Stuffing Box

[glynsue]

Help please,
first off I have a very bad back (Sciatica)
There was a suspicion of a small leak in and around
the bilges under the engine mounting.
I removed the sole decking in my Buchanan 24 to look
for the stern gland and check the stuffing box, there
was a round brass sleeve at the end of the box, so far so good
but this is below my ability to reach, has anyone any
ideas about a simple tool that will grasp the round sleeve
let me unscrew it, and not drop it in the bilges
all without having to bend?

 

[Tranona]

Suspect there is more than a round sleeve. A photo would help identify and suggest ways of tackling the adjustment.

 

[glynsue]

Yes there probably is, I will take some pics this weekend and
show them to you

 

[glynsue]

Hello,
I have taken photographs but I get an error message saying the file is too large,
any advice please

 

[WoodyP]

I think you need a sailing friend or to pay someone who is not disabled by sciatica to sort this out for you.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Hello,
I have taken photographs but I get an error message saying the file is too large,
any advice please

Resize the photo.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Resize the photo.

Using, for example, Image Resizer | Easily Resize Images Online for FREE if you don't have suitable software on your phone or PC.

 

[glynsue]

Thanks for your help so far.
When the circular cover is unscrewed the reservoir appears to
be full of grease and it also contains a large nipple, is grease meant to
be introduced under pressure or is the pressure from screwing the
cover back sufficient ?

 

[Tranona]

The big nut at the end is to adjust the pressure on the packing. If you google "adjusting stern glands" you will find plenty of information. The detail designs vary but the principles are the same. Your is one of the more common designs.

 

[Poignard]

Thanks for your help so far.
When the circular cover is unscrewed the reservoir appears to
be full of grease and it also contains a large nipple, is grease meant to
be introduced under pressure or is the pressure from screwing the
cover back sufficient ?

The cap of the Stauffer greaser has to be filled with grease and then as you screw it down grease is forced into the bearing.

To help your back, you might consider fitting a remote greaser.

Like this :

Remote 150ml Stern Tube Greaser 1/8" BSP Taper)

 

[glynsue]

Thanks,
We realise that some of the questions we are asking are causing
smiles even a smirk or two. We retired from boating, recently and sold our Seawych.
Later
We were at the Marina , basically a nostalgia trip and lunch when we saw SKye , partially
renovated/restored and we fell for her, including the leap into the unknown.
We went from a 20ft sailboat with an outboard to a Buchanan 24ft Motor Sailer
with a Diesel engine, this is the first diesel I have had.
We will continue to ask for advice even if our questions make some readers cringe
If anyone is ever in the Maldon area and wants to see how we are doing we
will be happy to show the boat to you

 

[glynsue]

The cap of the Stauffer greaser has to be filled with grease and then as you screw it down grease is forced into the bearing.

To help your back, you might consider fitting a remote greaser.

Like this :

Remote 150ml Stern Tube Greaser 1/8" BSP Taper)

Remote is the way to go I think, thanks for that
Glyn

 

[Poignard]

This is what I fitted in 2002. Still working perfectly when I sold the boat a few months ago.

Stern Tube Remote Greaser

 

[pmagowan]

These jobs are awkward due to where the stern gland obviously has to be fitted. We have a 38' Buchanan and it has a remote greaser as did our 28' Honeybee. The stern gland is supposed to drip when under steam (about once per second IIRC) so there will not be dry bilges. We would put a slight turn on the greaser when we remembered after a passage. You can site this somewhere convenient that doesn't require a monkey to get at. The bit nut at the end keeps everything where it should be and if it comes off you will tend to leak significantly more than you want!

 

[Poignard]

As far as I can see, looking at the photo on my mobile's tiny screen, the lock nut isn't doing anything. It should be tightened up against the gland nut to prevent the latter from turning.

 

[glynsue]

These jobs are awkward due to where the stern gland obviously has to be fitted. We have a 38' Buchanan and it has a remote greaser as did our 28' Honeybee. The stern gland is supposed to drip when under steam (about once per second IIRC) so there will not be dry bilges. We would put a slight turn on the greaser when we remembered after a passage. You can site this somewhere convenient that doesn't require a monkey to get at. The bit nut at the end keeps everything where it should be and if it comes off you will tend to leak significantly more than you want!

It's getting better, that is my limited grasp on things,there is a very slight drip from the greaser when I took
the cap off, that appears to be all from that part, thanks to another reply I will ,this weekend, make sure
the locking nuts are tight and doing there job.

 

[RivalRedwing]

this site may be useful for you:

Stern glands

 

[glynsue]

This was very helpful, thanks