Fair Price for New Impeller?

[papakevin]

Ok, first I'm a newbie. I'll admit it.<br />Second, I have a manual on order, but it hasn't gotten here yet, so I'm looking for another way to get on the lake this weekend.<br /><br />I've got a 48SPL with a recent overheating issue. I may have sucked in some lake grass, so I'm guessing the impeller may have gotten a little messed up (still moving water, but the stream at idle is not as strong as it usually is). <br /><br />I don't have the manual yet, and I can't find any information on the internet, but I did find a guy who will charge me $100 to replace the impeller (parts included) and make sure the motor is cooling good, with only a one-day wait.<br /><br />Is this a fair price? With the manual, I'm sure I could do it myself, but I want to get on the lake this weekend, so...<br /><br />Any and all feedback is appreciated.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Fair Price for New Impeller?

Not unusual to charge that much.<br />Some shops will really check things over, adjust, test run, possibly find other problems and let you know about them.<br />Replace the entire waterpump if they find damage or wear.<br /><br />Some places will not be as thorough or helpful.<br /><br />If it is a shop, price is ok.<br />If it is "a guy" as you say, with no shop/overhead, insurance, cash on the side, then his price is too high. Unless you have a hot date that you really want to impress with a boat ride.<br /><br />Just my opinion.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Fair Price for New Impeller?

I'd say its too cheap to do the job properly at a good shop.<br /><br />Lets see...we're skimping on the cooling system. If the motor overheats some of the parts that may suffer are the pistons. But they're not that expensive, only about $90.00 each. But the old ones have to come out before the new ones go in. Oh, and machine work. And the gasket set. And bearings, seals, O rings etc.<br /><br />Oh yeah -- and a new water pump because that's what caused the problem in the first place. Hummm...all of a sudden it doesnt sound so bad to have it done right.<br /><br />Truthfully with a good OE manual and some help from your friends here I'll bet you can do he job yourself.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Fair Price for New Impeller?

$100 sounds a little cheap. Figure on $20 for the kit and that leaves only about 1 hour labor. Depending on when the pump was last serviced you may be looking at other parts as well and more labor. You only know once it is opened up. If you are even moderately technically inclined, buy the manual and tackle the job yourself. You will gain some valuable knowledge and experience for the next job that comes up. It is one of the simpler DIY jobs on the motor.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Fair Price for New Impeller?

The water pump kit is about $65.00. Since it overheated you'll want a new head gasket too. See what I mean?

 

[papakevin]

Re: Fair Price for New Impeller?

So, should I get a water pump kit or are you talking worst case? I'm lost...<br /><br />The water is coming out, but it's not strong like it used to be. I was thinking (hoping) it was just the impeller clogged with a little lake grass. Do you all really think I need a water pump kit? <br /><br />My overheating buzzer was only on for a minute or two at most. Did I do any damage to the motor? After it cooler off, I did run the boat back to shore, and it seemed to run fine...

 

[papakevin]

Re: Fair Price for New Impeller?

By the way, it is a local guy who works out of his house, not a shop.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Fair Price for New Impeller?

Who said "we're skimping on the cooling system" ?<br />He asked about the price of replacing the impeller on a motor that is relatively straight forward and easy to work on.<br /><br />Around here it would get done for about $60-$70 by a shadetree, and $100-$120 by one of the shops in town.<br /><br />We don't have any big elite/highend shops within 100 miles, so I don't know what they would charge, but more I'm sure.<br /><br />And, shouldn't an impeller swap only take an hour on this motor?

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Fair Price for New Impeller?

Anytime there is an overheat, the thermostat should be replaced also, along with a complete factory water pump kit.<br /><br />Make sure all the wiring harness on the motor is inspected for melting wherever is is in contact with the engine block. Also check the mounting pads on the ignition coils for melting.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Fair Price for New Impeller?

Anytime there is an overheat, the thermostat should be replaced also, along with a complete factory water pump kit.<br /><br />Make sure all the wiring harness on the motor is inspected for melting wherever is is in contact with the engine block. Also check the mounting pads on the ignition coils for melting.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Fair Price for New Impeller?

that sounds cheap.<br /><br />whats even cheaper.....get a 35 dollar manual and do it your self.<br /><br />anyways .....<br /><br />you should do the whole water pump kit, thermostats and probably head gasket also.<br /><br />have you re-checked the compression to make sure your pistons are still round?

 

[Perfidiajoe]

Re: Fair Price for New Impeller?

Maybe it's my location, but the local outboard dealers charge $95.00 an hour labor here, add the parts, of course that would be list price, & there you go. Anyone can make a case for changing all kinds of parts, but if I read your post right, your overheat alarm went off for only a minute, which should go on actually before overheating occurs. That being said, did you do anything to answer your own question? Did you flush out the motor, did you try to clear the pee hole either with water, back flushing or with a piece of wire? You said it runs well, did you feel the head or thermostat housing to see if it is getting hot? If you run it now does the overheat alarm come on? Maybe all is ok. I Boat in a place called Great South Bay, lots of skinny water & at times of the year lots of grass, I'll pick up grass & have the overheat alarm come on 10 times a year, I change the impeller once a year in spring. I would do these simple things before I started replacing things you may or may not need. IMHO Good Luck, Joe

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Fair Price for New Impeller?

I've always assumed what Joe said to be true - if you listen for the alarm, and shut down pretty quick if/when it sounds - isn't this supposed to protect the engine? I've heard my alarm a couple of times, the most recent last summer about this time. Shut down, fixed problem/clog, started up, alarm sounded again but went off within a very few seconds away as cooling water circulated. Didn't replace pump, didn't do anything with thermostats or head gasket. Engine has run perfectly since then. Am I just luck in ignorance, or is this the way it should be?

 

[Perfidiajoe]

Re: Fair Price for New Impeller?

I believe that is how it is, alarm sound to prevent disasters. Ignore the alarm & things get bad, sometimes quickly, you can always check the specs. on temp. for alarm to sound, but as I said if I were to change the Impeller everytime I got the alarm, I'de be haulin' the boat 10 times a year! As it is now when I replace it in spring I sometimes wonder if I should reinstall the same one, it always looks that good. Joe

 

[papakevin]

Re: Fair Price for New Impeller?

Well guy, it appears - pardon the pun - I'm in the same boat!<br /><br />I've never had an alarm go off. My Skeeter Sd-80 has NO gauges, so I don't know the RPM's of temp. When I was pulling my wife and son on the tube, I probably ran it too hard to get the boat up. That said, I'm looking for any advice on how to clear any clog before I spend money on an impeller I may not need (at least before the manual comes in).<br /><br />Thanks for ALL the feedback. This really is a great site! Thanks Iboats!

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Fair Price for New Impeller?

Dhadley, $65 for an impeller kit ? I can get them locally for $25 CDN or about $20 US. They are the Sierra brand but work just as well as the OEM stuff. The kit contains everything for an impeller change, not a rebuild. If you start talking new insert ($13 CDN), upper pump housing ($38 CDN) etc then I can see the $65 price figure.<br /><br />Kevin after re-reading this post, it was not mentioned when the last time the impeller was changed. If it hasn't been done in at least the last 3 years do it now and be confident it is working properly. Why take unnecessary chances.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Fair Price for New Impeller?

Yep, the kit is $65. And youre right, the Sierra kits seem to be OK these days. There were some issues about 2-3 years ago but they seem to have gotten that under control.<br /><br />I would change the complete kit. For the few extra bucks it doesn't seem worthwhile not to. Especially since Kevin mentioned that hes new to boating which probably means he doesnt know when the complete cooling system service was done last on this particular motor.<br /><br />The cooling system is one of those things that can single-handed leave you stranded. Thats why I always suggest a complete kit. Same labor, good insurance.