I've had a PSS seal on my boat for 10 years or more. Last year ('10), I put on a rebuild kit, eg., new bellows, O-rings, etc. All worked fine.
This year, launched the boat, burped the seal until water came out, as usual. Some weeks later while motoring, I noticed a rattling noise that got more and more frequent, then a loud howl and vibration. :eek: Put the trans in neutral and checked things out; noise was coming from the seal. I burped it and all was well, no noise, no leak from the seal.
This past weekend, I was motoring for a couple hours and it happened again, though I didn't wait for the howling noise. When I went to burp it, I actually burned my fingers on the stainless shaft ring and got steam when water splashed on it. Yikes...!!! Motored for another hour and a half and all was fine; was only warm to the touch after I anchored.
Has anyone else encountered a problem like this??? Mine is not the model with water injection, which I believe is only needed by high speed/power boats. I never had this issue before this season, so don't know why it's suddenly appeared. Haven't contacted PSS yet, but thought I'd see what folks here have to say.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
Gary,
I noticed a similar problem on a boat I raced on a few years back. The owner would routinely have to burp the PSS every few hours, or it would overheat and start chattering like crazy. I'm not sure why some do this and some don't. I can only guess that speed and shape of the hull have some "draining" effect on the bellows? PYI stopped selling the non-vented shaft seals a few years ago. I think the simple solution would be to get a new graphite flange with the hole for the vent hose nipple from PYI. You don't have to connect it to a water source (such as the exhaust cooling water), but you would have to lead a hose to a point above the waterline at all angles of heel.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
I have a feeling you're correct. Figure there's a reason for that vent hose on all of the newer models. Curious how much that'll cost me.
I emailed PSS and will see what they come up with. It's just curious that it would start all of a sudden after so many years.
Thanks for the reply.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
Just to close this out: I received a call from PYI today, nice guy by the name of Daniel Schalk, to follow up on my email. He was also at a loss to explain why I was suddenly having an issue after many years with none. I explained that I'd posted to the forum, and that someone else had seen the same problem. He said that PYI had seen some isolated problems with air getting into the stern tube over the years, so stopped selling the un-vented models.
I asked about buying just the new style vented graphite part, and he took care of that over the phone, giving me a deep discount to compensate for the problem. Included new O-rings and set screws. Emailed me his contact info in case I have any further issues or questions.
I thought this was exemplary service for a product that has been in service on my boat for 10 years or more. I probably won't install it until the boat is hauled for winter storage, but will give it a complimentary burp in the meantime, before motoring any distance.
PS. One theory we discussed; I'd been pounding to windward into a chop at 6+ knots for 6 hours or so. Could be that enough air bubbles were getting under the boat and up into the stern tube to cause the issue. Just a guess.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay