Shaft seals - Are these dripless?

[Booker]

Can anyone tell me what type of seal I have on my V drives? One has a slow steady small stream of water running from it. What servicing is suggested to stop the leaking?


http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/...d/ee54e7be.jpg

[DaFish]

Those appear to be drippless shaft seals. If the stream of water is running from the shaft seal area, then I would think that would need to be replaced.

I have traditional stuffing boxes on our boat, so I am sure someone else with direct experience with these will provide better direction.

[ippa2]

They are either Tides or PSS dripless shafts. I think both have a ten yr life per mfg but can last longer.
A replacement will certainly fix it but sometimes cleaning the shaft where the dripless seal makes contact with the shaft can help too.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[my3sons]

Looks like a Tides Marine Strong seal to me. They are dripless. Does it run all the time, or just while underway? I have Tides Sure seal, which are a little different, but basically, they have a carrier that alows you to change the lip seal without hauling the boat. I can't see if there is one on there from your photo. If the seal body is worn, the new lip seal may not last that long anyway, but you may want to try it, if you can get in there to do the work. Might be time for a haul and new seals, if it's original, it doesn't owe you much. Google up "Tides Marine Strong seals" to learn more...good luck

[AKBASSKING]

I had the same problem and have the PSS. I called the company to get adviceand they have a good video on the seals. They told me that you take out the set screws on the locking collor. There are two set screws per hole. Bottom one bites into the shaft and the top one locks it down. Then you gently tap the ring back about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Then (THIS IS VEY IMPORTNT and don't cut corners), put brand new set screws and you are done.

Differant story if the rubber seal is leaking.

Call the company to get new set screws and they may just send them to you for free.

http://www.shaftseal.com/en/about/in...ll_shaft_seals

[fwebster]

Those are Tides seals.

The photo shows the area between the transmission housing and the lip seal. There is clearly no extra seal on the shaft, nor is there any room to put one or room to change the seal if there were one.

I'm am puzzled at how giving this fellow instructions for setting PSS seal loading is helpful when he has Tides seals...............

These seals are not in very good condition. The shaft tube clamps are corroded and need replacement, and my guess is that the seal body is worn to the point that you most likely will be ahead of the game if you bite the bullet and just replace the seals with the new Tides design with the optional cross-over cooling.

[AKBASSKING]

My mistake Frank. I was at work and couldn't aceess the photobucket. Dang government computers.....

After looking at it I would have to agree with frank. As a minimum, I would replace the clamps, clean it up and then see if the leak is from the rubber seal. If not google the company and see what their procedure for re-setting the stop.

[hottoddie]

Yes those Tides seals. They are better than PSS as they can not have a catastrophic failure but only develop an annoying leak. The OP said they have a slow steady stream of water running from it. If the boat is in the water and the water is entering the boat's bilge then the seal needs replacing. If they boat is on blocks and running on hose water then it is normal for water to be coming out from under the boat and the seal is OK. The other advantage of Tide's seals are they normally have a spare seal mounted in front of the seal assembly that is very easy to change while in the water with very little leakage. Hope this helps.

[Booker]

Great feedback. Hanging upside down is not for me so I will look for repair with new Tides ones in the spring. The leak has slowed and I think I'm good in the water over the winter as long as she continues to pump out.
Thank you all
David