time to impeller change

mquiet

mquiet

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2009
1,500
North carolina
Boat Info
1999 480 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Caterpillar 3196
Hi everyone. Just a quick question, How many engine hours until one should think about changing the impellers for the engines, genny, and A/C? Also how about the entire casing versus just the impeller itself. I have a 2000 340 with about 260hours on the engines and 60 hours on the genny. Don't know about the A/C unit. Also I don't know if there is a difference between I/O's or V-drives, but I have the V-drives.

Thanks,
 
IMHO - It depends (Grin) Sorry could not help myself.

Okay, back on topic.


It does depend on the area you boat in if you go into muddy/dirty areas your impeller will have more wear and tear on them. I always shoot for 150+- hours or every other year depending on which comes first.
 
I had mine changed at 160hrs. As Chuck said a lot depends on the area you boat in. I know some fresh water guys who say it's been 10 yrs since they changed. Better safe than sorry for me.
 
Ditto the above.
Type of water you boat in also plays a significant role.
If you boat in silty water, or have said hello to the bottom a time or two and sucked sand up into the intakes that can cause accelerated wear.

I do mine every 2-3 years.
 
I wonder if this is something a 'rookie" can do on my own or should I just pay (ouch). Might try both. Start on my own and then have yard complete if I am over my head. I am in storage for season now. Might be able to complete prior to going into the water. I read that I need to add dish detergent. Can I do this even a month before hitting the water?
 
mquiet said:
I wonder if this is something a 'rookie" can do on my own or should I just pay (ouch). Might try both. Start on my own and then have yard complete if I am over my head. I am in storage for season now. Might be able to complete prior to going into the water. I read that I need to add dish detergent. Can I do this even a month before hitting the water?
Click to expand...

Dish detergent? That could help in inserting the impeller if it's tight I suppose; mine pop right in without a problem.
If you can change your oil, you can change an impeller. The job itself is as easy as it comes-it's access that can pose a problem.
For many of us, it's going to be easy on one engine, and ridiculous on the other- the one where it's on the outboard side of the engine, up against a fuel tank with no access.
My stbd. engine is a piece of cake; port engine required both of my mechanics to get to it and it was easiest in that situation to pull the bolts holding the pump and remove it completely, rather than try to replace the impeller with the pump in place.

Of course, you can do it a month before splashing.
 
For me it is every other year or 150 hours or so. It was access that determined if I was going to do it or pay.......if you do not know if it has been done I certainly would get it done before the season starts.
 
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The first time I changed mine was after 2 seasons, approx 100hrs. We boat in very clean water and I'm not one to see how close I can get to the beach. The impellers had very little wear but every blade had a shallow crack across the base on the tension side.
 
I will go ahead and try in the spring. It will be added on the "need to do" list for the spring. But I am also hearing you all say that I do not need to do the whole "lube" the impeller thing with Dish soap. That is great. Sounded funny, but I don't know much. Thank you all for your insight, the more I read and learn from everyone, it just me feel better about doing this.
 
I do mine once a year at the same time that I change the oil. I don't know about your engine but on the bravo III I/O's the water pump impeller is on the bottom starboard side of the engine. it's driven by a pully on the serpentine belt.

it can be changed once you know "How to get at it"

here is an old thread of mine on how to remove the impeller housing and impeller. check it out and see if it applies.

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4878
 
mquiet said:
Hi everyone. Just a quick question, How many engine hours until one should think about changing the impellers for the engines, genny, and A/C? Also how about the entire casing versus just the impeller itself. I have a 2000 340 with about 260hours on the engines and 60 hours on the genny. Don't know about the A/C unit. Also I don't know if there is a difference between I/O's or V-drives, but I have the V-drives.

Thanks,
Click to expand...

If you have a 2000 and the impellers have never been changed, I think you are walking on very thin ice right now. Recommendations for impellers are every two to three years, and engine hours do not make the difference. I’m thinking here if “********” chimes back in he would recommend you wait till it breaks! I’m not going to subscribe to that reasoning!

My boat is a 06 and I changed mine last season, along with the spark plugs and transmission fluids and filters, oil and filters every year. Preventive maintenance!
 
Not this is totally bazaar. Since when did the mention of the word CONTENT get “star'd” out like some of the other words like CONTENT:huh:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Adding the dish soap is just a preventative measure against dry starting. If you know how and plan to prime the pump before the initial startup, you don't need soap or anything else. But, at less than $1, I can see no reason not to do it.
Good luck in becoming a contortionist.
 
Mine lasted about 125 hours and 2 1/2 years. Replaced them today in inboard 8.1's (see post). They didn't look like they needed it. I run in salt water, but rinse the raw water system with fresh water every time I return to the dock.
 
My service manager told me "about 300 hours". However, as everyone has weighed in, it all depends on how much you use your boat, type of water, freshwater flush or not, etc. Not changed mine- yet (205 hours), but will probably do so this spring.
 
mquiet said:
I will go ahead and try in the spring. It will be added on the "need to do" list for the spring. But I am also hearing you all say that I do not need to do the whole "lube" the impeller thing with Dish soap. That is great. Sounded funny, but I don't know much. Thank you all for your insight, the more I read and learn from everyone, it just me feel better about doing this.
Click to expand...


Lube it with the dish washer liquid soap. It is cheap insurance so that you do not spin that brand new piese of rubber up against the walls of the pump, dry. It will tear itself to pieces in 2-3 revolutions if it is completely dry. Just put a little in there when you re-assemble. Look for the bubbles behind the boat when you start it and you can be sure it is passing water and working correctly.
 
Just a note: On my boat with Alpha I/O's, the impellers are in the drive, and replacement requires a haulout. Therefore, I replace every two years. If replacement were an in water job, like it is on Bravo drives, I might go a bit longer, closer to the recommended replacement interval.
 
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