Anyone use a Volvo seal on drying mooring?

Gordon

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Does 'burping' them everytime cause problems?......what would happen if you forgot on one occasion?

I am on drying berth and have a traditional grease
stuffing box type at the moment
 
I had a Volvo seal on a mud drying marina mooring & just burped it before going out.The guy who has the boat still has the same seal OK after 10 years.I asked on the Hunter website(some years ago) if anyone knew of or experienced a Volvo seal failing(Volvo say replace after5-7 years).No one knew of any problems.
There have been several threads re Volvo shaft seal & the consensus is that it is one of Volvo's best products.
 
As others will testify, it's a great product. However, the question you asked was what would happen if you forgot to burp it. The answer is that, without the lubricating/cooling effect of water, the seal lips could overheat and be damaged, leading to dripping.
 
Before it does any damage, the noise would tell you something is wrong - forgot to burp last time I re-launched and you know about it very quickly! But no harm done.

If it is possible you might consider a water feed into the tube from the engine.
 
I had a Volvo Seal in my boat on a drying mooring, and it was no problem. Forgot to burp occasionally but it was OK. I took to keeping the engine 'ignition' key by the seal so as to remember.
 
I changed mine from a Volvo seal to a Tides marine with a water feed because I would have to lift the aft cabin mattress and a couple of covers to get at the seal to burp it every time I dry out.

Now, I dont have to worry about it.

Tides marine seal quite expensive, but well engineered.
 
If the stern tube is short then no need to burp the seal. Just keep it well greased. Beneteau fit an air vent in the tube but its not really needed. Volvo seals last for years. Simple and not too expensive.
 
When you take the ground, mud goes up the stern tube.....
Grease & Sand make a very nice paste to grind your seal away with. Add a touch of non concentricity and you have a leak path. Ask me how I know.
 
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