Howdy all,
I guess I should have not fix what ain't broke, but oh well. I decided to replace the pss shaftseal that was came on my boat with a new one,it was at least 6 years old, and had a yard do the work. I haven't discussed anything with them yet but the problem is that a speed (2500 rpm) the shaft seal sprays a fair amount of water around and there is quite a bit of movement to the shaft. I am trying to understand what or where the problem may be so i don't sound like a complete boob when i talk to the folks that "installed" the new shaft seal. any suggestions or ideas where the problem might be?
regards,
—
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
I don't know much about the PSS shaft seal, but the shaft movement itself sounds like the yard did not get it properly adjusted. I believe one of the issues would be whether they adjusted the shaft AFTER the boat was in the water. The hull will flex and change shape and this needs to be accounted for at relaunch anytime you mess with the shaft. I think there is some information on this fact in the transmission manual.
Laura Olsen
Past Commodore
S/V Miramar
hull 938 (MKI 1989, TR,WK, M25xp)
Edgemere, MD
laura,
to my knowledge they didn't adjust it at all when it was in the water, i'll discuss that with them, thanks
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
I believe the adjustment Laura would be suggesting would be a shaft alingment this should be done in the water due to hull flex as she states.
Replacing the shaft seal should not effect this and there should certainly not be much play in the shaft up down or sideways. Fore and aft movement is accepatable as it is just loading and unloading the thrust bearing in the transmission.
If you have up and down movement of the shaft I think you will be coming back out of the water soon but, like Laura I now little about the PSS seal.
Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas
Steve,
i agree that the symptom that i'm seeing has little to do with the shaft seal and a lot to do with the movement/flexing of the shaft. i don't know that i specifically looked at the shaft before but i can't believe that there was a much movement as what i am saw after the installation of the fitting. i just don't know enough about what i saw to know what the cause might be. in all fairness I haven't talked to the yard about what i saw. at this point all i can say is there wasn't a problem with any type of water intrusion before and now there is. as long as i don't use the engine to propel the boat it's all good! it is a SAIL boat after all
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
Mike
What Steve has said in relation to shaft aligmnmemt (angular in relation to the motor) is correct. Installation of the PSS seal should not affect that.
Also since presumably the seal didn't leak before the installation then the lateral shaft alignment (up, down and sideways) was also correct.
Therefore what has caused movement in the shaft and the leak has been caused by the installation process.
There is also a fair bit of info on the PYI Inc website.
You can clear the seal of debris by separating the carbon seal which presses onto the stainless steel collar due to the bellows pressure.
Also allow for a break-in period of about and hour. I have also polished the seal on my boat with fine emery paper to reseal after a slight spray mist developed. Normally you should expect the seal to be completely dry.
Also you must ensure that the bellows pressure is correct and the water supply adequate - all described on the website and essential for correct installation and dry operation.
While this won't solve the shaft movement it may help overall in your discussions with the yard.
Peter Taylor Melbourne Australia. Altair #2227 2005 C36 Mk11
Did they re-use the old coupling..? That's generally a big no-no and could be why you have slop in your shaft. Straight couplings are RARELY reusable once removed due to the layer of rust broken free during removal.
Also they may not have compressed the bellows tight enough during install. Your mounts could also be getting soft and worn allowing the engine to move forward under load thus allowing the bellows to un-compress.
-Maine Sail
https://www.marinehowto.com/
the pss shaftseal was brand new, i didn't just replace the bellows. as for the motor mounts, i guess it is a possibility but i didn't see any evidence of any kind of water seapage with the old seal and in order to get the boat to the yard i had to motor about 1 and 1/2 hours. seems like if that were the problem i wouldn't have shown up when they changed the coupling. i guess i'll have to wait and see what they find but it is discouraging. the main reason i had a yard to the work was i didn't want have this type of issue come up and i figgered they would know what they were doing, it's a bummer
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
Thanks, Steve, for clarifying my comment regarding alignment.
It also occurs to me we should also ask: did they change out the cutlass bearing? Perhaps that has loosened up too?
Laura Olsen
Past Commodore
S/V Miramar
hull 938 (MKI 1989, TR,WK, M25xp)
Edgemere, MD
just wanted to close out this thread, the folks at the yard got back with me. it seems that the shaft was worn at the location that they placed the seal and that what was causing the wobble in the shaftseal. what is amazing to me is that they said that they knew it was worn and they STILL put the fitting at that location! if they could see that it was worn seems like that would be a clue that there might be a problem.
so i see a new shaft in my future but at least it is put off for a bit
thanks for the input
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
Mike,
When you get a new shaft, insist on a SS or Monel or Aquamet shaft. Bronze shafts are too soft, and prone to bending with the slightest help. Also, as Maine Sail has pointed out, get a new coupling when you get a new shaft. CY actually has some of the best prices around for SS shafts.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
[QUOTE=TomSoko;7990]Mike,
When you get a new shaft, insist on a SS or Monel or Aquamet shaft. Bronze shafts are too soft, and prone to bending with the slightest help. Also, as Maine Sail has pointed out, get a new coupling when you get a new shaft. CY actually has some of the best prices around for SS shafts.[/QUOTE]
Tom,
I will point out that Tobin Bronze shafting has been gone from the market for many years. If someone is quoting bronze shafting it is NOT bronze shafting and an inferior rod.
For shafting in the ocean there is no substitute for Aqualloy 22 or Aquamet 22. Nitronic 50 is also used. 304 & 316 are corner cutting alternatives to AQ-22 and are often substituted or offered by some disreputable shafting shops.
Just installed a 1" X 58" AQ-22 shaft with split coupling in an Ericson 34 and it ran the owner about $425.00 fitted, faced trued and ready to go..
-Maine Sail
https://www.marinehowto.com/
While you're at it, check this:
[URL]http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance/50076-two-year-tef-gel-ex...
Graham Mackey
SV Nostromo
1989 C36 908
Tall Rig/Wing Keel
Toronto, Canada