Is my stern gland greaser blocked?

Refueler said:
You are supposed to use Waterproof Grease ........... yes there is such a beast ! basically it does not emulsify as general purpose grease does.

A good grease for shaft seals is actually Trailer bearing grease .... no need to pay Marine prices !!

I do get grease in the bilge if I put too much - but that's because my shaft tube is long. The outer is cooled etc. by water ...
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It doesn't matter if it does get emulsified, the amount actually in the bearing is so tiny it is easily refreshed from the more than adequately-sized greaser.
 
If the copper(?) Pipe is blocked by hardened grease, it might be worth a try to hang it up and waft a heating torch over it. That should soften or melt the grease, and it will drip out.
 
NormanS said:
If the copper(?) Pipe is blocked by hardened grease, it might be worth a try to hang it up and waft a heating torch over it. That should soften or melt the grease, and it will drip out.
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And the Academy Award goes to.... NormanS!

I took it round to a friend with a workshop, clamp, blowtorch and air-pressure gun. Ten minutes later, one very hot and very unblocked copper tube, with a satisfying puddle of steaming grease.

Many thanks all!

Crisp
 
Captain Crisp said:
And the Academy Award goes to.... NormanS!

I took it round to a friend with a workshop, clamp, blowtorch and air-pressure gun. Ten minutes later, one very hot and very unblocked copper tube, with a satisfying puddle of steaming grease.

Many thanks all!

Crisp
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Pleased to help. And now you have the pleasure of knowing that you were able to sort it yourself. Sounds like a softer grease is called for.
 
Poignard said:
It doesn't matter if it does get emulsified, the amount actually in the bearing is so tiny it is easily refreshed from the more than adequately-sized greaser.
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Go tell the shaft seal manufacturers ....

How often do you give a turn to your greaser then ? I do it maybe once a day if running all day ... but usually at end of a session when engine stopped. So that shaft is turning in emulsified grease if I do as you ...

Sorry - I think better to use the recc'd .......
 
Refueler said:
Go tell the shaft seal manufacturers ....

How often do you give a turn to your greaser then ? I do it maybe once a day if running all day ... but usually at end of a session when engine stopped. So that shaft is turning in emulsified grease if I do as you ...

Sorry - I think better to use the recc'd .......
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'


Shaft seal manufacturer?? It's a traditional packed gland, FFS!

With a white-metalled bearing.

The little 10hp engine runs at less than 3000rpm.

The emulsified grease provides adequate lubrication and, very important, keeps it cooled.

I want the grease doing what it's supposed to do. Not sitting in a bloody pipe going hard!

It's been 18 years since I installed the gland/bearing and when I looked at the white-metalled bearing and the shaft the year before last, there wasn't a wear mark to be seen.

So thank you kindly for your doubtless well-intended opinion but, if it's all the same to you, I'll carry on as I am!
 
Poignard said:
'


Shaft seal manufacturer?? It's a traditional packed gland, FFS!

With a white-metalled bearing.

The little 10hp engine runs at less than 3000rpm.

The emulsified grease provides adequate lubrication and, very important, keeps it cooled.

I want the grease doing what it's supposed to do. Not sitting in a bloody pipe going hard!

It's been 18 years since I installed the gland/bearing and when I looked at the white-metalled bearing and the shaft the year before last, there wasn't a wear mark to be seen.

So thank you kindly for your doubtless well-intended opinion but, if it's all the same to you, I'll carry on as I am!
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Shaft Seals - the manufacturers and installers will advise you to use Waterproof grease in a marine environment.

If the same seal is not in a marine environment - then that advise will not be there. You use common over counter grease.

As to FFS and rest of your post - I shall just put it down to a bad day on your part.

Do you use emulsified grease in wheel bearings by any chance ??? If you noticed your trailer bearings emulsified - would you continue to just tow it without thought to remedy ?
 
Refueler said:
Shaft Seals - the manufacturers and installers will advise you to use Waterproof grease in a marine environment.

If the same seal is not in a marine environment - then that advise will not be there. You use common over counter grease.

As to FFS and rest of your post - I shall just put it down to a bad day on your part.

Do you use emulsified grease in wheel bearings by any chance ??? If you noticed your trailer bearings emulsified - would you continue to just tow it without thought to remedy ?
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'

Here is a photo of it.

stern_gland.jpg

Where might I find the manufacturers' name so that I can seek their advice?
 
Poignard said:
'

Here is a photo of it.

View attachment 92210

Where might I find the manufacturers' name so that I can seek their advice?
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of7BpvI.gif
 
Refueler said:
of7BpvI.gif
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'

I wonder how long it willl be before it begins to dawn on you that I'm taking the piss.

I know perfectly well where it was manufactured it because I had it made to order by T. Norris Ltd , Isleworth, and white-metalled to my specification by Johnson's Ltd, York.

I also know who installed it. Me!

And, to drive the message home (finally I hope) I do know how to maintain my yacht and her machinery that I have owned for 23 years .

But then most people would expect a former MN marine engineer to be able to do that, wouldn't they?



stalin.jpg
 
As a footnote to all this... I put everything back, loaded up the greaser and it still didn't come out!
However, after examination, I reinserted the piston after very carefully using a knife to ensure that the seal had entered the tube absolutely perfectly symmetrically and... It worked!
So...
 
Boater Sam said:
You are entitled to your view.
I prefer fixing rather than replacing, I restore antiques.
However for the minimal cost involved, I consider having to clean out the old barrel, find and make a washer which may or may not work, to be the wrong way to suggest to a boater who may not have the skills or desire to get covered in grease which is a health hazard.

So sorry to offend your sensibilities but I thought this was an open forum without members who were large waving sunflowers. I am certainly entitled to express my views as well as yourself.
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If your views were correct. The only health hazard from grease is if you get it in your eyes. https://lucasoil.com/pdf/SDS_Marine-Grease.pdf Section 4

You could always do as most mechanics in these enlightened times do and wear gloves.


NITRILE-GLOVES.jpg
 
Mine over the years had become packed hard with compacted sold grease it was only solid in the last inch or two.
Disconnected copper pipe from stern gland and forced clean new grease into pipe.
Used small pointy bit of wire to dislodge any solid gunge in stern gland and reconnected .
As other have said turning the grease cap, produced a little grease oozing out of gland seal.
 
Captain Crisp said:
As a footnote to all this... I put everything back, loaded up the greaser and it still didn't come out!
However, after examination, I reinserted the piston after very carefully using a knife to ensure that the seal had entered the tube absolutely perfectly symmetrically and... It worked!
So...
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GREAT .... nice one.

Welcome to PRACTICAL Boat Owner !!
 
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