Stern Gland Greaser

[Dino]

I lifted my boat recently for some maintenance and while preparing to repack the stern glands I checked the stern gland greaser. There is one brass screw type pump to feed both shafts so the copper pipe is teed. I appear to be getting good grease delivery to my port engine but the starboard shaft is not getting an grease at all. I removed the starboard copper pipe and cleaned it out but there's still no grease coming out.
Is the best option to fit a second grease so that there is a dedicated one for each shaft?

 

[Kawasaki]

Yes, fit a dedicated pair
The 'old' greaser system is simple and does work but its very important as you know
Cost wise in the overall cost of boating, its nowt really!

 

[Plum]

I lifted my boat recently for some maintenance and while preparing to repack the stern glands I checked the stern gland greaser. There is one brass screw type pump to feed both shafts so the copper pipe is teed. I appear to be getting good grease delivery to my port engine but the starboard shaft is not getting an grease at all. I removed the starboard copper pipe and cleaned it out but there's still no grease coming out.
Is the best option to fit a second grease so that there is a dedicated one for each shaft?

Yes, a dedicated one for each shaft.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Neil_Y]

A word of caution with stern gland greasers, use sparingly. Stern tube bearings can get cooked when the water flow has been blocked by grease, grease is a poor conductor of heat so the bearings will run hot if there is no water flow.

 

[oldgit]

My old Broom had individual greasers to each shaft.Merely used to give a quarter turn until a little resistance was felt .
Over time, grease did solidify in the supply tube where it joined the stern gland,it became rock solid and unable to turn greaser. Probably 30 years worth of water and ancient grease.
Disconnected pipe to gland joint and spent some time breaking up old very solid grease in pipe with bendy bit of wire and then pumped new clean grease through entire pipe length.
Bit more poking around in actual stern gland until shaft was visibly clear of crud .

 

[Dino]

Thanks folks. I spent Saturday trying to clean out the offending pipe but when I tried pumping it, nothing came out. Obviously the path of least resistance is to the port shaft so I ordered a new greaser and pipe kit for the starboard engine last night. I’ll blank off the starboard side of the tee and run the new greaser to the starboard shaft.
This should sort the issue. I’ll take note to just use small amounts of grease.
Thanks.