changing packing

[tryme]

I have been putting this off for too long and now I need to do it.  I have a 99 epic 21 and I have my Teflon 5/16' packing.  I saw some posts how to swap the packing how long of a job is this and what tools are really needed. 

[Capt Rick]

The easiest is to buy from Harbor frt the small pick set. Remove the cotter pin,
unscrew the white plastic nut closest to engine until you can pull the gland closest to engine. Then using the curved pic pull out the packing. If there is a white plastic washer then you need to pull that out . Cut using a new razor blade, the packing by wrapping it around the shaft and mating it end to end. Insert the packing with the end at top. Then using the plastic gland push the packing in as far as possible the start to tighten gland using hand only then loosen one turn. There are only two packing. replacing one will be ok. inspect that you get a drip and not a constant run. if no water comes out then run boat for 15 minutes and loosen nut.

Capt Rick

also read bulletin on packing replacement.

[tryme]

thanks got a pick kit ordered.  is the second packing just to hard to get out? 

[Echelon73]

I did mine a few years ago.  If memory serves me right, I had a heck of a time getting the plastic washer to come out.  Then I had a really difficult time getting the old packing out.  I didn't have a small pick at the time so I was trying to dig it out with a screw driver.  I agree that a small 90 degree pick will make the job much easier.  You can't really look in there very well so you sort of have to do it by feel.  I removed all the old packing.  Once that was done the new packing went in easily.  I question Toyota's decision of using a plastic nut for this.  I know it keeps you from over tightening the nut, but I prefer the brass one my Malibu had.  This job took me probably three hours to do.  I used to do these in 15-20 minutes on my Malibu.  I think mine had never been changed (since 1999) and just did not want to come out.  I used the newer Gor-Tex GFO packing because it does not drip at all (no matter how lose I leave the nut).  I have been using it for several years now on a few different boats with no problems and like the dry bildge.  Good luck.