How often replace a PSS shaft seal?

[Tim Good]

I put a Michigan Marine PSS seal on my boat in 2015 and since I’ve sailed around 6000 miles. No idea of the engine hours. Anyway it looks fine on inspection but whats the general life span of these seals before i should consider replacing as a matter of course?

 

[doug748]

Here you are:

https://www.shaftseal.com/pss-maintenance-kit.html

The actual seal does not seem to wear but you should check it for physical damage or corrosion whilst you are at it. I changed my bellows last season after 11 years and the length and appearance of the old one was unchanged from new. Won't bother again.

 

[vyv_cox]

Mine is around 10 years old. I changed the rotating seal (well, just reversed it ) when I found it pitted, probably because I did not fresh water flush it before leaving it over winter. Shown almost at the bottom of this page http://coxeng.co.uk/stern-gear/stern-glands/ Otherwise it is original and all appears to be in good condition. Like Doug748's, my bellows appears to be in good condition, no visible cracks.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I also have a PSS seal that has been in place since launch in 2009 and other than the stainless rotor slipping along the shaft and reducing the pressure on the seal I have had no real issues. The rubber bellows I visually inspect several times a year and all is found in order and no cause for concern.

 

[BabaYaga]

I installed a PSS in 2006 and have had no problems. But I am fairly sure there was a recommendation from the manufacturer to change the bellows after 7 years, at least at that time. I have not bothered, though, following advice from where I bought it.

 

[superheat6k]

I think PSS say ~ 7 years also, but when I changed them on my Turbo 36 they were ~ 15 years old, and the faces looked awful, but they did not drip a drop. I only replaced them because I had to change the cutless bearings so it seemed prudent to replace these at the same time.

Definitely suggest fitting a jubilee clip next to the rotor. Not that mine ever slipped, but if they did then the boat would sink, and this did happen to a boat belonging to Anthony Foulkes owner of Foulkes / Riverside Boatyard (the Old Barge).

 

[temptress]

I put a Michigan Marine PSS seal on my boat in 2015 and since I’ve sailed around 6000 miles. No idea of the engine hours. Anyway it looks fine on inspection but whats the general life span of these seals before i should consider replacing as a matter of course?

I fitted a PSS seal in 2015 also. Since then I've done over 30K miles. Never had an issue with the seal. I have been carry a complete replacement as a spare just in case. So far not needed it. Everything seems fine. I inspect it every other month or so when I do an oil change and usually flush it by pulling the bellows a little.