Volvo rubber stuffing box - help with what to put in it

[Bobc]

I have one of these wonderful Volvo drip-less stuffing boxes, and it's started to drip (I didn't grease it).

I'm currently in Fecamp and the chandler isn't open. So the options open to me are to use nothing and let it run dry (which I don't want to do), or use what I have on the boat. So my options are:-

1./ General brown bearing grease
2./ Harken white winch grease
3./ Vaseline

What would people recommend I use?

Ta

Bob

 

[jwilson]

Well the Volvo grease is a blue waterproof stuff in a tiny tube, so I'd have thought any waterproof grease would be better than no grease.... A flattened-end plastic straw is a traditional way of getting grease in under the seal end.

 

[Tranona]

The winch grease - although dripping is unlikely to be cured permanently by greasing as most likely the lip seals are worn (through lack of grease maybe?) Use a straw filled with grease pushed down past the seals to get the grease in. When you do replace it, suggest you use the latest Radice variation which is much easier to grease so eliminating any excuse!

 

[30boat]

Use the Volvo grease.It's not expensive.It comes in small tubes that will go a very long way and it's very effective.

 

[Bobc]

Immediate problem solved. Fellow brit on the pontoon provided some waterproof grease.

 

[starboard]

Dont firget to "Burp" the seal regulary, if you dont entrapped air will cause the seal to wear and leak. Also be very careful when greasing it as it can be easily damaged, a flattened straw filled with grease is the safest and most effective way.

 

[Mistroma]

The lip seals are further in than some might think. I measured a Volvo seal for 30mm shaft to get correct distance for my boat.

I think it is approx. 16mm to 1st seal and 26mm to the 2nd, so inserting straw 21mm is about right.

 

[Birdseye]

I have one of these wonderful Volvo drip-less stuffing boxes, and it's started to drip (I didn't grease it).

I'm currently in Fecamp and the chandler isn't open. So the options open to me are to use nothing and let it run dry (which I don't want to do), or use what I have on the boat. So my options are:-

1./ General brown bearing grease
2./ Harken white winch grease
3./ Vaseline

What would people recommend I use?

Ta

Bob

I have had those seals and currently have the Italian pattern version which is lubricated with silicone grease rather than the waterproof blue stull used by Volvo. Do you have any of this?

It is unlikely that grease will solve the weep. To the contrary putting too much grease in can cause a leak.

Edit: I see you have some grease. Do you also have the circular plastic thingy used when installing the seal. If so, insert that and rotate it round to make sure any dirt or detritis has gone. Then try the grease.

 

[ChrisRayner]

How old is the seal? I had to replace prop shaft, cutless bearing and prop last winter. The engineer changed the seal as well. He asked me how old it was, so far as I could tell it was about 15 years. He said we'd done well as the design life span is 10 years. Mind you, we don't motor much.