Overheated Stuffing Box

[angus99]

We put GFO packing in our stuffing boxes during our refit. The other day, on a trial run, the port stuffing box was running really hot—obviously “someone” had overtightened the adjusting nuts. I saw 168 degrees on the collar and then steam coming off the shaft before I could get the engines slowed and the collars loosened. Once loosened, everything cooled down—and it leaked quite a bit. It was reading in the 100-teens to low 120s for the rest of the trip.

I assume the SS shaft and bronze stuffing box are unharmed, but I’m wondering if I ruined the packing?

 

[psneeld]

Probably not,, and just gradually tighten it up balancing leak and temp.

I have always been able to get just an ooze and just warm packing glands...not even a drip.

 

[angus99]

Thanks, Scott. I found a spec sheet on Gore GFO and they claim it’s good up to 550*F, so no worries it would seem.

 

[O C Diver]

We put GFO packing in our stuffing boxes during our refit. The other day, on a trial run, the port stuffing box was running really hot—obviously “someone” had overtightened the adjusting nuts. I saw 168 degrees on the collar and then steam coming off the shaft before I could get the engines slowed and the collars loosened. Once loosened, everything cooled down—and it leaked quite a bit. It was reading in the 100-teens to low 120s for the rest of the trip.

I assume the SS shaft and bronze stuffing box are unharmed, but I’m wondering if I ruined the packing?

Was the water feed to the stuffing box closed as in the picture?

Ted

 

[angus99]

Was the water feed to the stuffing box closed as in the picture?

Ted

I knew you’d ask . Good eye!

No the valves were open. I used see-through tubing when I installed them but I can’t say for sure that I’m seeing water in them.

I’m wondering if the tee fitting take-offs on the raw water discharge lines are allowing it to flow?

 

[O C Diver]

I knew you’d ask . Good eye!

No the valves were open. I used see-through tubing when I installed them but I can’t say for sure that I’m seeing water in them.

I’m wondering if the tee fitting take-offs on the raw water discharge lines are allowing it to flow?

I'm wondering if it's air bound. Hard to imagine those temps with water flow. Might want to try filling the tubing with dyed water (food coloring), run the engine and see if the dyed water moves through the system.

Ted

 

[O C Diver]

Angus, you know I'm OCD. That valve plumbing has more leverage than I would be comfortable with. Imo, I would prefer a hose barb and hose with the valve mounted elsewhere. You will probably never have a problem the way it is, but it would be pretty easy to reduce the risk.

Ted

 

[angus99]

I'm wondering if it's air bound. Hard to imagine those temps with water flow. Might want to try filling the tubing with dyed water (food coloring), run the engine and see if the dyed water moves through the system.

Ted

Great idea, Ted. I sorta thought Chesapeake backwater would show up naturally in that clear tubing.)

Angus, you know I'm OCD. That valve plumbing has more leverage than I would be comfortable with. Imo, I would prefer a hose barb and hose with the valve mounted elsewhere. You will probably never have a problem the way it is, but it would be pretty easy to reduce the risk.

Ted

Yeah, I’m not 100% comfortable with it either. They are pretty well shielded from objects hitting them from above, but I may revisit that whole configuration at the next haulout.

Thanks!

 

[LaBomba]

I used Gore packing in my gland when I repacked this year. On the first trip I just tightened it hand tight and it didn't leak much at all. After a couple trips I had to tighten it but only one flat of the nut. We have no water to our gland at all and as I understand it, Gore packing does not require any. We are however in fresh water and that may make a difference.