leaking stern gland

[simon_34]

Hi forum

May I just start by saying how much I appreciate everyones help so far.

I have enclosed a picture of our boats stern gland. when the engine is running the vibrations cause it to leak considerably. I should think I will have to re-pack it but I want to wait until it is lifted out. Is there anything I can do to slow up the leaking. There are four jubilee clips one is loose on the main shaft. How tight should I do them all up I am worried I may over tighten them

thanks

 

[stevebirch2002]

Looks like the loose jubilee is there to stop the shaft falling out if it loosens from the clamp on teh gearbox flang, this should be more forward and tight. I reckon it is an oil filled one by the looks of the oil tube leading to it. Trace the pipe and see if it is attached to a gravity fed oil bath. If not then it may be a grease tube and may need squirting some more grease in. If standard packing gland then perhaps a wee tightening of the packing nut. Hope this helps.

 

[simon_34]

thanks, yes that makes sense, the white tube is a grease on and has a unit that you turn to push grease into it. I have been doing that, it is possible that it is blocked but I am going to check this by checking for movement in the pipe

 

[Pye_End]

Or it may be a Vetus type water lubricated gland. Where does the yellow pipe with the red mark go back to?

In any case, it is unlikely by the look of it that it is a 're-pack with grease' gland, and either it is leaking through one of the seals or through perished rubber by the looks of your photo. If you can identify the gland then you may be able to get spares.

Also you need to look at the engine vibration. Are the engine mounts still servicable? Is there a flexible coupling? Is the cutless bearing ok?

Edit. - sorry -you have answered half of this already now. Posts crossed.

 

[Saddletramp]

[ QUOTE ]
but I am going to check this by checking for movement in the pipe

[/ QUOTE ]

Can you take the end off the gland to make sure grease is getting through alright.

You need to check out the vibration. I had a loose engine mount at the rear that was causing the stern gland to leak.

 

[Spyro]

The vibrations may well be a problem but most engine will vibrate to some extent, you don't say what engine it is. It looks like there is a jubilee clip between the lock nut and the packing nut? not sure what that is doing there. .The jubilee clips are there to seal the gland tube (gaitor) onto the stern tube and stuffing box I would suggest that is not the cause of your leak.
Have you tried loosening the lock nut and tightening the packing nut up? Also it could be that the grease in the tube has hardened and not allowing any into the box. Be careful if you remove the tube water may well start flowing in through the hole.

As said before the nut on the shaft is a fail safe for loosing the shaft and prop should the shaft-gearbox coupling become seperated.

 

[simon_34]

Thanks everyone - I am at work at the moment and I can't remember engine number but it is an old Volvo 22 hp in a Westerly centaur ( 25yrs old). I haven't tried anything yet but I will this weekend

 

[Kawasaki]

Simon, I have just fitted a new gland to me mobo.
Plus I have repaired / re packed one on a yacht.
Can't see your piccie!!
Have right clicked etc.
Would like to see what set up You have . maybe I can throw some light on the subject.
Cheers
K

 

[simon_34]

Hi K

here is the link to the picture, copy it into your browser

thanks

http://www.stabikes.org.uk/simon/engine3.jpg

 

[Kawasaki]

PM sent.

 

[Spyro]

Some good info HERE
and HERE

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
PM sent.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is it a secret??

as far as I can tell, the cream tube is from the greaser. The yellow "wire" doesnt seem to be doing anything - is it a pointer? or bonding to the anode or something, and has it snapped off?

also wondered what the middle jubilee clip, (near 1), is doing, apart from preventing the thing which screws into the packing, screwing into the packing.

If it was mine, I would want to screw "thing" in to tighten the packing... that looks like it would stop the leak.

Mine is a different style, but leaks from a similar point when I loosen the "thing".