What makes a drip-less, DRIP?

I should probably wait for the photos, but the part of the coupler that is on the shaft is keyed. I suspect that you are seing the keyway that is milled into the shaft to accept the key for the coupler.....it just extends up the shaft a ways.
 
Gary - did you ever post the pictures of the location of the keys on the shaft? If not can you tell me where they are?

thx.
 
Just because you have a cross over system, does not mean it works. My last boat 2002 340DA had the factory cross over system. I bought it with 58 hours on it. Before I hit 120 hours, I had both seals fail and both shafts ground down out of tolerance where the seals are installed. The problem. it appears, is that Searay used 3/8" ID lines with 90deg fittings, which caught little pieces of shells and what not until they became plugged.

It was my girlfriends (now fiancé) first overnight boat trip. I had her convinced that the bilge pump running every 5-10 minutes was normal and that we were OK. I did however tie us up extremely tight to the floating dock. We spent the weekend in Beaufort, had a great time, and limped home to a 5k+ yard bill on a relatively brand new boat. Low hours are not always great. You gotta run em.
 
We replace strong seals with PSS shaft seals and the problems are over. 'been installing PSS shaft seals for 14yrs without a problem. MY 580 has strong seals and they leak. My sales manager has a 480 amd his leak too.
On my next haul out PSS seals will go in. A water crossover is actually a good idea on either one.
 
Gerkisen, Thanks for the post. It looks like you could use a few more boats?JC
 
I guess this thread has been on my mind recently..

Today I called Tides Marine to enquire about the possibility of retrofitting a crossover tube to the shaft seals on our 400DA. The CS guy at Tides says that it is recommended! He said that as far as he know SR still does not install it on all models today as there are design/mechanical issues like access, ABYC standards, availability of limber holes, etc. which make the installation of crossover tubing difficult and expensive.

Tides acknowledge that running this tubing can be difficult. I'm not sure yet but I may have to run it accross the "aisle" myself as going around the engine compartment may make the run too far - it should be as short as possible i.e. 2-4 feet. However, he says it's a mod I should consider and he would do it himself on his boat! He says to put a 'T' into the hose (and not to insert valves) about 6" from the existing water inlet and to tap into the gear cooler or just after the water pump on the opposing engine. No problem winterizing - just 2 puddles of antifreeze under the boat from each engine instead of one. See http://www.tidesmarine.com/shaft-seal-kits-install.html for more info and drawings.

I am inclined to put this on my spring mod list. After all, who really wants to haul out because of an impeller failure on one engine or even a simple mechanical issue preventing the start of one engine and a freewheeling prop. But there are obviously pros and cons here: Has anyone else done this job? What are your comments/recommendations before I tackle this project?

Warren
 
Warren,

I had it done for the same reasons you described. Just got the invoice from my dealer to do it. $40.00 I have not yet seen the work, but given the cost, it must obviously be something simple to do.
 
Randy perhaps you could let us know how it looks when you are down to the boat? I'm concerned about that tubing running across the 'aisle' - so I'll have to remeasure sometime to see if I could run it forward or aft somehow and still be under say 6'. I doubt it.. and that may dictate what I decide to do.

Alternatives include temp sensors or simply changing the impellers annually. We'll see,
Warren
 
A prop that is out of ballance can vibrate a shaft enough to make the Strong Seal leak. I had this problem and getting the wheels prop scanned fixed it. I have also noticed that the seals are more prone to leakage in cooler weather and waters
 
Warren,

I will be happy to post a pic and give a description, just won't be getting there for a few weeks. Will post then.
 
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