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Zeus Pod Shaft Seal Leak

Discussion in 'Props, Shafts & Seals' started by Rick Vicik, Jul 15, 2019.

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  1. Rick Vicik

    Rick Vicik New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2017
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    4
    Location:
    Seattle, Washington, USA
    My 2014 Sabre with Zeus pods has never required more than a slight topping up of gear lube between annual oil changes. A few weeks ago it suddenly started consuming 1/2 quart per hour on each pod. The pods were disassembled by a Zeus technician who found that the lube was leaking from the shaft seals. After the seals were replaced, gear lube consumption returned to normal. What concerns me is that it started so suddenly on both pods and the technician couldn't any evidence of what caused it.

    The possible causes I found from internet searches don't seem to apply. The shafts were not scored and I have never let the lube reservoirs run dry. It is possible that both pods got fishing line wrapped around their shafts, damaged the seals and then fell off, but that doesn't seem likely. I was only an hour away from the dock when it failed and didn't see anyone fishing along the way.

    Any information or advice will be appreciated.
  2. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Ship Happens. :rolleyes::rolleyes:
  3. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Jul 11, 2005
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    Fort Lauderdale
    How long has it been since you used it the previous time and ran everything? Either everything was sitting without use for a long time and the seals took a set, or a lot of growth causing vibration which caused the seals to leak.
  4. Rick Vicik

    Rick Vicik New Member

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    Oct 22, 2017
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    Location:
    Seattle, Washington, USA
    Those things could cause both sides to fail at the same time, but it was only about a week between running 4 hours at 22kt with no lube loss and not being able to run 12 minutes without significant loss. Also, I didn't feel any difference in vibration between the 2 cases and the props didn't have much growth or obvious damage when they hauled it. I should have asked them to check the props for imbalance.
  5. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Location:
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    I find it extremely strange that both pods started leaking oil at the same time. Where you in very shallow water and kicking up a lot of silt or sand?
  6. Rick Vicik

    Rick Vicik New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2017
    Messages:
    4
    Location:
    Seattle, Washington, USA
    I find it strange as well. We crossed 2 places where the depth finder got to ~20' on the run that failed, but I went slow in those places because I wanted to be able to stop quickly. The boat draws just under 4'. If other people find that seal life is about 5 years, I will be happy to replace them at that interval to ensure peace of mind.