PSS Shaft seal woes

[Carpediem44DB]

I spent all summer doing improvements and minor repairs on the 506 and enjoyed many a weekend at the dock in our home marina. Many of the places we frequent were unpredictable at best as to whether they would be open due to Covid restrictions so we were content to enjoy the boat at home. This weekend we were planning on finally taking a cruise with a couple of other boats up to Petaluma. Since we had not had the boat out since Memorial Day I decided it prudent to do a sea trial shake out run up and down the strait. I am glad that I did. The boat shook like a dog shitting a peach pit, would not reach WOT and the PSS Shaft seals leaked like a broken fire hydrant! We got her back to the dock and I called my diver, We have seen others have unusually high barnacle fouling this year so I thought that may be the issue.
I took her out this evening after the diver cleaned the running gear and the shaking was gone and we got closer to WOT but the shaft seals still were spewing water at an alarming rate! The seals were new in February and only have ten hours of run time at most. I'll try adjusting them tomorrow. I just can't see how they can be leaking so much. Last trip out was a 40 mile round trip and not a drop came from them.

Has anyone ever seen anything like this?
Carpe Diem

 

[Golfman25]

If the seal faces aren’t tight enough they will leak. Your adjustment should fix it. Good luck.

 

[NotHerDecision]

A couple of things on this.
1. The faces of the carbon seal need to “wear” in to the stainless ring. It can take a couple hours running time. You may want to make sure the shafts are aligned as well.
2. Pull the bellows back from the seal and lightly sand the face of the carbon ring. Also make sure the bellows is pushing the seal against the stainless ring.

these seals are really great but I have send debris get between them and have the same results you are seeing. Good news is it’s typically and easy fix.

 

[b_arrington]

The seals should NOT be leaking that much. My guesses are something caught in the face or not enough compression on the bellows.

With a higher speed shift rotation centrifugal force will cause the bellows to expand outward and move away from the face seal. More compression would resolve that issue. Mark where the face is now with a sharpie and slide it back a bit. PSS says the initial compression figures are a guideline and not set in stone.

Also the set screws are not reusable as the dull when tightened.

PSS has some good videos and troubleshooting documents. https://www.pyiinc.com/videos.html

 

[PlayDate]

Cause and effect. Due to fouling .......the shafts were vibrating significantly. That would cause the mating surface of the carbon to the stainless steel ring to lose surface contact and leak. Significant vibration could cause the carbon surface to crack or the tension on the stainless steel ring to be lost.

If it is not leaking in the slip without the shaft spinning.....that is a good sign.

As previously mentioned, reset the tension on the bellows. You will need a new set of set screws. My process:

1) Release the set screws (they are double stacked)
2) slide the stainless ring up the shaft where the bellow is only slightly compressed to keep water from coming in.
3) wrap a piece of electrical tape around the shaft to mark the "neutral" position in front of the stainless ring.
4) use the edge of the tape as a reference to compress the bellows 1" to 1-1/4" and tighten the set screws.
5) leave the electrical tape in place so that you have a visual reference if the stainless steel ring moves.

Did they replace the cutlass bearings when they installed the PSS Seals?

 

[Carpediem44DB]

I will be re adjusting the seal today. Just odd to me that it would need to be done 7 months and ten hours of run time after new bellows were installed at the haul out. I guess it is possible that the yard Mechanic did not get the initial tension or compression set properly and since both were done at the same time by the same guy it stands to reason that they would both leak the same. Ill report back. Thanks for the input.
Frankly, for several reasons I am regretting going from SeaRay to the Carver. This boat although a very comfortable floating condo, is just a big POS compared to the SeaRay. I think I will be putting her up for sale and searching for a 540 or a more traditional Pilot house that is anything but a Carver. The near sinking at seatrial should have been enough of a clue to run and many of you gave great advice to do just that. In any event its all good experience and hasn't cost me all that much...Yet.
Carpe Diem

 

[PlayDate]

Just a question....what is that furry stuff next to the shaft seal in the picture?

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Just a question....what is that furry stuff next to the shaft seal in the picture?

Nothing fluffy, Might be just water spray you are seeing or light from the flash. I adjusted the shaft seal collars about 5/16 inch. will do another sea trial this weekend and see if that takes care of it.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Well the 5/16ths added compression on the seals fixed the issue, Sea Trialed this evening and got full power and shaft seals as dry as a bone! Color me happy. Wife put the kabosh on selling her weekend condo though. I actually started looking at the Meridian 459. Very similar boat to the 506, a little smaller but has a cockpit which I miss but best of all it is Cummins Powered. I listed the 506 anyway so if someone bites at my price which has a bit of covid bubble profit built in, maybe she will change her mind.
Carpe Diem