[Public-List] Propelled Shaft Leak

[Roy Jarnagin]

I had a leak appear in my PSS dripless seal a couple of years ago. I eventually ended up cutting a large enough piece out of the inboard wall of the port side cockpit locker to access the shaft seal. (Actually big enough for me to crawl through.)  My seal was covered by a little triangular shelf upon which sat the Vetus waterlock.  I removed the waterlock and cut out the fiber glassed-in shelf. My very capable helper fabricated a simple mechanism with a couple of plywood scraps and some long, fully threaded bolts. We loosened the hose clamp around the stern tube and used the aforementioned mechanism to carefully and evenly push the PSS bellows slightly forward. The leak stopped and we put everything back as it was, except for the cutout in the locker. I just have an oversized piece of painted plywood over that hole for now, but eventually want to construct a proper removable hatch. Access to the aft portion of the engine and transmission is a really good thing.

I can't exactly imagine how your fuel tank might prevent you from doing the same procedure. Seems like it could be a big issue.

Roy Jarnagin

Southern Serenity #72.



-----Original Message-----
From: Public-List [mailto:public-list-bounces at lists.alberg30.org] On Behalf Of Daniel Swords via Public-List
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2018 10:09 AM
To: public-list at lists.alberg30.org
Cc: Daniel Swords
Subject: [Public-List] Propelled Shaft Leak

Oh no, a dreaded propeller shaft leak. Right now it is just at the aggravating point where it is large enough to be noticeable (bilge pumps cycling on for 8 - 10 seconds about every 4 - 6 hours) but too slow to definitely determine the source. But my propeller shaft is my prime suspect. Either my PSS dripless shaft seal or the space between the shaft tube and the deadwood (deadfiberglass?). The area is wet but no identifiable drips or trickle of water. Unfortunately my 15 gallon aluminum diesel fuel tank is located under the cockpit sole and over the shaft seal. My initial question is, if the fuel tank must be removed (a nearly impossible task that may require removal of my Yanmar diesel engine-apparently the cockpit sole was removed and replaced at some point and the engine and tank were installed during that process by a PO) what are some suggestions for a replacement tank and location?  Currently 5 gallons of fuel lasts me over a month, lots of sailing but very little motoring. 


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