stuffing box question

[Pilot]

My Searay is a 2008 350 DA and the V Drive shafts leak some. My question is are these the more modern dripless type? And if so, would tightening the shaft screw slightly eliminate the leaks? Or do I need to replace the stuffing? Thanks!

 

[Skybolt]

You need to show a pic, but if stock then most likely they are dripless and Tides version. They do not require tightening and in fact that would do nothing. What is usually the case when this happens is you need to replace the o-ring seal. If there is a spare on the shaft then you don't need to pull the boat to replace, otherwise the boat need to be out of the water to replace the seal.

Please post a pic to verify what you actually have.

https://marinepartssource.com/lasdr...crox2K0Si_7G-cs-DG9SMGqKbovqfaCIaAqi2EALw_wcB

 

[Golfman25]

I'm thinking by 2008 they all are all dripless. Depending on the type you have will determine the course of action. I originally had tides but someone along the line replaced with PSS mechanical seals. Getting close to a redo. While they are dripless, they aren't maintenance free.

 

[Pilot]

You need to show a pic, but if stock then most likely they are dripless and Tides version. They do not require tightening and in fact that would do nothing. What is usually the case when this happens is you need to replace the o-ring seal. If there is a spare on the shaft then you don't need to pull the boat to replace, otherwise the boat need to be out of the water to replace the seal.

Please post a pic to verify what you actually have.

https://marinepartssource.com/lasdr...crox2K0Si_7G-cs-DG9SMGqKbovqfaCIaAqi2EALw_wcB

Thanks for the reply. I will send a pic, but, can't get to the boat to do so until 2 weeks. I will send then.

Thx

 

[Pilot]

You need to show a pic, but if stock then most likely they are dripless and Tides version. They do not require tightening and in fact that would do nothing. What is usually the case when this happens is you need to replace the o-ring seal. If there is a spare on the shaft then you don't need to pull the boat to replace, otherwise the boat need to be out of the water to replace the seal.

Please post a pic to verify what you actually have.

https://marinepartssource.com/lasdr...crox2K0Si_7G-cs-DG9SMGqKbovqfaCIaAqi2EALw_wcB

Here is a pic of my seal(s). Can you determine if a spare is present on this version?
Thx

 

[Skybolt]

Here is a pic of my seal(s). Can you determine if a spare is present on this version?
Thx

Those are definitely tides seals. The most forward part with the screws is the seal section. If you had a spare it would be forward of that already on the shaft. Your picture doesn't show much of the shaft forward of the seal.

 

[Pilot]

Those are definitely tides seals. The most forward part with the screws is the seal section. If you had a spare it would be forward of that already on the shaft. Your picture doesn't show much of the shaft forward of the seal.

OK, thx. Its out now, so may be able to do this. Appreciate the advise and follow up.

 

[Golfman25]

Here is a pic of my seal(s). Can you determine if a spare is present on this version?
Thx

You're looking for a carrier like the black plastic thing zip tied to my power cables.

 

[Skybolt]

You're looking for a carrier like the black plastic thing zip tied to my power cables.
View attachment 142980

Curious why they are not on the shafts? A little impossible to change while wet.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Somebody mention stuffing box? I love this stuff…

 

[Golfman25]

Curious why they are not on the shafts? A little impossible to change while wet.

Yeah. I thought they had been changed and they just stored the empty there. Come to find out, a previous owner changed completely over to the PSS system and the carriers actually have a seal in them. Go figure.

 

[Skybolt]

Yeah. I thought they had been changed and they just stored the empty there. Come to find out, a previous owner changed completely over to the PSS system and the carriers actually have a seal in them. Go figure.

I have PSS, no seal in them. Their a mechanical pressure seal. I thought only Tides had the o-ring seal.

 

[Golfman25]

I have PSS, no seal in them. Their a mechanical pressure seal. I thought only Tides had the o-ring seal.

I know. That's why they removed the old seal carriers, which have the spare seal still in them. I had assumed they already used them and just put the carriers there to refill the next time they go to replace everything.

 

[Pilot]

Question on replacing them: Do I have to remove the boot sleeve to get the new O Ring on? And does it need to be out of the water to change them out? Thx again!

 

[Golfman25]

Question on replacing them: Do I have to remove the boot sleeve to get the new O Ring on? And does it need to be out of the water to change them out? Thx again!

If you have the spares in the carriers it's as "simple" as cutting the old one off and sliding the new one up. Can be done by a "pro" in the water if you can tolerate the leaking. If no spares, you'll need to pull the boat and disconnect the shafts to get new seals on.

 

[ttmott]

Question on replacing them: Do I have to remove the boot sleeve to get the new O Ring on? And does it need to be out of the water to change them out? Thx again!

There is no O-ring. It is a lip seal for the Tides arrangement - pic below. There are several Youtube videos on changing the seal and the precautions like using the seal installation tool and removing any burrs on the shaft. The second pic is what the assembly looks like without the lip seal installed. It would be rather expensive to get everything together only to find it leaks when you splash the boat....

 

[Pilot]

Thanks, I ordered the 2 lip seals and will have shortly. I'm wondering still if there is a spare and I need to get a better view of the shaft in front of the seal to see if there is one or not. I'm curious if I should replace the spare if I end up using it? Or use it and wait for end of season to replace spare. Thoughts?

 

[ttmott]

Thanks, I ordered the 2 lip seals and will have shortly. I'm wondering still if there is a spare and I need to get a better view of the shaft in front of the seal to see if there is one or not. I'm curious if I should replace the spare if I end up using it? Or use it and wait for end of season to replace spare. Thoughts?

The seals are not that expensive. Why take a chance? Change all of them while the boat is torn apart. There is a chance the spare will get damaged pulling it off the shaft....

It's like my neighbor years ago and his old Astrovan. The water pump needed to be replaced which entailed tearing the front of the vehicle apart. He was only going to replace the water pump and not the hoses or thermostat and I asked why not get it all done? Wouldn't you know it he had the vehicle completely apart a week later changing a blown hose.... and all of the other hoses....

 

[Golfman25]

If there is a spare you won’t have to disconnect the shafts. So you won’t be able to get the new spare on. But you’ll have them when u need them.

 

[Pilot]

If there is a spare you won’t have to disconnect the shafts. So you won’t be able to get the new spare on. But you’ll have them when u need them.

Thanks! Yeah, hopefully there are spares on the shaft I cant see and I can ride out the season. The lip seals are ($66 each, but the spare with plastic housing run $260 each,, not sure why so much more, but it is what it is. I'll do some shopping around.