Leaking Stuffing box

[svaron]

I had my stuffing boxes reconditioned this past winter. They pulled the boxes and cleaned up as they were binding up and I couldn't tighten down on them any more. They also replaced the rubber boots.

I have been tightening down on them all summer after every other run. Tonight when I inspected them I noticed that the drips might be coming from where the boot meets up with the stuffing box. I tightened down on the hose clamps a couple of turns...not sure how much more I should tighten down on them. I imagine that they too would have to be adjusted periodically since they were replaced.

Any thoughts???


Thanks,

Sam

 

[REBrueckner]

Only you can determine where the leak originates.

Two full turns on hose clamps likely means either they worked loose or perhaps were never tightened sufficiently in the first place.

 

[Trojan]

Try adding a second clamp next to the other one staggering the tightening screw. Check the stuffing box when underway to see if there is any run out on the shaft. It should not leak. It is under very little pressure and very little flexing. Its main abuse is radial torque. Check your packing gland and make sure it's not to tight. A tight packing gland will place a tremendous amount of radial torque on the rubber boot. Feel for heat in the packing gland nut. It should NOT be hot.

BILL