Dripless Shaft Seal

[bad1129]

Anyway to determine the manufacture of this shaft seal? It was already installed on the boat when I purchased it. PO is no help.

TIA!

[PippaB]

If that is not a Volvo seal it is a very close replica.

https://www.generalpropeller.com/Volvo-Shaft-Seal

Read the instructions for the Volvo - they are supposed to be greased once/year (normal use), and 'burped' every time you go back in the water. The burping is just squeezing them at the shaft end to let air out of the shaft log, once a little water comes in you release and all done.

For the greasing, get a plastic drinking straw. Load up a little grease in the straw, then pinch the end of the straw flat. Slide the flattened end gently along the shaft about 1/2"(1cm) into the seal, then push your fingers along the straw to dispense about 1/2 the grease, then pull back about 1/4" (5mm) and dispense the rest. There are two lip seals in the unit, and by doing it that way you can get grease behind the aft one, and then in the annulus between the two seals.

Replace every 5 years or so (you may be able to get them to go longer, depends on engine usage). We have been running them for a bit over 10 years, replaced once when one started dripping a little. Generally happy with them, and much easier than PSS, but there are tradeoffs.

If you are installing a new one there is a little plastic sleeve that protects the seal while sliding along the shaft, this is critical if there are any burrs, for instance at the keyway or where a set screw may have bit the shaft. They also require a perfectly smooth running surface on the shaft in the sealing area and can cause slight wear to the shaft in that area over time.