Why Pack the Stern Gland?

[seaesta]

An obvious question you may think. My stern gland has a grease line from a nipple in a locker. I squirt in a few shots of grease from a grease gun each time I moor up and apart from a little grease coming out of the inside of the stern gland all has been well for a long time.
I have no "drips per minute" and the bilge stays dry - no sign of overheating even if I motor all day in hot weather.
I figured it is not necessary to re-pack as I re-grease often. What is likely to go wrong if I do not stuff in more gland packing material?
Martin

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[l'escargot]

You don't need to stuff in more packing, you only need to replace the packing if it becomes worn. If it isn't broke - don't fix it.

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[Seafort]

It's time to re-pack when the "nut(s)" run out of space for further tightening.

Dave.

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[brianhumber]

You have an ultimate set up then, a shaft and packing rings in very good unworn condition such that the limited amount of grease you add after finished with engines lasts a long time. my old UFO was similar, a shot of grease kept the drips away for up to 10 hours running at under 1,000 revs.
I would think you would would not need repack for many a year.

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