water from shaft

[cmedsailor]

A little bit of water is coming in from my boat's shaft. The engine is a Volvo Penta MD2030D and it has a shaft seal. Is it something wrong with the seal? Could someone tell me what to check and how to fix it?
Thanks

 

[MoodySabre]

When did last apply some Volvo special grease to the seal?
Is the shaft very worn?

One way or the other it sounds like a new one is due shortly. If the shaft is worn it will soon knack the seal.

 

[roly_voya]

When you say a shaft seal do you mean one of these that uses a flexible rubber pipe and rubber seals and isn't supposed to leak. If so sort it IMMEDIATLY, they don't just fail dangerously the fail disasterously. If its a traditional stuffing box with packing it needs a bit of grease and maybe a quarter turn. They should drip when running but not when stopped unless you fit posh carbon impregnated stuffing which dosn't drip at all but makes it dificult to know when its to tight!

 

[jerryat]

Is it a Volvo shaft seal or some other type?

 

[cmedsailor]

I believe it is the volvo shaft seal originally installed 6 years ago. It does look worn out, though I know that it is supposed to be replaced every 5 years. The boat is in the water now so I guess I cannot change it for the moment. I hope to find some other solution unitl next winter I am getting the boat out of the water.Where do you apply the special grease? All over it or where the shaft comes out from the seal?
Volvo site gives you instructions on how to install one. How about the maintenace. Can I find somewhere instructions?

 

[damo]

Descriptions in recent thread http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1729460/an/0/page/2#1729460

 

[30boat]

You can easily change a Volvo seal with the boat in the water.I f you have enough room between the engine and the seal all you have to do is remove the coupling and then undo and slide the old seal out.Having the new seal ready,wrap a rag around the shaft tube to control the amount water coming in and slide the seal in place and tighten .Not a lot of water comes in if you do it fast.That's how I do it.
It is better to get the engine out of the way if possible .That'll give more elbow room and the job will be much easier.
Make sure it's pre greased.
Also make sure the shaft doesn't slide out,I know that's obvious but I thought I should mention it.

 

[cmedsailor]

OK so most probably, since the seal looks in a good condition, there is not enough grease in it. Is there any way to grease it while in the water? Any other solutions?
Thanks

 

[MoodySabre]

See the thread Damo has mentioned above. There is very little grease involved - just to lubricate the seal. The grease doesn't keep the water out, it just stops the seal from wearing.

Unless you are very good at mechanical things I don't think this is an in-water replacement. Perhaps dried out for a tide but even then..... Can't you get a lift in slings for a few hours whilst you sort it out? If it is leaking now then I'd have thought next winter is too far away to leave it. Boat30 is obviously more experienced and braver than me!

 

[30boat]

I would'nt know about experience but it doesn't require much bravery to do this with the boat still afloat.I've done this quite a few times wth no drama whatsoever and once I even had to get a shaft out and then back again with the boat on the water.And the prop was removed and replaced underwater. It's all a matter of preparation really.Surprisingly little water comes in if you do it right.