Volvo Stern Seal Continued Problem

S

Sidestep

New Member
Joined
28 Aug 2007
Messages
11
Visit site
Bought a new to me Jeanneau SO 26 3 years ago. Volvo seal was leaking so I replaced with brand new (25mm). Made sure it was fitted correctly and the tube nice and smooth. But the new one still leaked when in gear. Not as bad but water drops were still flung around. Just hauled out and decided to replace again. On looking at the old and new together the wear (or lack of) looks identical. So I’m reluctant to to get another. Looks like a couple of options equivalent to the Volvo. The Eliche Radice or Orbitrade. Anyone think I will get better results or recommend either? I’ve read they are all possibly made by the same company. I know the Eliche Radice has benefits of venting and lubricating. Otherwise identical to the Volvo. Not really wanting to go down the PSS route. 3 x the price! Many thanks.
 
I also have problems with an Orbitrade (they are all exactly the same, with the exception of the addition of the bleed points, I think). Mine leaks when in gear, but leaks from the area around the stern-tube seal. This is because my stern-tube is too small, and I have had to increase the diameter by the addition of a few wraps of rubber tape. This obviously doesn't work properly, as I still get a leak.

You may have a problem with a scratched prop shaft, not allowing a proper seal
 
Sidestep said:
Bought a new to me Jeanneau SO 26 3 years ago. Volvo seal was leaking so I replaced with brand new (25mm). Made sure it was fitted correctly and the tube nice and smooth. But the new one still leaked when in gear. Not as bad but water drops were still flung around. Just hauled out and decided to replace again. On looking at the old and new together the wear (or lack of) looks identical. So I’m reluctant to to get another. Looks like a couple of options equivalent to the Volvo. The Eliche Radice or Orbitrade. Anyone think I will get better results or recommend either? I’ve read they are all possibly made by the same company. I know the Eliche Radice has benefits of venting and lubricating. Otherwise identical to the Volvo. Not really wanting to go down the PSS route. 3 x the price! Many thanks.
Click to expand...

Had the same issue, but with an Orbitrade seal. first one lasted two years, second one was fitted in March this year and is gently dripping now. turns out to have been caused by alignment thrown out by an engine mount problem
 
I never had any trouble with my Volvo seal, though it was some years ago. The important thing was to make sure that it was exactly aligned when tightening up the retaining band.
 
There could be a number of causes, all have to be right:-

1. Upper and / or lower cutlass bearing wear
2. Engine to drive train alignment (should be within 0.005", 5 thou)
3. Correct greasing of the seal - sufficient but not too much, in the right place and use of correct blue Volvo grease
4. Was the seal burped? to ensure seal is water cooled and prevents overheating and premature wear
5. Surface finish of the shaft - it appears you have checked this and ruled it out as a cause
6. Engine mounts worn, allowing excessive engine movement
7. Prop balance / shaft bent. Check shaft run-out with a DTI
8. Drive coupling integrity / wear

Hopefully some food for thought there
 
Did you do it yourself, and if you didn't, did you have a look at the shaft and alignment when the seal was off?

It is difficult to see Radice or Orbitrade being any different - there sounds to be an issue in the set-up which you probably need to get to the bottom of.
 
Sidestep said:
Bought a new to me Jeanneau SO 26 3 years ago. Volvo seal was leaking so I replaced with brand new (25mm). Made sure it was fitted correctly and the tube nice and smooth. But the new one still leaked when in gear. Not as bad but water drops were still flung around. Just hauled out and decided to replace again. On looking at the old and new together the wear (or lack of) looks identical. So I’m reluctant to to get another. Looks like a couple of options equivalent to the Volvo. The Eliche Radice or Orbitrade. Anyone think I will get better results or recommend either? I’ve read they are all possibly made by the same company. I know the Eliche Radice has benefits of venting and lubricating. Otherwise identical to the Volvo. Not really wanting to go down the PSS route. 3 x the price! Many thanks.
Click to expand...

No point in replacing until you find the cause. I replaced mine 2 years ago, still not a drip. The previous one was still good after 15 years. Both Volvo brand. Is it definitely leaking via the lip seal and not the connection to the shaft tube? Can you post a picture of your arrangement?

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
Pye_End said:
Did you do it yourself, and if you didn't, did you have a look at the shaft and alignment when the seal was off?

It is difficult to see Radice or Orbitrade being any different - there sounds to be an issue in the set-up which you probably need to get to the bottom of.
Click to expand...
+1
Mine has lasted 6 years so far with no dripping. I would be suspicious of a lack of water lubrication. I suppose scratches my be an issue but I think theyd have to be pretty deep to cause a leak.

I wonder if the shaft is bent, thus causing oscillation when rotating?
 
Thanks all for suggestions so far. Leak is definitely at the shaft to seal end. I can only assume the issue is alignment. I’ll check next time I’m at the boat. Must be a smidge out. Pretty sure the cutlass is ok as little or no movement. Would like to post a picture but can’t work out how to. Arrangement is same as all the Jeanneau’s I’ve seen pictures of their Volvo seals up to about 36 feet.
 
Pye_End said:
Did you do it yourself, and if you didn't, did you have a look at the shaft and alignment when the seal was off?

It is difficult to see Radice or Orbitrade being any different - there sounds to be an issue in the set-up which you probably need to get to the bottom of.
Click to expand...

This is where I would start; with age the engine mounts may have slumped slightly, leaving the shaft off-centre in the shaft log. These seals don't like that and will leak as a result.
 
Sidestep said:
Thanks all for suggestions so far. Leak is definitely at the shaft to seal end. I can only assume the issue is alignment. I’ll check next time I’m at the boat. Must be a smidge out. Pretty sure the cutlass is ok as little or no movement. Would like to post a picture but can’t work out how to. Arrangement is same as all the Jeanneau’s I’ve seen pictures of their Volvo seals up to about 36 feet.
Click to expand...

I do not see how it can be alignment causing the lip seals to leak. Inside the Volvo seal is a cutlass type bearing just behind the lip seals so any lateral movement of the shaft will not result in lateral misalignment between the shaft and the lips. This picture https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GoZUAmAfKL5rx_QTu4iqiTd3OjT11-Rt/view?usp=drivesdk is taken looking inside from the back end of the seal showing the cutlass type bearing with the two lip seals just beyond.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
If the shaft is not centered on the stern tube then there will be stress on the seal as it will not all line up. This will lead to either premature wear or it will deform the rubber.
 
I had the Volvo blackjack seal on my boat before last and had trouble if the shaft wasn't aligned. But the design of the seal does not help with alignment.

I devised a method whereby I would affix a laser spirit level on to the gearbox output coupling pointing mid way along the seal, I would then rotate the coupling and observe the laser point. If it described an ellipse rather than a circle the alignment was out.

Also check the lips are properly set because inserting the shaft tends to set them the wrong way. If you don't have the original plastic setting tool an aerosol lid of the same approx diameter cut to suit will work. A regular squirt of the VP grease is definitely needed.
 
Sidestep said:
Bought a new to me Jeanneau SO 26 3 years ago. Volvo seal was leaking so I replaced with brand new (25mm). Made sure it was fitted correctly and the tube nice and smooth. But the new one still leaked when in gear. Not as bad but water drops were still flung around. Just hauled out and decided to replace again. On looking at the old and new together the wear (or lack of) looks identical. So I’m reluctant to to get another. Looks like a couple of options equivalent to the Volvo. The Eliche Radice or Orbitrade. Anyone think I will get better results or recommend either? I’ve read they are all possibly made by the same company. I know the Eliche Radice has benefits of venting and lubricating. Otherwise identical to the Volvo. Not really wanting to go down the PSS route. 3 x the price! Many thanks.
Click to expand...

You haven't by any chance got a Yanmar 1GM10 have you? They leap all over the place and you need to carefully check the alignment and engine mounts. I ended up replacing the mounts with a non oem alternative on a friends jeanneau fantasia which improved things but even then there was a slight leak at idle out of gear. Having said that if yours is only leaking in gear I'd suspect the alignment. The Volvo seal on my own boat works brilliantly but that has a 3 cylinder beta and the alignment is spot on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top