johns
New member
the stern tube on my boat has one big nut and it is leaking .if i tighten it up it starts to overheat and smoke .can the packing be replaced while the boat is stil in the water if so how
leaking stern tube
- Thread starter johns
- Start date
Chris_Stannard
New member
Short answer is no but you can do it in one tide on piles. There is a public set at Warsash, another on the public hard at Hamble and some yacht clubs have them. If you do go on the piles, take a halyard from the masthead to the other side if you can to ewnsure the boat does not fall over. And don not go too far onto the hard standing in case the nexttide is not as high as the one you went ashore on.
To get the old packing out try to get hold of some dentists picks, you know the ones they use to root about your teeth and gums, and some long nosed pliers. you should replace the packing ever couple of years any way. In most cases there will be three turns of packing so do make sure you get them all out for best results and when replacing the packing, cut each turn on a slant, very sharp knife or Stanley knife needed, and stagger the joins round the shaft.
Chris Stannard
To get the old packing out try to get hold of some dentists picks, you know the ones they use to root about your teeth and gums, and some long nosed pliers. you should replace the packing ever couple of years any way. In most cases there will be three turns of packing so do make sure you get them all out for best results and when replacing the packing, cut each turn on a slant, very sharp knife or Stanley knife needed, and stagger the joins round the shaft.
Chris Stannard
longjohnsilver
Well-known member
Chris, I agree with all that you say but it is possible to do the job afloat provided you have the new packing ready cut, although I would probably leave one ring of the old in place.
BTW if you had smoke coming off and overheated the shaft you may find that you already have some fairly serious wear, worth checking next time you get lifted out. Whatever you do make sure that you don't overtighten the stern gland after repacking, better to have too much water coming in to start with rather than overheat it again.
BTW if you had smoke coming off and overheated the shaft you may find that you already have some fairly serious wear, worth checking next time you get lifted out. Whatever you do make sure that you don't overtighten the stern gland after repacking, better to have too much water coming in to start with rather than overheat it again.
mtb
New member
just as a top up to the first post
Once you get it undone you had better take a good look to see if you shaft has been worn at the point of contact re seals and shaft .
one drip per min is what you should aim for but you would be well advised to allow a bit of running in time. Has it got a greaser if so don't over do it .
Modern Teflon packings are very good and don't need as much lubrication as old asbestos / graphite ones from Crane Packings ( slough trading estate , they used to sell the posh packing pullers which really make the job a little better ) Try the metal disgorgers for fishing just bend the ends to suit or 2mm welding wire.
when you take the old seals out count the rings and replace with the same amount wrap the seals around a tube of the same dia, as your shaft to set the diameter also grease lightly with silicon grease as it all helps with the running it process.
Clean out the stuffing box to make sure all debris is out .
Then take your time running it in allow water to pass a few drips or so , stop engine after a while put your hand on to test temp warm is fine but hot you already know that .
Cheers
Mick
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/boats
I want a big steel ex trawler / tug v / cheap or swap for tug
Once you get it undone you had better take a good look to see if you shaft has been worn at the point of contact re seals and shaft .
one drip per min is what you should aim for but you would be well advised to allow a bit of running in time. Has it got a greaser if so don't over do it .
Modern Teflon packings are very good and don't need as much lubrication as old asbestos / graphite ones from Crane Packings ( slough trading estate , they used to sell the posh packing pullers which really make the job a little better ) Try the metal disgorgers for fishing just bend the ends to suit or 2mm welding wire.
when you take the old seals out count the rings and replace with the same amount wrap the seals around a tube of the same dia, as your shaft to set the diameter also grease lightly with silicon grease as it all helps with the running it process.
Clean out the stuffing box to make sure all debris is out .
Then take your time running it in allow water to pass a few drips or so , stop engine after a while put your hand on to test temp warm is fine but hot you already know that .
Cheers
Mick
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/boats
I want a big steel ex trawler / tug v / cheap or swap for tug