No greaser on the stuffing box

[madmat99]

Pretty much what the title says.
Posted a few weeks ago about a damaged pitted prop shaft. Thanks for all the advice on thus. It’s now in the shop being filled with stainless weld and remachined.
But looking at the stuffing box there is no way of greasing once it’s closed up and in position.
Is it normal to have no greaser?
The gland packing I took out was bone dry and that’s more than likely why the shafts f@£&ed.
Any advice pointers appreciated

Thanks

Mat

 

[Tranona]

A greaser is not really necessary if you grease the packing when you install it or use Teflon packing. The grease is used to fill behind the packing to stop water from leaking through when the shaft is not turning. The packing is water cooled and lubricated, hence the need for a small drip. The pitting may well be local crevice corrosion caused by stagnant water trapped in the packing when the shaft is not turning - that is most of the time.

 

[NormanS]

It's not essential. I worked for years with pumps which had conventional packing glands, and IIRC none of them had greasers. Personally, I prefer graphite impregnated packing, and cover it with grease when fitting. The gland in my boat does however have a greaser, and I give it a turn when leaving the boat after a trip.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Graphite impregnated packing doesn't need grease for lubrication. Lubrication is by a combination of the graphite and water for cooling. I heard of one character who filled his stern tube with grease - I would imagine it overheated somewhat after that.

 

[Spyro]

I don't have a greaser on mine.

 

[PCUK]

Graphite being most noble in the scale corrodes everything below it - eventually!