[C320-list] PYI PSS Dripless

[bruceheyman via C320-list]

During my last dry dock the shipyard replaced my unvented PYI PSS Dripless with the updated vented one.   The shipyard ran the new vent to the highest point possible inside the engine compartment just forward of the bulkhead.   
This weekend I changed the oil in the engine and transmission and warmed the engine up by running it is reverse in the slip.   I observed a fairly steady flow of seawater out the vent and onto the top of my engine.  I also have notice salt water on the galley sole after the diver has cleaned the bottom. I'm assuming that it is coming from the vent.
Am I correct to conclude that this vent is not high enough relative to the waterline.   I'm thinking of routing it to the highest point possible in the port lazaret?
What have others done?
Thanks,BruceSomerset #671San Pedro, CA

[Chris via C320-list]

I capped mine off and simply burped the seal as I'd done with the previous unvented one (which was in perfect condition when replaced after 20 years in situ). It only needs positive water feed if you plan /are capable of doing high speeds - so redundant in most sailboats.
I felt the vent was just there to act as a backup in case the skipper failed to burp the seal regularly. However, I made it part of my regular engine checks and felt this meant I was also regularly checking the bellows and the security of the SS collar too (which of course had a backup clamp). IR thermometer never showed any heating even after motoring in heavy weather.
I suppose one advantage of retaining it could be if you sail in silty/sandy/shallow waters where there is potential for grit to build up in the shaft log and you could then use the vent line to inject clean water to flush the inside of the seal.

BTW one additional thing to check. When my yard first replaced my old seal they fitted the bellows that turned out to have sat on their shelf for several years. Believe it or not the rubber was perished from the get go! The proof was the date stamp on the rubber. We had words and they replaced it again with a fresh one, at their expense. I then changed yards. Unforgiveable especially for a supposedly high end professional outfit that is/was renowned for its attention to detail and quality.

Good luck!
Chris
(ex owner of AmandaRose #476, no a forum lurker!)

[Cheryl Dahl via C320-list]

Bruce ,
When the yard installed mine I ran the vent tube as high as I could within
the aft engine cover port bulkhead.
I installed a maid of the mist hydronic air bleed at the end of the vent
tube.
They can be purchased for about 30 dollars. It is a small brass vessel with
a float ball inside and will allow air to escape from the top until the
water level rises raising the ball and sealing off the air bleed.
Cheers,
Steve Dahl
Sans Souci
97 -#412 Santa Barbara

[Michael Stumpfoll via C320-list]

When my son and I replaced the engine on my newly purchased C320 this past summer I replaced the shaft, seal, cutlass bearing, and prop at the same time. This time I went with a traditional bronze stuffing box with packing. The last seal I replaced on my previous Catalina, 20 years ago, was a PSS dripless shaft seal and it worked flawlessly all of that time. But considering the failure modes of both types of seals, I decided to go old-school this time.

Lots of online opinions as to which is safer. Hilarious YouTube video with builder of Shannon yachts thoughts on dripless seals here: https://youtu.be/wOi_vvBeN3o
Around 24 minutes in.

Modern packing material is awesome, hardly drips during operation, and does not drip at all at rest. Bought from Catalina Direct. No burping, no bellows, no set screws, etc.

Thanks,
Mike Stumpfoll

On Jan 26, 2026, at 12:31 PM, Cheryl Dahl via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

Bruce ,