stern gland greaser

[Ardenfour]

Has anyone fitted a standard automotive type pump handle grease gun to facilitate lubricating the stern gland? I fancy fitting a grease nipple to the cap and connecting this by a tube to the grease gun mounted just under a cockpit locker ought to do the job, but any views on this?
thanks


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[rich]

Whats wrong whith the screw down grease gun, all brass or bronze mine work well.

<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.jersey-harbours.com

 

[Ardenfour]

I'm not familiar with this - is this a marine item? Only I have a grease gun knocking around the garage not doing anything

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[tugboat]

IMHO you'd be better to stick with the proper stern tube greaser. A conventional greasegun can produce high pressures which might be hard to contain. Also a proper greaser will give you feedback on whats happening at the other end.

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[nordic_ranger]

I fitted one a few years back using standard plumbing fittings and small bore copper pipe to an automotive type grease gun which I located in a locker. It works well.

Jim.

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[SlowlyButSurely]

I've used this method for the last twenty five years on my boats. It works well. The grease gun delivers far more grease than the screw down cap and the gland packing lasts for years.

I simply removed the cap from the stern gland and fitted a length of half inch plastic tubing which was a push fit on both the threaded tube on the stern gland and the grease gun. Very convenient. The grease gun was conveniently located in a locker. A couple of pumps every few hours keeps the stern gland well greased. I use ordinary grease form the motor factors.

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[supermalc]

The stern gland greaser on my boat unscrewed, 14bsp thread, and a grease nipple was a direct replacement....cost £0.40p. Only thing now, I could do with a larger grease gun. The shaft is fairly worn, so I like to apply a liberal amout of grease. Also greasing while moving is a lot easier.

<hr width=100% size=1>Malcolm.
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://geocities.com/malcsworld/>http://geocities.com/malcsworld/</A>
Take a look at my boating pages.

 

[Ardenfour]

Thanks to all who replied

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[Guest]

What happened to remote greaser fitting ? The tube coming from gland up to locker - olived to a threaded plate and large tube .... having a T bar rod screwed in to force grease down tube to the gland ????

I would imagine a car style pump handle type would be a pain ?? Better to go with the proper remote system as above. MOre compact and does the job fine.


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/searider/

 

[Guest]

Try this company ..... and they are in back of mags as well for contact - they will supply remote greaser solution ....

BTW - I have no connection to them ....

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tnorrismarine.co.uk/offers.php>http://www.tnorrismarine.co.uk/offers.php</A>


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/searider/

 

[Avocet]

If you can reach the point on the stern tube where you would want to attach the greaser reasonably easily, why not just screw a grease nipple into it permanently and take the grease gun away afterwards? Mine only seems to need greasing a couple of times each season so it's hardly worth having a grease gun on board all the time.

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[Ardenfour]

well, just how often and how much should a stern gland be greased? Probably a question I should have posted early on in this topic. If it only has to be done couple of times a season, then regular and easy access is not so crucial - views?

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[rich]

If your stern gland packing is done right you will only need to grease at the end of a trip,,,if it's leaking at standstill. you should not have to force it in to hard.

<hr width=100% size=1>http://www.jersey-harbours.com

 

[Guest]

IMHO - depends

Greasing depends on tighteness of compression ring, condition of packing etc.

IMHO setting up a system for a packing in good situation - ie at end of each trip a small squirt etc. is not a good idea.

I tend to look at things in worst possible scenario - especially with boats.

Should the packing / gland be in a difficult location - as typical, narrow tunnels .... then having to open up and apply a gun is not my idea of fun. A remote greaser as many have and designed for the job is a comfort - as I know I can fill the reservior easily, I can fill the gland if it starts to deterioate etc. etc.

My boat has a difficult to get at seal and is presently needing more turns of the greaser than ideal .... once the seal is nipped up - then it should improve - but still I will be happier knowing that I have proved the advantage of the system installed.

Now I will be regailed with others posts telling me I am wrong .... sorry - but again its my opinion.


<hr width=100% size=1>Cheers Nigel http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/searider/

 

[seaesta]

Re: IMHO - depends

My Westerley 25 has a remote grease nipple with a plastic tube to the stern gland. This has worked well for at least 20 years. I put in packing every 5 years or so - because I feel I should rather than because I need to. There is no danger of overtightening or overheating - everything is very slack and runs cold. I simply squirt in several shots of grease on leaving the boat - or every few hours on a long trip. Grease comes out of both ends (bit like a bad curry). Only problem is grease in the bilge which has to be spooned out occaisoionally.
I would fit one !
Martin

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[Geordie]

On the conventional greaser I was taught to give a turn or two on the handle until a reasonably firm resistance was felt. This was to be done before starting the engine and every hour that the shaft was running. What is a reasonably firm resistance? That is soon determined with a bit of practice. This keeps the packing in good order and it will last longer.

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[roger]

What about a deep water seal instead?

I've now done 3 seasons and (I blush to admit it) about 700 hours motoring with a deep water type seal bought from the Chandlers next to Yacht Club Mer du Nord in Dunkirk. It cost me about 90 quid and has caused me no problems whatsoever. It gets no attention except for flooding it when the boat goes in the water. The make is "Stopelo" and I think you can find it on the net.
The active bits are a graphite ring held in a rubber corrugated gaiter that presses on a Stailess steel disc round the prop shaft.
Because I'm a worryguts I bought a second one in the next year as I didnt know which spares I would need. It's still sitting in a locker somewhere? on the boat.

<hr width=100% size=1>Roger