The stuffing box on my CD28 is dripping even when the engine is off. I am getting 1 drip about every 6-8 seconds. With the engine running and in gear I get 1 drip per socond - more or less. I have never adjusted the stuffing box and I need some help. I have only been a CD owner for about three months and my knowledge is limited, so I need someone to give me a detailed explanation of the stuffing box and how to adjust it. Can a leaking stuffing box (with engine off) be of great danger to my boat? Thanks in advance!!
MTaylor673@aol.com
CD28 Stuffing Box - DRIPS WITH ENGINE OFF
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Mike Everett
Re: CD28 Stuffing Box - DRIPS WITH ENGINE OFF
Don't worry. Your boat's not in any danger.
This is a fairly simple problem. You might check out the many previous posts on this subject.
The hard part with the 28 is (1) getting at the stuffing box (being a professional contortionist would help) and (2) getting a wrench to fit around the nut and between the bilge (it's a tight fit, and most wrenches don't work). I use what's called a "pump wrench" which is adjustable and is thin enough to fit - just barely - between the nut and the hull. You'll see what I mean. The wrench must fit around a 1 3/4 inch nut, but take up no more than about 3 inches of space around the outside. You can grip the nut if you hold the wrench at just the right angle.
Here's the drill: Empty the port cockpit locker, hang upside down, loosen the lock nut (turn thinner nut sternward), tighten the packing nut (turn larger nut sternward) until the drip stops. Put a bit of packing grease (if needed) between the two nuts while you're there, and finish b
everett@megalink.net
This is a fairly simple problem. You might check out the many previous posts on this subject.
The hard part with the 28 is (1) getting at the stuffing box (being a professional contortionist would help) and (2) getting a wrench to fit around the nut and between the bilge (it's a tight fit, and most wrenches don't work). I use what's called a "pump wrench" which is adjustable and is thin enough to fit - just barely - between the nut and the hull. You'll see what I mean. The wrench must fit around a 1 3/4 inch nut, but take up no more than about 3 inches of space around the outside. You can grip the nut if you hold the wrench at just the right angle.
Here's the drill: Empty the port cockpit locker, hang upside down, loosen the lock nut (turn thinner nut sternward), tighten the packing nut (turn larger nut sternward) until the drip stops. Put a bit of packing grease (if needed) between the two nuts while you're there, and finish b
everett@megalink.net
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Mike Everett
Re: CD28 Stuffing Box - DRIPS WITH ENGINE OFF
......Continued Put a bit of packing grease (if needed) between the two nuts while you're there, and finish by tightening the lock nut.
If your flax packing is completely worn out, you'll turn the nut all the way in without stopping the flow. This is unlikely however.
I hope this helps. Write me if I haven't been clear.
everett@megalink.net
If your flax packing is completely worn out, you'll turn the nut all the way in without stopping the flow. This is unlikely however.
I hope this helps. Write me if I haven't been clear.
everett@megalink.net
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Dave
Re: CD28 Stuffing Box - DRIPS WITH ENGINE OFF
The stuffing box on my CD28 is dripping even when the engine is off. I am getting 1 drip about every 6-8 seconds. With the engine running and in gear I get 1 drip per socond - more or less. I have never adjusted the stuffing box and I need some help. I have only been a CD owner for about three months and my knowledge is limited, so I need someone to give me a detailed explanation of the stuffing box and how to adjust it. Can a leaking stuffing box (with engine off) be of great danger to my boat? Thanks in advance!!
Can purchase stuffing box wrenches that will fit quite nicely from places like Defender Industries (mail order) in CT.
dave_lhs_bio@hotmail.com
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Bill Shambora
Re: CD28 Stuffing Box - DRIPS WITH ENGINE OFF
Hold everything! Don't touch that stuffing box. The owners manual says a drop or two every ten seconds is about right. If you tighten the nut too much you will burn up the stuffing box and really start a leak.
wesham0@pop.uky.edu
wesham0@pop.uky.edu
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Larry DeMers
Re: CD28 Stuffing Box - DRIPS WITH ENGINE OFF
Mac,
I have a CD30, with an MD7B and V-Drive. If your situation is similar, then proceed. Your dripping while at rest is a small irritation, and can be fixed by tightening the packing gland nut maybe one 'click'. My packing gland has a deeply knurled surface, such that you can use a special tool (Spartan Ind. carries it) or a screwdriver and hammer to adjust it. What I do is use a very large flatblade screwdriver. Tap the handle with a hammer, and back off the locking nut 1/4 turn or so, then turn the inner gland nut tighter by one tooth or two maybe, then handtighten the locking nut, and then use the screwdriver/hammer trick to lightly tap it tight (one light tap).
You should cut the at-rest drip rate down to near zero, and the "while-running" drip rate will be a bit less than before. Go out and motor for 30 minutes, carefully checking the packing gland temp. with your hand (do this carefully)..it should be cold, and there should be one drip per 10 sec. or thereabouts coming out of the packing gland.
About every 10 years or so, the packing gland needs to be repacked with flax or dripless packing material. It's a contortionists nightmare to get in there, but is actually easy to do.
Drop me a line if you want details.
Cheers!
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
demers@sgi.com
I have a CD30, with an MD7B and V-Drive. If your situation is similar, then proceed. Your dripping while at rest is a small irritation, and can be fixed by tightening the packing gland nut maybe one 'click'. My packing gland has a deeply knurled surface, such that you can use a special tool (Spartan Ind. carries it) or a screwdriver and hammer to adjust it. What I do is use a very large flatblade screwdriver. Tap the handle with a hammer, and back off the locking nut 1/4 turn or so, then turn the inner gland nut tighter by one tooth or two maybe, then handtighten the locking nut, and then use the screwdriver/hammer trick to lightly tap it tight (one light tap).
You should cut the at-rest drip rate down to near zero, and the "while-running" drip rate will be a bit less than before. Go out and motor for 30 minutes, carefully checking the packing gland temp. with your hand (do this carefully)..it should be cold, and there should be one drip per 10 sec. or thereabouts coming out of the packing gland.
About every 10 years or so, the packing gland needs to be repacked with flax or dripless packing material. It's a contortionists nightmare to get in there, but is actually easy to do.
Drop me a line if you want details.
Cheers!
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
The stuffing box on my CD28 is dripping even when the engine is off. I am getting 1 drip about every 6-8 seconds. With the engine running and in gear I get 1 drip per socond - more or less. I have never adjusted the stuffing box and I need some help. I have only been a CD owner for about three months and my knowledge is limited, so I need someone to give me a detailed explanation of the stuffing box and how to adjust it. Can a leaking stuffing box (with engine off) be of great danger to my boat? Thanks in advance!!
demers@sgi.com
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Tom
Re: CD28 Stuffing Box - DRIPS WITH ENGINE OFF
A drip every ten seconds is correct when the engine is running, but after the engine stops and sits for awhile they usually stop. A drip every second while running is too loose. Be sure to run the engine and watch after you tighten the nut. Somehow when you tighten the lock nut it seems to over-tighten the big nut. So you have to back off the big nut a little and expect the lock nut to tighten it a little. There's usually 3 or 4 back and forths before you get it right.The stuffing box on my CD28 is dripping even when the engine is off. I am getting 1 drip about every 6-8 seconds. With the engine running and in gear I get 1 drip per socond - more or less. I have never adjusted the stuffing box and I need some help. I have only been a CD owner for about three months and my knowledge is limited, so I need someone to give me a detailed explanation of the stuffing box and how to adjust it. Can a leaking stuffing box (with engine off) be of great danger to my boat? Thanks in advance!!
TomCambria@mindspring.com
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John
Ditto
Ditto to Bill's remarks, plus if you overtighten you will wind up scoring the shaft, especially if it's a bronze shaft.Hold everything! Don't touch that stuffing box. The owners manual says a drop or two every ten seconds is about right. If you tighten the nut too much you will burn up the stuffing box and really start a leak.
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Ryan Turner
Sure, but it's not supposed to drip when sitting still...
One or two drips per ten seconds is great when the shaft is turning but not when sitting still. There should be no dripping when the shaft is not turning. One drip per ten seconds when motoring.
rdtec@aol.com
rdtec@aol.com