Prestige 32 Volvo shaft seal - Leaking

[Bubblegtt]

15 litres of water in the bilge after a 4 hour trip from the port shaft seal. The starboard seal is fine, with only a table spoon of water underneath it.



This is a Volvo seal and possibly the original 14 year old one. From what I have read, it is water cooled. I have also read about burping and regreasing. Bought the boat a year ago and when it was put in the water for the sea trial, it certainly wasn't burped and as it's water cooled, does it need burping?

What are my options? Replace with the same Volvo type, or a different make/design?

 

[Tranona]

The burping is to expel trapped air, usually on installations that don't have a water feed, but rely on water coming up the stern tube. So not necessary for your boat. The leakage is worn lip seals that could be caused by lack of lubrication in the past or damage on the prop shaft where the seals are. more likely to be the former, so just replace with a new unit. Not bad life given that the maker suggests replacement every 7 years!

 

[Due South]

I had them changed to tides seals on my old prestige 36, far superior and you see them on most British built boats.

 

[Tranona]

I had them changed to tides seals on my old prestige 36, far superior and you see them on most British built boats.

Tides seals work in exactly the same way as Volvo seals but are more complex (and 3 times more expensive). Have advantages over other designs in larger sizes (larger than available for Volvo seals) which is why you see them on many boats instead of the older style stuffing boxes.

No reason in this case, though to change from the original.

 

[Bubblegtt]

Thanks for the replies guys. Done some investigation now (in-between decorating) and learnt enough to make a plan of action.

I watched some Tides Seals videos on YouTube and they do appear to be very good, but rather expensive.

I think that I may just fit a standard Volvo seal, or a.s.a.p. list a cheaper alternative made by orbitrade.

 

[Tranona]

Thanks for the replies guys. Done some investigation now (in-between decorating) and learnt enough to make a plan of action.

I watched some Tides Seals videos on YouTube and they do appear to be very good, but rather expensive.

I think that I may just fit a standard Volvo seal, or a.s.a.p. list a cheaper alternative made by orbitrade.

Go for the genuine article, or if you want to deviate look at a Radice seal. Made by the same people as the Volvo seal, but has the advantage of a greasing point which avoids trying to force grease along the shaft. Also has an air vent which makes sure there is no air in the bearing part of the seal.

 

[Bubblegtt]

Go for the genuine article, or if you want to deviate look at a Radice seal. Made by the same people as the Volvo seal, but has the advantage of a greasing point which avoids trying to force grease along the shaft. Also has an air vent which makes sure there is no air in the bearing part of the seal.

The Radice seal sounds like a great solution to burping and greasing. I guess that while I'm at it, I had better replace the starboard seal for peace of mind.

Still a zillion percent better than maintaining outdrives!!

Thanks for the great advice.