Burping the Baby (Volvo)

[Norman_E]

I have a Volvo shaft seal, which I greased before launch with Volvo's blue grease. At launch I went below to burp it, but though I squeezed it as hard as I could no water came out. I motored to my berth, which included motoring in circles for 20 minutes, waiting for the marina to tell me which berth I could have. Everything was bone dry. When I return to the boat do I need to make an effort to burp it enough to get some water to come out, to prove that any air in the shaft tube has been removed?

 

[Sheff]

Did you put a lot of grease in?

Can only think that if the space between seals has become packed with grease then that is what is stopping the water getting through.

 

[jerryat]

Yes, you really must burp it. I have a similar problem some years (age I expect!) so now tend to use a pair of adjustable pliers to grip and pull the seal upwards. This in no way damages the seal and never fails.

If you think about it, there are two lip seals in the Volvo gland. The front one is lubricated by the grease you squeeze in, but there is nothing to lubricate the rear one if you don't get the water to it.

Ok, it won't leak for a season or three, but the wear will take place and then you're relying on the front seal only.

Try the pliers/grips method and make sure the water comes out. As another poster mentioned, you moght have put more grease in than strictly necessary, but that's a hell of a lot better than too little. It does mean however, that you have to pull the seal up harder than usual to allow the air to be displaced by water.

 

[Stoshak]

I dried out last week and replaced the Volvo Seal. Naturally applied lots of grease, and it needed a v. hard squeeze to produce water.
Yes, I think you do need to see water, otherwise seal will overheat.

 

[bobgoode]

try the Volvo recommended method; hands linked underneath the seal and a strong pull upwards.

 

[Norman_E]

Thanks everyone. I will have another go. Problem is, it is hard to get two hands to it. For what its worth both seals have been greased because I undid the clamp and slid it forward on the shaft, and lightly greased the shaft, as well as getting some grease in from the front.

 

[damo]

I thought I was going to have trouble, because I can't get 2 hands on mine, but a couple of fingers under the seal and a pull upwards produced a nice burp and trickle of water.

 

[jerryat]

>>>>For what its worth both seals have been greased because I undid the clamp and slid it forward on the shaft, and lightly greased the shaft, as well as getting some grease in from the front. <<<

Ahaa! There's your problem. The water pressure is relatively small against the seal (it's not far underwater after all) and it won't readily displace the grease you've now got on the shaft.

My view is that if you can't get the water to burp out with heaving up or adjustable pliers, you should leave it for a while until you've motored for a few hours. Then try again. The grease will adequately lubricated the lip seal during that time.

But don't do the same next year!! The rear (outer) seal is 'expected' (designed?) to be water lubricated, otherwise you'd have to dry out to re-grease every few hours!!