Thinking about trying to change impeller myself (NEWBIE) anyone in GA???

[ugadawg187]

I have a 88 merc 45 hp classic fifty & i dont know when the last time the impeller was changed. It pumps water fine but i'd like to have it done just to be safe. Ive never attempted this before so im nervous about doing it. How hard would it be for me & is there anyone local that can help so i dont have to pay a mechanic $150 if its more than im comfortable with doing? I want to learn how to do this but if i get it wrong it could cost me some serious $$$.

 

[Jacket4life]

Re: Thinking about trying to change impeller myself (NEWBIE) anyone in GA???

It is not nearly as hard as I imagined. My best advice: buy yourself a genuine Mercury manual for your motor. You will find that if you are at all mechanically inclined, you will be able to do A LOT of maintenance yourself. In my part of TX, mechanic labor rates are up to $94 an hour. They wanted $250 to do a water pump job on my motor. (I have a '74 Merc 500) I bought the manual ($35 on Ebay) the parts, (about $50) and did myself in about 2 hours (which if I did it again MIGHT take me 1 hour, I went really slow the first time b/c I was nervous about messing it up.) Long story short, the manual is the best investment you could make in your boat.

Other option: search the threads in this part of the forum, there are several out there that give detailed descriptions of how to do a lower unit removal/reinstall. NOT as good as having the manual, but better than you are right now.

Best of luck!

 

[ugadawg187]

Re: Thinking about trying to change impeller myself (NEWBIE) anyone in GA???

Thanks JACK4LIFE thats on my to do list for sure. I had a seloc handbook on my last motor & i couldnt make heads or tales of it. Ive been told the merc handbooks are alot better so ill check ebay.

 

[blue90HP50]

Re: Thinking about trying to change impeller myself (NEWBIE) anyone in GA???

I.m a die hard Auburn fan myself. Search this forum, say back to January 2010 and you'll find the info you need. Place control lever in forward and don't touch. Loosen all bolts/nuts and drop the LU down. When reinstalling, remove the cowling to access the flywheel to aid in turning engine to align shaft splines. Best to lift vertically, and have some help. If any problems, continue this thread with discription on problem and someone will help you.
Blue

 

[latin monkey]

Re: Thinking about trying to change impeller myself (NEWBIE) anyone in GA???

use some vaseline in water pump housing. it will ease the install of the impeller and wont clogg anything

 

[BoomerSooner]

Re: Thinking about trying to change impeller myself (NEWBIE) anyone in GA???

Go to Youtube and search Mercury impeller change for your engine. There are some great videos you can watch. Helped me out tremendously the first time I changed mine.