I have a so-called dripless PSI shaft seal. Basicly ok, but occasionally the stator starts to oscellate on the shaft. The oscellation builds until the inside of the graphite stator strikes the shaft producing a loud rattling noise. Some water spray sometimes accompanies this performance. Used to occur at normal cruising speed, but last week, I caught it in the act with the prop free-wheeling while we were sailing. This can't be good. I keep thinking that graphite is slightly brittle, would be messy if the stator cracked.
I was able to reduce but not eliminate the oscellation by sliding the rotor aft, increasing the compression of the rubber boot. Don't know how much of this is ok.
Engine seems reasonably steady, and last time out of water, cutlass bearing was ok. (Obviously, no vibration from engine when prop free-wheeling under sail)
Anyone out there have experience with this? Can I ignore it or should it worry me?
-DA
I was able to reduce but not eliminate the oscellation by sliding the rotor aft, increasing the compression of the rubber boot. Don't know how much of this is ok.
Engine seems reasonably steady, and last time out of water, cutlass bearing was ok. (Obviously, no vibration from engine when prop free-wheeling under sail)
Anyone out there have experience with this? Can I ignore it or should it worry me?
-DA