Shaft Seal

[ChrisB177]

I own a Beneteau 9 Series. my shaft seal appears to have a hose leading to it and attached via clamps. I am pretty sure that hose then re-emerges into the engine bay and then is attached to the engine close to the exhaust outlet. Everyone I speak to tells me something different. i.e that hose is a breather, that hose is a water feed to lubricate the seal. Some people tell me with this set up I need to burp it of air and others say you don't. Also greasing some say you need to once a year by squashing a grease filled straw between the seal and the shaft others say you don't as the seal could be damaged doing this. If you do then what depth into the seal are you looking at greasing. Can anyone give me a definitive answer please.

 

[Tranona]

Sounds like it is a water feed off the engine, in which case it does not need "burping" to expel air because you have a continuous feed of water when the engine is running.

As to whether it needs greasing, you need to find out what kind of seal it is. It is probably a lip seal type. If it is solid rubber and bullet shaped then it is a Volvo type which does need greasing. If the seals are in a housing on a short length of rubber hose, it is probably a Vetus - see pages 40-45 of the catalogue on www.vetus.com

There should be maintenance instructions with the boat's documents, but if not then you need to ascertain the exact type and get them from the manufacturer.

 

[bluejasper2]

benateau series 9 its a volvo seal needs burping after lifting in and greasing once a year its in owner manuel also recomends changing every 5 years