leaking around prop shaft

[zkprostar]

I have a leak around the prop shaft on my 2007 ps 197. I understand that a few drops of water will leak in while the shaft is spinning but it is leaking while the shaft is stopped. Is there anyway that I can fix this seal? The boat has less that 200hrs. and has been garage kept, I'm assuming that the seal is still good and can be tightened. I need to know how to check this. Thanks for your input

[FrankSchwab]

You just need to adjust the packing. No big deal; it's normal maintenance.

There should be instructions in your manual.

Basically, you tighten the really big nut (the packing nut) on the brass stuffing box where the propshaft goes through the hull. Loosen the thin jam-nut that holds the big nut in place, then tighten the big nut a little bit at a time - say, 1/8 of a turn. You should be able to do it by hand. Run the boat around the lake while watching the water come through - when it's down to 10 drops a minute or so, or whatever your manual says, you're golden - tighten the jam nut to hold the packing nut in place, and go skiing.

If you can't get the water to stop, you'll need to replace the packing. TMCNo1 has some good instructions here. I've replaced mine (10 years old, but didn't really need to get replaced) with the GoreTex packing that SkiDim sells; but the normal waxed flax packing will generally last a long time too.

Search for "stuffing" or "packing" and you'll find lots of threads.

/frank

[TMCNo1]

Originally Posted by FrankSchwab

You just need to adjust the packing. No big deal; it's normal maintenance.

There should be instructions in your manual.

Basically, you tighten the really big nut (the packing nut) on the brass stuffing box where the propshaft goes through the hull. Loosen the thin jam-nut that holds the big nut in place, then tighten the big nut a little bit at a time - say, 1/8 of a turn. You should be able to do it by hand. Run the boat around the lake while watching the water come through - when it's down to 10 drops a minute or so, or whatever your manual says, you're golden - tighten the jam nut to hold the packing nut in place, and go skiing.

If you can't get the water to stop, you'll need to replace the packing. TMCNo1 has some good instructions here. I've replaced mine (10 years old, but didn't really need to get replaced) with the GoreTex packing that SkiDim sells; but the normal waxed flax packing will generally last a long time too.

Search for "stuffing" or "packing" and you'll find lots of threads.

/frank

None of the above is required, IIRC he has a dripless shaft seal from the factory and may want to contact his dealer of Eric @ OJ props for advise.

[ctjahn]

Originally Posted by FrankSchwab

You just need to adjust the packing. No big deal; it's normal maintenance.

There should be instructions in your manual.

Basically, you tighten the really big nut (the packing nut) on the brass stuffing box where the propshaft goes through the hull. Loosen the thin jam-nut that holds the big nut in place, then tighten the big nut a little bit at a time - say, 1/8 of a turn. You should be able to do it by hand. Run the boat around the lake while watching the water come through - when it's down to 10 drops a minute or so, or whatever your manual says, you're golden - tighten the jam nut to hold the packing nut in place, and go skiing.

If you can't get the water to stop, you'll need to replace the packing. TMCNo1 has some good instructions here. I've replaced mine (10 years old, but didn't really need to get replaced) with the GoreTex packing that SkiDim sells; but the normal waxed flax packing will generally last a long time too.

Search for "stuffing" or "packing" and you'll find lots of threads.

/frank

Took out the green monster yesterday (85 and sunny on the lake May 19th in Wisconsin) So, mine is doing this. (Leaking when stationary); since it is a 1978 and I dont have a dripless seal, should I adjust, replace packing or install dripless? I searched for some threads but wasnt really successful

cj

[ctjahn]

Originally Posted by ctjahn

Took out the green monster yesterday (85 and sunny on the lake May 19th in Wisconsin) So, mine is doing this. (Leaking when stationary); since it is a 1978 and I dont have a dripless seal, should I adjust, replace packing or install dripless? I searched for some threads but wasnt really successful

cj

Found this:
http://mastercraft.com/teamtalk/show...0&postcount=31

thx

[Cloaked]

Originally Posted by ctjahn

Took out the green monster yesterday (85 and sunny on the lake May 19th in Wisconsin) So, mine is doing this. (Leaking when stationary); since it is a 1978 and I dont have a dripless seal, should I adjust, replace packing or install dripless? I searched for some threads but wasnt really successful

cj

Dripless is nice but for my preferences, I'd replace the packing with a graphite packing and call it a day. Leave your floor out until you test run it on the lake. I take two small adjustable pipe wrenches for adjusting. The packing gland will hold about 3 pieces of packing.

.

[ctjahn]

Originally Posted by Cloaked

Dripless is nice but for my preferences, I'd replace the packing with a graphite packing and call it a day. Leave your floor out until you test run it on the lake. I take two small adjustable pipe wrenches for adjusting. The packing gland will hold about 3 pieces of packing.

.

Thx!!!!

I did try putting a wrench on it today and it was tight... So, I suspect I will be doing the packing. Calling Skidim tomorrow. 1/4" rope based upon what I read in EastTx article/writeup and the fancy stuff is worth the money from what I see.... It appears I need two pipe wrenches too (only have one now)...

Thx again
cj

[east tx skier]

I don't know about the fancy stuff being worth it, but have never used it. I think I spent $.40 on the flax packing rope and the previous rope lasted 12 years the last time I had to replace it.

[FrankSchwab]

Dang, I can never keep up with all these new-fangled technologies changing all the time...

/frank

[ricford]

I worry about the dripless stuff getting too hot. A few drips a minute keeps it cool.