Packing (Stern) Gland - How Tight Is Too Tight ?

[sneuman]

I was getting a fair amount of leaking from my stern gland recently, tightened it down so that it was tight, but not real tight. That stopped the dripping but got me to thinking how tight is too tight?

[Vasco]

Are you talking about a stuffing box or a rudder gland?

[JB]

You need some leakage lad! Leakage - a few drops a minute, otherwise loosen her up, of course if you are really brave, when you have her under power, put your hand on the gland (aaaarrrrggghhhh!!!!!), but watch out, and if the gland is hot, then too tight, and back her off a wee bit!

[over40pirate]

Don't you love it. A part on a boat thats designed to leak!
One of the best things I did to my boat was to install a dripless stuffing box.

[Roy M]

Didn't we just beat this to death last week? Soo, how tight should the stuffing box be.?

[Alan Wheeler]

Yes we did, so what's your point???

[seafox]

Yea ha, another fight about to happen

Alan, take another asprin for that leg

[Roy M]

No point, no problem. Thanks for clarifying.

[Alan Wheeler]

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a shot at you. I just didn't understand your point. Have you a question someone can answer? or can I direct you to that thread? or??

[Roy M]

Alan, I respect your judgement too much to think that you are guilty of cheap shots. I simply haven't been a participant for very long in these fori to realize they are so dynamic. Last week's news is just that. No problem, now I know, and I am not offended, in the least. Please, keep up the marvelous work!

[seafox]

Next contender please......

[exfishnz]

Originally Posted by seafox

Next contender please......

If it's against those qld catty boys then I'm always up for a "pow wow"

[Jerry Cox]

The stern gland should be tightened to allow one drip every20 or so seconds. Do not make the mistake of over tightening...the water lubricates the packing material...I recommend Teflon treated packing.
Also set up the gland and then run the engine...stop and moniter the drips...you sometimes need a couple of goes to get it right. If all is well it should last a good while. If you cant get consistant results..check the stuffing material and the face of the shaft on which it bears. Cheers..Jerry Cox

[dyoung]

Hey Guys so glad I found you on the web......As a novice please forgive the obvious. Can anyone advise me please?
Just picked up a twin engine De Groote built Cruiser (South of France) with duel Stern Glands (obviously!). Having run her after a two year lay over, the Port Stern Gland is leaking - not badly but there constantly - the Starboard gland is dry as a bone. Grease is fed from two hand tightened 'pistons' located in the engine bay. The starboard feed is full and the screw down’’ nut is high and tightened down. The port 'feed'' however, is almost screwed down as far as it can go. I removed the piston from within the housing and repacked half way with the correct grease. When I began tightening this down it continued to go back to its original low point without much resistance and the gland continued to leak although not as badly. Where am I going wrong?
The 'pistons'' which I am sure you are familiar with - have a nut attached to a screw thread which is attached to the plunger inside the casing. At the base of the casing (where a copper tube leads to the Stern gland) there is a small tap (if this is correct description) I am not sure what the function of this is? If opened when compressing this leaks grease which is probably normal - but what is its function and am I doing something wrong when trying to get grease to the stern gland.
Can it be that the plunger inside the casing is perished and grease is coming back over the top rather than being forced downwards?

Appreciate any help please and again thanks- Dave Young

[svcattales]

Originally Posted by sneuman

I was getting a fair amount of leaking from my stern gland recently, tightened it down so that it was tight, but not real tight. That stopped the dripping but got me to thinking how tight is too tight?

Have you tried "dripless packing?" I used it in my monohull and it worked great. The stuff has the consistency of playdough and you roll it in your hands until it takes the shape of a worm that is long enough to wrap around prop shaft. Sandwich the "worm" between two layers of teflon packing and tighten packing nut until it stops leaking. The stuff is so slippery, you don't need water leaking to keep it cool. I've put my hand on the stuffing box while running and it stays cool. Having a dry bilge prevents odors and saves bilge pumps.