Stuffing Gland Re-packing

[dje67]

Wondered how often it is necessary to re-pack a stuffing gland. Mine's done about 200 hours since last being re-packed (4 years ago) and hasn't shown any signs of leaking in that time. Only had to tighten the gland once.

Is it worth re-packing whilst the boats out the water, or leave untouched on the basis that there's not signs of problems?

 

[NormanS]

Leave it alone.

 

[Skyva_2]

If it does not leak, don't fix it. I did this once on the basis that it was some years since it was repacked, and it leaked afterwards!

IMHO.

 

[retsina]

Leave it alone and add more greese

 

[chrishelen]

I thought they were meant to drip every minute if adjusted correctly??

 

[milfordman]

It is my understanding that when the shaft is rotating the gland should drip 2 or 3 times a minuet. The tiny water flow will keep it cool. When you stop rotating the shaft a squeeze on the greaser will force a spot more grease in which should seal the gland and stop the drip. This is what happens on my stuffing gland.

I only tighten the stuffing box when this fails to work. I go years between replacing the packing.

 

[Skyva_2]

Correction to my post, yes it should leak slowly when shaft is turning; otherwise the packing may burn the shaft. I was referring to excessive leaking.

 

[TigaWave]

Some stern glands are designed and work very well without grease.
Grease is anot a good conductor of heat and can if used excessively block up water channels in the stern tube cutless bearing.

Water is a good lubricant and coolant, and many stern glands just use water.

 

[Danny]

[ QUOTE ]
Some stern glands are designed and work very well without grease.
Grease is anot a good conductor of heat and can if used excessively block up water channels in the stern tube cutless bearing.

Water is a good lubricant and coolant, and many stern glands just use water.

[/ QUOTE ]Agreed. There's a common misunderstanding that the grease is there to lubricate. It's not. It's there to waterproof the packing. Some packings don't require this.

 

[dje67]

Thanks all. I'm not going to fix something that aint broken. Will keep an eye on the number of drips, which I've always checked after leaving the marina anyway.