Stuffing Box Packing Flax - Does it go bad?

[Roniszoro]

I have some stuffing box packing flax in a drawer on the boat. It has been there for 7 years. Does it go bad (like a tomato) or can I use it?

[JstaRebel]

Originally Posted by Roniszoro

I have some stuffing box packing flax in a drawer on the boat. It has been there for 7 years. Does it go bad (like a tomato) or can I use it?

Yes it does go bad and I've seen some so rotted that it turned to powder when digging it out of the stuffing box. I would suggest that you use Teflon instead of flax when replacing it. Same product, same sizes, installed the same way. One is just made out of Teflon..

[uncle stinkybob]

Western Pacific Trading Co. PTFE Flax shaft packing. Great stuff.