Baller XR6Hurricane Posted October 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 28, 2015 Trying to help a friend make sure she's getting the right information. I've had many outboards over my life but other than skiing behind inboards, don't know much about them and have never owned one. My understanding is that the shaft is supposed to leak just slightly, like maybe a drop every 30 seconds or something like that, to keep the packing lubricated. Is that correct? Her boat seems to be leaking more than it used to...there's quite a bit of water in it after it sits a couple days. Thought maybe it needed adjustment/work. Dealer said they can't find anything wrong when she took it in to get it winterized, but that they can't really check it without it being in the water. Does that sound right? I would have thought that there would be a way to pressure check the shaft? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted October 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 28, 2015 You have to adjust the packing nuts with the boat in the water. You are looking for a drip every 10 seconds or so. You need a couple special wrenches to do the job. Once adjusted, put the boat in a forward idle for a bit and make sure the packing nuts are not getting hot. Or better yet just switch to a water cooled dripless shaft seal like modern boats have;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller keithh2oskier Posted October 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 28, 2015 Per my 02 SN 196 manual, it says "The propeller shaft stuffing box should be checked frequently (with the engine off) for excessive leakage other than a few drops per minute. This rate is acceptable and expected. I heard 1 drop for every 10 seconds which is about the same as a few per minute... Speaking of which, I need to adjust mine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted October 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 28, 2015 One more thought, what kind of boat is it? If it is a Malibu then you may also have an hds box leak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller TallSkinnyGuy Posted October 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 28, 2015 The shaft is not the only place water could be getting in when it is not running. Any of the holes in the hull that are under the water line could potentially leak. For example, the raw water intake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted October 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 28, 2015 Are we talking boats or should you go to a Doctor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ToddL Posted October 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 28, 2015 @ShaneH, have you ever had to deal with shaft seepage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Orlando76 Posted October 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 28, 2015 You can actually crank the packing quite a bit tighter than 1 per :10. If after idling for a few minutes and packing box isn't too hot to touch your in the clear. I'd steer clear of a DSS, costly systems with an increased failure rate. You can always fill bilge up with water while boat out of water and look for water leaking out. The latter isn't always as clear as one would hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller LeonL Posted October 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 28, 2015 My 196 may drip a little, but it's sure not a drip every ten seconds. It's an '08 and I've never adjusted it. All season long and I never drain the bilge. When I pulled it out for the winter I soaked it up with a small towel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skiep Posted October 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 28, 2015 Don't forget the packing seal at the rudder! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller GOODESkier Posted October 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 28, 2015 They make a nice graphite packing material that is "drippless" I have used it on my rudder and prop shaft on my last 2 boats. Would highly recommend. Easy to do if you have some mechanical know-a-bouts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller XR6Hurricane Posted October 28, 2015 Author Baller Share Posted October 28, 2015 Thanks guys. It is a 2000 Prostar 195. I hadn't thought about the rudder or the water intake. All I can say is that I really really really love outboards and always will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jimbrake Posted October 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 28, 2015 @thager - you beat me too it, you bastid. The competition to be the primary smartass on this board is stepping up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted October 29, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 29, 2015 @jimbrake Smartass? Me? Fine Sir, I'll have you know that I am a gentleman and a scholar! Ohh.. You're on!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jimbrake Posted October 29, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 29, 2015 @thager - no, ME. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted October 29, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 29, 2015 @Horton It's going to be a long winter!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller A_B Posted October 29, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 29, 2015 A little seepage is a good thing. Most inboards left in the water should have an automatic bilge pump if the time between usage is long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted October 29, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 29, 2015 Loose platform brackets on an lxi will also let a lot of unexplained water in that can't be found by filling bilge with water. Not sure how a prostar is set up but might be worth checking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted October 29, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 29, 2015 It only hurts when I ski! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Commuterfisher Posted October 29, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 29, 2015 Mine only happens at night? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller DaveD Posted October 30, 2015 Baller Share Posted October 30, 2015 TMI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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