The stuffing box packing on my CD25D was repacked about two seasons ago and has not leaked with the engine off until recently. The box leaked a few drops when the engine is running as it should buty this season the rate has become much more - several drops continuosly as long as the shaft is turning.Today I noticed that the box was leaking about 10 drops a minute with the engine off which it had not done before. I can tighten up the box and stop the leak but then the shaft runs warm but touchable which is not like it was before - maybe luke warm to touch. As it is near the end of the season, I don't want to pull the boat for a repacking but am concerned that if I tighten the stuffing box nut enough to stop the leak, I'll score the shaft. What, in your esperience, is an allowable running temp for the stuffing box at cruising rpm: ~2800? And how long can one expect the stuffing to last?
thanks for any input,
jim
james.jamieson@yale.edu
CD25D Stuffing Box Question
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Mike Everett
Re: CD25D Stuffing Box Question
I had a similar problem last season (for which there are lots of posts in this site's archives) on my CD28, and I learned to get down there to repack and tighten the box.
One thing you don't mention is how easily the prop shaft turns by hand while you're adjusting the packing nut. If you can turn the shaft with a modest amount of resistance, then you're OK.
Sometimes even a quarter-turn makes a big difference in the leak. My suggestion is to keep tightening as long as you can freely rotate the shaft by hand.
everett@megalink.net
One thing you don't mention is how easily the prop shaft turns by hand while you're adjusting the packing nut. If you can turn the shaft with a modest amount of resistance, then you're OK.
Sometimes even a quarter-turn makes a big difference in the leak. My suggestion is to keep tightening as long as you can freely rotate the shaft by hand.
everett@megalink.net