Vovo stern gland seal

[alan]

My boat is fitted with a water lubricated rubber stern gland seal from Volvo. The engine is a MD2020and I have done just a little over 500 hours.
The handbook recommends replacing the seal every 500 hours or five years.
My question is: is this really necessary?? The seal appears to be as in new condition, does not leak and I grease it each year with the Volvo super expensive blue grease!!
What are the likely consequenses of not replacing it (will there be a leak after time??); and do you need to replace it at haul-out or can it be done by separating the shaft from the inverter??

Any advice will be really helpful.
Thanks.


<hr width=100% size=1>Alan Cloke

 

[Miker]

My boat's a Beneteau 260 with a Volvo 2010. I replaced the Volvo stern gland after 7 years although the engine had only been used for about 200-250 hours and there was no sign of water ingress.

I had the local boat yard do it when the boat was laid up last winter as I could not shift the nuts holding the shaft. I was told that the inner of the two sealing rings was nearly worn through.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[iangrant]

My shaft seal was replaced this year because it had started to drip - it took about 40 minutes - 1500 hours seven years..

Ian

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[PeteB]

Hi - replacd my Volvo stern gland this year after 1200+ hours and 14 years. It had dripped a bit for the last couple of years though.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[stevebirch2002]

A great sterngland. We use them in the Vega when we change to standard sterngear. Work very well and ten years is an avergage life. Depends on engine alignment etc. Nothing can be changed in the galnd and a new one must be purchased. Easy to change and can be done in less than an hour. Usual price for a 25mm version is about £80. Obtainable from Keyparts at discount price. In Denmark they are known as "Blackjacks" which is teh slang fro a black condom!!

<hr width=100% size=1>Albin Vega "Southern Comfort" V1703

 

[philip_stevens]

I've got an '84 Konsort with a Bukh 20, and with the original Volvo seal still in place - and no leaks.

I greased it for 6 years with a molyslip type grease with no adverse effects. This year I put the proper blue grease on - as a part used tube was given to me.

Touch wood, still OK last weekend, even after drying out in Looe, and squeezing it until a squirt of water came out when again afloat.

I do have a spare, but why fix it when it ain't broke.

<hr width=100% size=1>regards,
Philip

 

[brianhumber]

Have a Volo seal, 16 years old 3,600 engine hrs. Make sure I bleed it when I relaunch every season and so far no drips. Nothing lasts for ever so I have made sure shaft coupling bolts etc are not solid. Being an old steam engineer I will replace it with a 'proper' stern gland with packing and a greaser when it finally goes because I hope to cruise the Black Sea in the next few years and replacements are basic out there.

<hr width=100% size=1>