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Dripless shafts

Discussion in 'Props, Shafts & Seals' started by Boomer, May 28, 2018.

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  1. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    How do you tighten them up to keep them from leaking?
  2. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Hmmmm. Which brand of dripless shaft seals?
  3. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    Sorry, no name on them...will try to get a pic to see if that helps...there is a big stainless collar on the shaft the pushes up against the rubber boot
  4. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Get a pic. Go to the P.S.S. Website and see if those are the ones you have. If so jiggle them from side to side and see if the leaking stops.
  5. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Sounds like PSS. Sometimes you get dirt in the face seal and as J suggested it can be cleared. Also make sure the seal isnt loose and thwt there is enough pressure from the bellows
  6. SeaLion

    SeaLion Senior Member

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    Does sound like PSS. Ditto what Capt J and Pascal said. Also, did the ring slip away from the bellows? How old is the seal assembly? It might be time to replace it.
  7. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    Pic too large to download...if I move the bellows, a good amt of water rushes in...nothing I want to keep as is
  8. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    Pic too large to download...if I move the bellows, a good amt of water comes in...nothing I want to keep as is..do t know the age of the seals...just recently purchased her
  9. MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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    What do you mean by move the bellows? Compressing them or moving sideways? If compressing how much?
    If moving bellows where is the water coming in?
  10. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Cleaning the PSS is crudely explained here;


    The shaft log hose is the bellows refereed to. It has an spiral spring in it that keeps pressure against the stainless ring.
    If cleaning and polishing the contact surfaces does not stop the leaks, loosening the steel collar and applying more pressure to the bellows may correct some last leaks.
    Mark the position of the collar on the shaft with a Sharpie or tape.
    There usually are two allen screws per hole, remove the outer screw and just loosen the inner screw a half turn.
    By hand or with a small block of wood, lightly tap evenly (around the shaft) the steel collar aft 1/4".
    Snug allen screws, verify just 1/4" movement, tighten allen screws, install locking allen screws and pour a cold one.

    You don't want to get carried aweigh with to much pressure, small adjustments at a time. If you end up applying over an inch of adjustment against the bellows, something is wrong.
  11. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    Rubber bellows is barely touching stainless collar...if I move the bellows around at the collar, a bunch of water flows in
  12. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    There is not a lot of pressure against the ring.
    Supper flat & clean surfaces. The water acts like the sealant and lube. To much pressure; the water may not evenly coat the surfaces.
    Do you have any idea how old the system is? PYI recommends replacing the bellows every 5-6 years. They could get stiff.

    Check out the install video to get an idea how these work.
    http://www.pyiinc.com/videos.html
  13. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    What is the hose out the top? I figure it is for water flow but the fitting the hose attaches to leaks when bent...i assume it is plastic hose barb?
  14. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Bent???? It seems like it is blocked and melted, which probably overheated and ruined the seal. You really NEED to hire a mechanic that knows what they're doing to fix all of these issues. It's the cooling line that the motor pumps water through to cool the dripless seal.
  15. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    I concur. A dripless seal failure can result in a sinking very quickly. Last time I replaced mine I thought about going back to the old packed seals....
  16. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I'll be honest. Ever since the GFO packing came out, I'd rather have normal shaft seals.
  17. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    The small hose on top (5/15 to 3/8") is for raw water from your engine to ensure water is injected just behind the contact surfaces of the shaft seal.
    This small hose does get restricted or clogged. Always good to check it when servicing the engines raw water pump impeller.

    Brass is not suitable here. Marlon and Bronze are not available in this small size.
    Sadly, that just leaves nylon. Brittle and low melting temp, it does need to be looked after.
    I find that when people step on or pull on the hose, this light plastic fitting takes the abuse and fails.
    Replacement should be easy to find at Home D.
    BTW, a poorly installed hose my cause some weight to be applied to the log seal and keep it from sitting correctly.

    Take the hose off, start engine. Ensure water comes from the hose.
    Make sure water leaks in from the shaft seal thru this lil fitting. If not, correct.
  18. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    I think I might next time I need to replace my Tides. I had PSS intialially
  19. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    Poor choice of words...flexed....it is a rubber type hose barb
  20. Boomer

    Boomer Senior Member

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    Used some wet dry sandpaper and it has stopped leaking...still need to replace that barb..after a closer look, it appears to be cracked at the base