Re-use Impeller

[afaust]

I took apart my lower end, since it was suggested that I may have an impeller problem. All I noticed was the seals a bit beaten up. How does the impeller look... see pic. If it is ok, is it worth reusing, or should it be changed anyways.... see my other thread about the 45 hp mariner stall and leak about the problems im having.

 

[hotrod53]

For what they cost, id never ever take one out and put the old one back in. It looks like the fins have a good set in them anyway, it looks shot.also look at the stainless cup for wear, again good insurance.

 

[Chris1956]

+1......

 

[afaust]

The stainless cup? In the picture top left, or beneath the white top housing? If I'm going to replace it, it looks like I can get the complete housing for less on eBay than just the impeller and gaskets here.....


And Chris, do I take that to mean u agree?

 

[GA_Boater]

+2 - Yes. that means we agree. Don't re-use something as inexpensive as as impeller when failure can be a major hit to the wallet.

The cup is in the upper housing where the impeller lives. Any scores or wear reduces the efficiency. Same goes for the bottom stainless plate, it should be smooth also.

 

[afaust]

Thanx for the info. Looks like I'm replacing the entire unit.... I know I've got enough of a major repair... Don't need another. Figure my carbs may be the problem..... (see 45 ho mariner stall and leak). now just to put it back together....for now

 

[1nebel0]

I had impellers never started that had taken a set and thus become garbage..lack of use is worse given how the impeller sits in the housing and takes a set...If you used the motor weekly the impeller would last years.. I replace my impeller every year in every boat I own whether it has one hour or 50 hours on it..Not worth overheating a motor for a $25 part....just my 02

 

[afaust]

Thank you for the info, and now I have another question.... putting back together.... In the photo above, you see the direction of the swing of the impeller. If I remember correctly, it was in this direction inside the cup on the top right (if the cup was flipped upside down compared to the image above) My question is twofold...

One, how do I make sure the impeller is in the right direction when putting it back (the new one of course), and Two.... do you use a lubricant, grease, or anything else when putting it back together.... (I was told no by the mechanic at the boat shop when I got the parts and asked what lube they use), but online ive seen everything mentioned from vaseline to grease, to other lubes...... Ideas?

 

[Chinewalker]

If it is a new impeller with pliable rubber, it will self-right no matter which direction you install it. But for the sake of easy installation, turn the driveshaft clockwise as you push the pump housing down over the impeller.

 

[afaust]

Great, thx.... and what about lube or dry???

 

[racerone]

Many folks want to lube the impeller, do not know why.----Water is the lubricant for an impeller !

 

[afaust]

And one other question....the gaskets.... The gaskets that are already on the lower end are quite thick.... And the gaskets are in packs of 2.... I still only use one of each, correct (at least every other gasket I've used in other applications were single.... It's just that the original gasket looks like double thickness... But I can't separate it.... So I just want to do it right.... And this is my first time opening it up.... Logic is single gasket, other as a spare....

 

[MTboatguy]

Hmmmm, let me ponder this for a moment.....New Impeller, New Powerhead, New Impeller, New Powerhead...

Nope, I am going with New Impeller!

:joyous:

 

[afaust]

Tight or not..... I installed the impeller, and the shaft seems quite difficult to turn, is that correct, or should it move freely? Also, the little plastic part at the front of the lower end, has a small hole... Does the plastic tubing go through it or beside? It doesn't seem to fit when the plastic tube is through it....

 

[60sboater]

A new impeller will offer more resistance to the drive shaft then a worn one...ie harder to turn. I did this repair last fall to a 9.8 Merc. The white plastic cover has an extension piece that slips into the top and mates with the water tube when you put the l/u back on. Your cover looks a little different than the one on mine. I don't recall the vertical part having that opening...it was circular all the way around.

 

[afaust]

Ive figured just about everything our, but I can't join the upper and lower units. It jams at about an inch from one another. I've got everything in the right holes (as far as I can tell)... But it just is out of reach of the nuts catching.... Any suggestions?

 

[60sboater]

I recall I had the shifter in FWD up top and the shift shaft on the l/u had to match it...be id FWD too. I believe the s.s. rotates to change gear positions. See that the l/u is in the same position (matches) the main shifter position.

 

[afaust]

That is exactly what worked.... Now I'm wondering.... My original problem was that on muffs, the engine would run fine.... As soon as I put it in the water, it would stall. I've changed the impeller, although it looked fine, however, I NEVER saw any water coming out of the engine.... But I fiddled with a little rubber end on the upper unit and now it's streaming out...... Could this blocked tell tale be my problem all along? See video for how it's coming out..... Also, with all the smoke, too much oil in the mix, or is this normal with an '87

 

[gm280]

It looks perfectly normal to me... :thumb:

 

[afaust]

Great.... But without that water coming out, could that have been causing my motor to stall on the water but not with the muffs?