Dripless Shaft Seal

Boat Systems
1

I have to replace the dripless shaft seal on my F38. Is there any particular make that fits easily, works well and is readily available?

2

I can recommend the PSS seal from PYI. Works well and the people at PYI are very nice to work with.

– Geoff

3

Geoff, the yard tells me that I only have approx 6.5 inches of shaft to work with and I believe the PYI seals are too long. Is that the case?

4

Check out http://www.pyiinc.com/index.php?section=pss_shaft_seal for details on the PSS. 6.5" isn’t a lot.

– Geoff

5

I did check the PYI site. That’s when I realised that 6.5 inches won’t work…

6

I decided to go with the Tides Marine seal shaft system. I understand this is a specific marine seal and should be a big improvement on the original seal. I will report back on my experience in due course.

http://www.tidesmarine.com/seriesone-shaft-seals.html

7

I just launched my F-25 and noticed that the propeller shaft seal is leaking.
Does the boat have to be hauled in order to replace? How big of a job is it and where can one be purchased?

Thanks,
Joe

[Moderator note: I deleted the other topic which was a duplicate of this post.]

8

I’ve never heard of a way to replace a shaft seal with the boat in the water. Perhaps there’s some way to do it, but I would suspect that it’s risky.

– Geoff

9

I replaced my PSS shaft seal last year (actually just the parts recommended for every 7 years and included in the maintenance kit) while out of the water. The only way I can imagine doing this in the water would take a lot of nerve. Remember to get it off you also have to remove the coupling to the transmission.
However, if you have a PSS its possible that the drip is caused by something caught/stuck between the stainless ring and the ceramic bushing (or whatever its called. Try pushing the bellows aft like you would to prime it when launching. Water will spray in a bit. Then release and you might have a better seal. If this doesn’t work you can try again with a good light and inspect the face of the bushing for smoothness and even clean or perhaps sand with a very fine wet dry sandpaper but I suggest consulting PYI INc. They answer the phone and are very helpful.

10

I also had a small leak and was able to stop it by sliding the collar aft so that it pressed tighter against the carbon? bushing/bellows. There are two set screws, one under the other, that hold the collar in place the first has to be removed to access and loosen the second.

11

I had a PSS seal put in my F36/38 and it is tight. To make it work needed to have new shaft with a but cut for the keyway. With the Tides Marine needing 6" you should look at how far the keyway extends beyond the coupling.

Jim Demerest
Lady of Remes F36/38

12

“prime before launching”? Maybe I missed something. Anyway< I tried exactly what you suggested, pushing aft then back and the leak stopped! I motored around for about an hour and continued to check, still no leak?