Should a stuffing box leak?
When properly adjusted, stuffing boxes are designed to “leak” slightly at two to three drops per minute while the engine is running and the shaft is turning. There should be no dripping when the boat is at rest and the shaft is not spinning.
How do you stop a stuffing box from leaking?
When a stuffing box starts to leak excessively, you should tighten the packing nut until the leak stops. This may be all that is required, but each time the nut is tightened, it squeezes and compresses the packing further, forcing it tighter around the shaft.
When should I replace my stuffing box?
The rubber hose connects the bronze stuffing box to the boats shaft log and needs to be replaced periodically. If this rubber hose cracks, deteriorates or starts leaking, it can sink your boat. Most references suggest replacing the rubber stuffing box hose every seven to ten years.
What does a stuffing box do?
A stuffing box or gland package is an assembly which is used to house a gland seal. It is used to prevent leakage of fluid, such as water or steam, between sliding or turning parts of machine elements.
How tight should a stuffing box be?
The packing should be snug but not overly tight. If you have to hammer it in then it’s much too tight. You should be able to press it in without a great deal of difficulty. But there should be some friction so it is not flopping around loosely, either.
Why stuffing box packing is dry?
Too-high friction can also be caused by the drying out of the packing elements. Figure 3.95. A common type of stuffing box. Normally, oil produced in the well stream lubricates the sealing surfaces, but intermittent pumping or a heading fluid production can result in the drying out of the packing.
Why do stuffing box applications require some leakage?
Most applications allow for a small amount of leakage between the shaft and packing, in order to lubricate and cool the packing material.
How do you maintain a stuffing box?
Water is required to lubricate conventional packing, so a properly adjusted stuffing box can be watertight when the shaft is stopped, but it must drip when the shaft is turning. Two or three drops per minute are adequate. It is not uncommon to see stuffing boxes leak at a much higher rate.
How much does it cost to tighten a stuffing box?
Tighten 1/8 turn at a time its easy to over do it and if too tight will overheat. Properly adjusted it will drip just a little underway but not at rest. All this depends on the packing still being good, last one I changed came out as dust chips didn’t even look like packing.
What can cause damage to the shaft inside the stuffing box?
This small amount of water serves to lubricate the shaft. Sealing the shaft completely will cause a buildup of heat and eventually damage the shaft. This is a clay-like substance designed to mold to the inside of the stuffing box to seal without water lubrication.