Volvo Penta Rubber Stuffing Box

[Ephesian]

I had one of these drip free stern gland things fitted last year when the engine was out. Didn't get a service manual with it though, so just wondering whether I need to do anything in terms of maintenance now the boat is out. I know that I need to bleed the air out when the boat gets relauched...

The only manual I can find (http://www.volvopenta.com/SiteColle...Parts brochures/Rubber Stuffing Box (Eng).pdf) suggests it needs greased after 200 hours. How would you do that -would you have to undo it from the boat and move it up the shaft, or is there a way of getting grease in without doing that? It's an absolute pain to get to it, so I'm keen to have a plan before I insert myself into the space behind the engine!

 

[Plevier]

You should have a tube of blue marine grease with the seal. Squirt some into a drinking straw. Flatten the end and push it into the seal along the shaft - pinch the seal away from the shaft the same as bleeding it. Run your fingers along the straw and squirt the grease into the seal!

 

[Tranona]

Get a little tube of the grease from a Volvo dealer. Probably die of fright when you see the price, but will keep you going for a long time. Advantage of the tube is that the nozzle is thin and you can use it to squirt some grease into the end before you put it back into the water. If access is tight, the alternative is to use a drinking straw - the pink ones you get in McDonalds are the best. Fill the last 10mm or so with grease, flatten it so that you can slide it into the end of the seal and press to squirt the grease it. Great fun - and all you need to do each year apart from burping to let air out.

 

[Ephesian]

Ta ..

found the grease online at keypart.com (amongst others). About £3 for a 25g tube...

Oh well, at least the McDonalds straw will be cheap!

 

[Plevier]

I'm sure any marine grease will do.
Look at http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=marine+grease&x=0&y=0 for example.