Fixing leaky PSS Shaft Seals

Diagnosing and fixing our leaking PSS Shaft seals on our 2006 Meridian 341 NSB. I discover a squeaky cutlass bearing leading us to a misaligned shaft and leaky PSS shaft seal. Watch what I do to fix the squeak, stop the leak and put in some preventative measures to stop water from infiltrating into stringers.

[@garylozowski1419]

Excellent video !! I’m not convinced these “Dripless” shaft seals are the way to go. I’ve never had a problem with the old style gland nut and packing that couldn’t be fixed with an 1/8 turn of the nut.

[@elijahmckinney9134]

My wife and I just purchased a 2007 341. We are having shaft seals, shaft and prop balance, and new cutless before we take delivery. We can hardly wait. Love your videos. I feel like I know my boat already. Keep them coming.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Congrats! It’s a great boat! What are they getting for the cutlass replacements? I was considering it as I already have the props off and a special tool is needed to replace those that I don’t have.

[@elijahmckinney9134]

@@AdventuresofHappyOurs The estimate includes a lot... Sending off props and shafts, new seals, realignment of the shafts, cutlass, haul out and testing is going to be around 10k. I am an A/C mechanic. I am use to doing all of the work myself. I am going to leave this to the pros. I would like to see when you pull your risers.

[@rickycoon4857]

nice fix with the hose, appreciate the motor alignment segment as well. 👍

[@TheFosterJourney]

Great video! I noticed spray (lots of spray) from my shaft seal yesterday at high rpms. This video will help me trouble shoot the cause!

[@mikenelson1387]

Thank you for the great video.

[@tracytesmer7033]

Nice job.

[@mvlivinthedream9601]

How did you compress the rubber bellows is there a tool for that?

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

I didn’t compress it but it’s usually done by hand and the set screws tightened.

[@RenoSimpson]

You should buy an inch and an eighth Crow's foot it attaches to an extension on your ratchet

[@terrellwaugh6858]

could have just use some 5200 along the wood seal the gaps (like caulking) but overall great shaft fix

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

It’s just to keep spray water off. Been working quite well.

[@MindBodySoulOk]

Cut the wrench to size and store it in the engine comparment.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

I snagged a smaller one. ;)

[@matthewsilva8225]

I was motoring for about an hour or so on a new to me sailboat the other day, longest motoring so far and I started getting a squealing sound .. it sounded like it was coming from behind the helm. Not from the engine. When I would rev down the squeak would slow down and stop once I pulled it out of gear. When I got back to the mooring I went below and felt the drive shaft it was super hot. Do you think this is friction from the carbon? Or cutlass bearing? I’ve been told to burp the dripless. How?

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Sounds like friction with the shaft somewhere. Engine could be misaligned. Does the PSS seal you have use a water supply to cool the graphite seal? Make sure it is still getting water. It’s usually tapped off the engine somewhere after the raw water pump. I don’t think burping them will do anything. That is to clean the graphite mating surface. You pull the rubber bellows back a little to allow water to flush out impurities. Sometimes you may need to use light grit wet/dry sandpaper and slide it between the graphite and stainless ring to work away fouling, but that’s usually to stop leaks, and not the cause of your friction heat issue.