Shaft seal help - another 25mm Volvo one or...

[Sailing steve]

... something else like the Radice one or maybe one from Michigan Marine in Devon? Or something else altogether?

I have got a couple of light groves on the shaft where the ancient Volvo seal has been running but can move the shaft back a few mm in the coupling to use a smooth section when the new seal goes on. Never dry out so not bothered about having to burp regularly but if a water feed would extend the seal life then where do I plumb one from?

So the choice is come down to how long will the new one last and how tolerant it's going to be of movement with my 1GM10 bouncing it up and down.

Any experiences and advice appreciated.

 

[Plum]

... something else like the Radice one or maybe one from Michigan Marine in Devon? Or something else altogether?

I have got a couple of light groves on the shaft where the ancient Volvo seal has been running but can move the shaft back a few mm in the coupling to use a smooth section when the new seal goes on. Never dry out so not bothered about having to burp regularly but if a water feed would extend the seal life then where do I plumb one from?

So the choice is come down to how long will the new one last and how tolerant it's going to be of movement with my 1GM10 bouncing it up and down.

Any experiences and advice appreciated.

So if you can ensure the new seal runs on a new section of shaft and still allow for some fore and aft float of the shaft, and, you don't have an issue with burping, it's a straight choice between the Volvo or Radice seal. I have no problems at all with the Volvo seals as my last one was 15 years old when I changed it for a new VP one. Both these seals have a water lubricated bearing supporting the shaft. If you move to a different type of seal that is fully floating without that shaft support you may well run into problems with the shaft hitting the tube due to engine vibration if you have the wrong type of flexible coupling.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Poey50]

If you don't have much space between stern tube and coupling it may matter that the Radice is significantly longer than the Volvo in order to fit in the vent and the greasing port. This recently caught me out.

 

[Lightwave395]

My last Radice seal has lasted 4 years, including starting off with new mountings and what appeared good alignment (3YM30).
It was leaking when the boat was lifted out for the winter and there a slight grooves in what was a new shaft too,
I'm about to fit a new PSS seal this time.

 

[Moodysailor]

Those VP shaft seals are one of the best products they make, IMO. Simple, reliable, not silly money, and readily available.

If I were in your circumstances, I'd just get a VP one and move the shaft as you described.

 

[Gixer]

I couldn't get my old style stern gland to stop leaking due to my worn shaft so replaced it with a PSS.
Really happy with it. I also have a bouncy 1GM10 and not a drop of water gets past the seal. Interestingly the engine does bounce around more with this seal but not a problem.

 

[Moodysailor]

I couldn't get my old style stern gland to stop leaking due to my worn shaft so replaced it with a PSS.
Really happy with it. I also have a bouncy 1GM10 and not a drop of water gets past the seal. Interestingly the engine does bounce around more with this seal but not a problem.

If you had a stuffing box type seal then it would have been providing some shaft support, hence the extra movement you see now, as the PSS seal is a true floating seal and offers no support.

If you have a flexible coupling it is advised to remove these with the new setup, but if you are having no issues then sometimes best to leave well alone

 

[Gixer]

If you have a flexible coupling it is advised to remove these with the new setup, but if you are having no issues then sometimes best to leave well alone

Thanks Moodysailor, I didn't have a flexible coupling so was ok. I did have to slightly modify the engine box cover as one of the engine mounts touched the side ever so slightly when on idle.

 

[ditchcrawler]

Having had Volvo seals on several boats I have never had any problems with them. However on my Moody I had an old type oil fed seal which leaked.
Due to the access problems it would have been difficult to "burp" the Volvo seal so I fitted a Radiche type seal from ASAP with a permanent vent and an access screw for the grease which performed fine.

 

[Sailing steve]

Those VP shaft seals are one of the best products they make, IMO. Simple, reliable, not silly money, and readily available.

If I were in your circumstances, I'd just get a VP one and move the shaft as you described.

VP? Is that the Volvo one - or something else?

 

[Moodysailor]

VP? Is that the Volvo one - or something else?

Hi, yes VP = Volvo Penta