Gore Tex GFO packing?

[formerathlete]

I'm thinking about changing out the packing on my 2000 X-22 before the end of this season and was wondering about using Gore Tex GFO packing instead. For those of you have have used that, is the procedure different than traditional packing? Should I replace all packing or just one side (think I read somewhere that one side is okay). Also, is it okay that there isn't a much of a drip with this type of packing? Any tips or pointers is helpful. I will follow the procedure from the maintenance section but wonder if there is more I should know about.

Lastly, when testing the drip rate, should the boat be in gear? I've seen different answers to this question and want to settle it for good here!

Thanks.

[Capt Rick]

Follow the steps and repack 5/16"  do both sides of washer. / I am happy with that packing on one previous boat .

retest after running a proper,  is a drip while shaft is moving.

Capt Rick

[formerathlete]

Thanks Captain Rick,

I'm assuming 'retest after running a proper' means retest the drip after a short drive around the lake?

Also, on a 2000 X-22 direct drive, it is a 1" shaft, correct?

Thanks again for your reply.

[Sammamish Skier]

I'm using GFO on my E22, pretty happy with it two seasons in.

[formerathlete]

So I changed out all the packing and replaced with 100% GFO Gore packing, as I mentioned. Tested boat yesterday and don't get any drip at all, even with jam nut totally loose. Is that ok? Drove for an hour or so and checked again and still no drip. Jam nut and pieces felt warm to the touch but not hot. Hose it fits into was cold. Do you guys think it's okay? I know that packing is supposed to be virtually dripless but I didn't see any drips, so I'm hoping that's not a problem.

Thanks.

[Sammamish Skier]

So theoretically it shouldn't drip when the shaft isn't turning and should drip slowly with the shaft turning. Mine is warm but not to the touch when it is dripping properly. Adjusting it takes two people.

[formerathlete]

We didn't have a drip in neutral (only checked in neutral for a short time) or in gear for at least 2 minutes straight a couple different times.

[Sammamish Skier]

The only thing I can think of is that the nut was tightened too tight initially. On my boat I was able to loosen the hose from the hull to the packing box and then wobble the packing  box around the shaft with the packing nut loose to reform the GFO then start over with the adjustment. I left mine very loose until I put the boat in the lake

[formerathlete]

Thanks Sammamish. I loosened the nut more and that did the trick. I must have had it too tight initially, like you mentioned. We now have a drip every 30 seconds or so when the nut is fairly loose. That seems more consistent with what we should expect with that packing. Thanks for the help.

[formerathlete]

BTW, we live in Snohomish and occasionally get out on Sammamish, maybe we'll see you out there sometime.