Stuffing box

[clayton curtis]

I'm trying to figure out how to do some preventative maintenance on a few things before launching this season. Does anyone have advice for maintaining the stuffing box? In the kit we got from the dealer, I found some Volvo penta fett grease, but have no idea how to apply it or where it goes. How often? I saw on some forum you have to 'burp' it once it's in the water, but what does that mean?

Attached is a picture of the rubber box. Thanks for any advice.

/cc

[Paul P]

I'm not sure if I'm doing it correctly but to burp it when she has been out of the water I just give the rubber boot a good squeeze until it's leaking water.
To grease it , I add the recommended amount of grease to a McDonalds straw then flatten the tip and push it under the boot on the prop shaft. Make sure it goes past the seal. Then I just squeeze the grease into the boot.

[Bruce Bogdanoff]

You andI have a dripless stuffing box. The grease is applied in a ring on the shaft as close to the rubber bellows as possible about 1/4 inch wide.

When the boat is launched, you squeeze the bellows to get water coming out of the bellows momentarily. This removes any air in the bellows so the sea water and grease keeps it form overheating and lubricated.

I keep my aft mattress folded during launch and immediately burp the bellows and confirm there is no leakage. Then put the cover in place and unfold the mattress.

Hope that helps,

Bruce, Ben 40, Final-Lee

[clayton curtis]

Thanks Paul and Bruce!  That is why I love this forum!

/cc

[sam]

In almost six years I have never burped the seal. The water flow from the exhaust mixing elbow provides sufficient positive flow. (or I have been very lucky )

Sam

LONGHAWK

hull #9