External Leak on stern gland

[surekandoo]

Hi all,

My stern gland has developed an external oil leak.

The gland consists of a brass tube with an oil seal at each end, facing inwards on the inboard end, and outwards on the propellor end, next to the flexible rubber tube attached to the bulkead exit through the hull. The space between the two seals is fed with normal engine oil from a small reservoir.

I had noticed that oil usage was starting to increase but not alarmingly so after the boat was launched this year. However on the last trip I noticed an oil slick over the stern when mooring up, and the reservoir was empty.

Obviously the seals will have to be renewed (last done about 6 years ago), and this means haul out, after which the job is quite straightforward. I even have spare seals.

I have a trip planned with a friend on the 25th July don't want to do the remedial work before then, and my question is this: How much risk of internal seal failure and consequent water ingress am I running to do short coastal hops with minimum engine usage?

Also could I ameliorate the situation be using thicker oil e.g. EP90 or 140 in the reservoir?

Thanks

 

[Tranona]

Don't think your il slick will rival the Torrey Canyon, so just keep it topped up. It is the outer seal that has gone but the inner seal will continue to keep the water out of the boat.

 

[paulajayne]

Can you move weight to the bow to allow the stern tube be worked on?

Slightly thicker oil will slow it down.

 

[surekandoo]

That's a cracking idea! The boat spends most of it's life in Essex mud, so that's worth a try between tides. Many thanks.

 

[scottie]

Surely the seals should have the lip sides toward the oil to contain it having the outside one lip outward will stop water ingress but allow oil escape which is what you are getting

 

[Tranona]

That's a cracking idea! The boat spends most of it's life in Essex mud, so that's worth a try between tides. Many thanks.

no need to do that as the seal is inside. You could probably replace the seal in the water if you jam a rag around the shaft when you remove the seal from the shaft. However to get the seal off you have to disconnect the shaft from the engine, remove the coupling and either push the shaft back or move the engine forward.

So, really a major out of water job.

 

[Plum]

Hi all,

My stern gland has developed an external oil leak.

The gland consists of a brass tube with an oil seal at each end, facing inwards on the inboard end, and outwards on the propellor end, next to the flexible rubber tube attached to the bulkead exit through the hull. The space between the two seals is fed with normal engine oil from a small reservoir.

I had noticed that oil usage was starting to increase but not alarmingly so after the boat was launched this year. However on the last trip I noticed an oil slick over the stern when mooring up, and the reservoir was empty.

Obviously the seals will have to be renewed (last done about 6 years ago), and this means haul out, after which the job is quite straightforward. I even have spare seals.

I have a trip planned with a friend on the 25th July don't want to do the remedial work before then, and my question is this: How much risk of internal seal failure and consequent water ingress am I running to do short coastal hops with minimum engine usage?

Also could I ameliorate the situation be using thicker oil e.g. EP90 or 140 in the reservoir?

Thanks

I would not touch it until after your summer cruises then lift out to do the job properly and safely. In the meantime, if the oil level continues to drop when you are not on board, just put a clamp on the feed tube and a label on the ignition switch to remind you to remove the clamp.

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