How to install a new impeller on 2006 5.0MPI Bravo 3

I have a 2006 200 Select w/ 5.0MPI Bravo 3 with 189 hours on it. I've never replaced the Sea Water impeller since I've owned the boat. Guess what? It finally went out today. Now I have few questions.

Three questions:

1) Should I replace this myself or have the dealer do it? (My concern is the motor is deep inside the bildge and pump is even deeper.)

2) If the dealer does it what would be the cost?

3) If I do it does anyone have the manual they can send me with the step by step instructions? (I saw post on this forum from 2007, but no diagrams)

Thanks!

My first question is have you been changing the engine and drive oil every year? What about your annual service have you been getting that done. My guess is no because you have never had the impeller changed.

If it went out it could of broken off pieces into your cooling system and they will need to be flushed/fished out.

Your Owners manual has the service schedule in it. If you want to do it yourself you will need a service manual.

Marine Max has 2 services Plan A and Plan B and they alternate them. If it's not been done your boat is due for Plan B which is:
Change Engine Oil/Filter
Change Drive Lube
Change Spark Plugs
Change Distributor Cap
Change Rotor
Change IAC Muffler
Clean Flame Arrestor
Change PCV
Remove drive inspect bellows, check engine allignment, grease splines
Remove Prop Inspect and Grease Splines
Change Impeller, inspect housing
then lots of other inspections

Just an Oil Change from MM is $150
Plan A will cost you about $600
Plan B will cost you about $1200

It all depends on what maint you ahve been doing and what the previous owner did.

There was a great post on changing the impellers on a 5.0 Merc with Brave III drive. It has diagrams, great instructions, etc. Do a search.

I followed these instructions and changed mine in 90 minutes. However, you have a harder issue - which is trying to find the bits and pieces of the impeller. You might have to try to reverse blow your cooling system to have them come out. If you don't, you risk having the pieces block something and cause further problems.

Also, you can get the manuals online - do a search and you can find the link for the manuals.

As for the cost, there have been some posts on this as well. It depends on the post, and your local dealer, etc. If you do a search, you might find something.

How often should you replace the impeller? I've not done mine yet and it's been 7 years but only 200 hours on engine.

Slap Shot said:

How often should you replace the impeller? I've not done mine yet and it's been 7 years but only 200 hours on engine.

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Its way past due. Even with low engine hours, the rubber only lasts for so long before it becomes weak and prone to failing.

you should let a mechanic do it. Your boat is a pain in the ass for accessibility. if you open your engine hatch you almost can't see your water pump pulley. Thats how tight searay installs those engines on a 200 select. on bigger boats you can sit in front of the motor and look at it while changing it.

Slap Shot said:

How often should you replace the impeller? I've not done mine yet and it's been 7 years but only 200 hours on engine.

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Mercury says every 2 years/200hrs so your way past due. If you boat in saltwater you probably should do it every year.

I changed mine this year with 160 hours on it and it was beginning to break down - it had even lost a few small chinks. I had almost convinced myself to wait another season but I'm glad I went ahead and did it once I saw it. The job itself is not hard - you just have to reach down so low to get to things - I padded the edge of the engine compartment to keep from permanently deforming my chest. The only thing I can add to the instructions I'm posting - the are probably the ones mentioned in a prior post - is to cut the power and just remove the altenator completely.
You can do it yourself if you have basic mechanical skills but the access is tight.
(I was going to attach the file - it's too big with the diagrams) Maybe I can send it PM.

Every year or 100 hours without fail. In south Florida it's shallow so it is inevitable that we hit sand bars and shallow water. It only takes a few shells to screw up the works. Plus these things wear out with time, not necessarily use. Sitting in storage is about the worst thing you can do for them. I would replace it every spring, it's cheap insurance.

But have your dealer do it, becuase they are a pain. You can afford their services and save your money on oil changes. You can change your own oil for about $85. :thumbsup: