Another shaft packing thread...

[polar21]

I changed the packing out on the boat a couple of months ago. I put the boat in the water and proceeded to adjust the nuts to get water to drip out at the normal interval. It felt like the packing nut was barely screwed on before any water would come out. On the 99 outbacks, there is only room for one round of flax, so that is all that is in there. Is it normal for new packing to be this good at stopping the water flow? I tightened it down a little bit and water wouldnt come out. I have taken the boat out a couple of times since this and dont want to get the shaft to hot, although I know water is getting in there (just not dripping out). What do you think?

[DOCDRS]

i had a 99 outback ls and the packing never dripped for 10 yrs. I questioned the dealer about this around around year 2 and he said don't worry about it.....so i didn't and never had an issue, and never had to tighten it either. the boat still did 4500 rpm and 45 mph the day i sold it with 450 hrs on it. 10 years later