Click for JetForums Click for Cross Click for Mulder Click for Glendinning Click for Westport

Leaking shaft seal

Discussion in 'Luhrs Yacht' started by Rscriv, Jul 29, 2020.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. Rscriv, Jul 29, 2020
    #1
    Rscriv

    Rscriv New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2020
    Messages:
    31
    Location:
    Stony Brook NY
    Hi everyone, hope you are all having a great summer. We just completed a 300 mile, around Long Island cruise. Our Convertable 38, Cat 3126’s ran great. The day after our return, i see we have a port side shaft leak. Any advice before I pull the boat and replace the seal? Thank you in advance!



    rich

    Attached Files:

  2. SeaLion, Jul 29, 2020
    #2
    SeaLion

    SeaLion Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2013
    Messages:
    212
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    Assuming they’re 7+ years old... Replace the entire shaft seal assemblies on both sides. And check shaft alignment and cutless bearings.
  3. rtrafford, Jul 29, 2020
    #3
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2019
    Messages:
    1,732
    Location:
    Vero Beach
    ....and add several spare seals into place so that you can refit in the water.
  4. SeaLion, Jul 29, 2020
    #4
    SeaLion

    SeaLion Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2013
    Messages:
    212
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    Might only be room for 1 spare, but that’s better than nothing. I think. Anybody ever used a shaft mounted spare?
  5. Ken Bracewell, Jul 29, 2020
    #5
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2006
    Messages:
    1,758
    Location:
    Somewhere Sunny
    Yes. But it's generally mounted in a separate carrier, which I don't see there.
  6. Capt Ralph, Jul 29, 2020
    #6
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    13,443
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Tides marine shaft seal;
    For that last use, try cleaning the seal. All apart you will take on some green water but it will rinse the seal area of crud.
    If not do able or does not fix;
    Then it is time to replace the seal.
    We have done this with out pulling the boat but is a better job on the hill. Coupler has to release the shaft.

    There is room for a few spare seals in their protective carriers. If you have to replace this seal, consider stacking a few spare 1 piece lip seals.

    Raspberries to the crew who did not stack spares on the shaft before.
  7. Ken Bracewell, Jul 29, 2020
    #7
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2006
    Messages:
    1,758
    Location:
    Somewhere Sunny
    A dive mask and a bit of plumbers putty around the stern tube will make the whole job much less stressful.
  8. rtrafford, Jul 29, 2020
    #8
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2019
    Messages:
    1,732
    Location:
    Vero Beach
    Recommended by the team selling shaft couplers.
  9. Capt Ralph, Jul 29, 2020
    #9
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    13,443
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Not sure how to read that. can you still edit and make it swamp readable?
  10. rtrafford, Jul 29, 2020
    #10
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2019
    Messages:
    1,732
    Location:
    Vero Beach
    My last two attempts to remove resulted in cutoff grinders and new couplers.
  11. Rscriv, Jul 29, 2020
    #11
    Rscriv

    Rscriv New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2020
    Messages:
    31
    Location:
    Stony Brook NY
    Great, TY for all the advice. I will keep the group posted
  12. wingless, Jul 30, 2020
    #12
    wingless

    wingless Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2009
    Messages:
    35
    Location:
    East Coast
    If going with new dripless seals, the selection of replacements with dual ports will permit operation with one disabled engine.

    The installation of dual port dripless seals on engines with lift mufflers requires that the water will drain overboard on the disabled engine, instead of backing up into that engine. Verify the heights of the drain path being lower than the engine path.

    The rotational orientation of the ports must comply with the documentation.

    The dripless seal requires two periodic tests. Disconnect the port hose and cap. One test is to operate the engine and verify sufficient cooling water flow, per the spec. The other is to uncap the port and verify unimpeded water ingress.
  13. RER, Jul 31, 2020
    #13
    RER

    RER Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2009
    Messages:
    1,585
    Location:
    Newport Beach CA
    I know someone who recently had a mechanical failure on a fishing trip and on the way home filled a disabled engine with sea water due to this very scenario.
  14. rtrafford, Jul 31, 2020
    #14
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2019
    Messages:
    1,732
    Location:
    Vero Beach
    Good to have a plan in place to allow a dead engine to have its shaft locked down while underway.
  15. Capt Ralph, Jul 31, 2020
    #15
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    13,443
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Or pull the prop if it is a long haul.
  16. wingless, Jul 31, 2020
    #16
    wingless

    wingless Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2009
    Messages:
    35
    Location:
    East Coast
    REALLY tough to effect on a moving twin engine boat w/ big engines / propellers.

    Dragging a big propeller creates massive torque that is difficult to resist.
  17. DOCKMASTER, Aug 1, 2020
    #17
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2012
    Messages:
    1,498
    Location:
    Ketchikan, Alaska
    I do many hours of slow speed (2.0 -2.5 knots) trolling with only one engine running. Even at slow speed, I get drag rotation on the non-running shaft. This is exactly why I went with the Lasdrop seals as they have the dual port crossover so both seals get cooling water even though only one engine running. There are other ways to accomplish the same thing but this seemed like about the easiest and cleanest way. I only have about 50 hours on them but so far, so good.