2006 R21 EC cutlass bearing/packing gland

[bcbud101]

so here's what happened upon launching the boat for the first time this season, after warm up put it in reverse to back away from the dock and engine almost stalled out, gave it some more revs and seemed ok but immediately started to make squealing noises. reduced revs and switch to forward gear and engine almost stalls out at low rpm. Put it in forward gear same issue. Back to the dock quickly and sat for 5 or so minutes mulling it over. Started it back up and now no issues whatsoever with revs or squealing noises, shifting smoothly all seems good and so head out on the lake, check things out about 2 minutes later and notice the packing gland is dripping to where it could be called more of a steady stream and is very hot to the touch. Back to the dock, haul it out and head home to do some research. Prop needs two hands to get it to spin, once it's spinning it's a little easier to turn but not much, there also looks to be rubber protruding out of the cutlass bearing where the shaft exits the hull. What confuses me is that the is packing gland is dripping very steadily but is still running hot. Am I looking at potentially two issues here? packing gland and cutlass bearing? Any ideas or input much appreciated!

 

[Newf]

It seems strange to me that you would have almost a stream of water coming through the gland packing and it would still be hot. Anything is possible I guess but have not heard this one before. I'm sure others with chime in.

If it takes two hands to turn the shaft at the prop then it is certainly binding somewhere. On my 2014 R21EC with thumb and 4finger on the shaft I can rotate it with ease. The binding could be at the cutlass/cutless bearing but not sure how the heat would transfer through the hose to the gland area in a short time.

First thing I would do is back off the gland nut completely and see if the shaft spins freely. If it does then you may have found your problem. Replace the packing and spin again.

If it doesn't spin freely with the packing nut backed off then it is probably binding at the bearing. You can check for play by trying to lift up and down, side to side at the prop. You should feel some minor play. If there is none at all then it is probably binding.

I would then check your coupling alignment prior to pulling the bearing. You noted that it looked like rubber coming out of the bearing. It should be flush with the end on bearing so probably something going on there.

I'm not a mechanic but I would do checks in that order. Good luck.

 

[bcbud101]

Thanks for the info Newf! Boat is at the mechanic and they're going to start with the cutless bearing as looks like the rubber inner has spun and is being pushed out as well. Hopefully the shaft isn't damaged as I'm not sure how long it's been like that. If it is, I guess i'll need to replace that as well. Not sure the cost of a shaft or if it can be welded and turned back down to spec (being stainless probably not easy or that much cheaper) but will cross that bridge when we get that far I suppose. Anyways thanks again.

 

[Newf]

Your welcome. I sent you a PM earlier but if you have it at the mechanic's then you've got it covered. Hope you have it back in the water soon.