Surface · PCP
Polished Rod & Stuffing Box
The polished rod is the smooth top rod that passes through the wellhead. The stuffing box packs around it.
What it does
Seals produced fluid inside the well while the rod rotates through it.
Basics
| Seal | Packing rings, adjustable gland |
| Watch for | Leaks and heat from worn packing |
| Rod finish | Hard, smooth surface |
Common failures
- Packing leak at the wellhead
- Packing overheating
- Scored or worn polished rod
Troubleshooting
- Symptom
- Fluid leaking at the stuffing box
- Likely cause
- Worn packing or scored rod
- What to check
- Tighten the gland evenly, replace packing, inspect the rod surface
- Symptom
- Stuffing box running hot
- Likely cause
- Gland overtightened or no lubrication (well pumped off)
- What to check
- Back off the gland, check fluid level and lubrication