Westerbeke 7.0 BCGB impeller replacement

[Two Peas]

Anyone here change the raw water pump impeller on a 7.0 BCGB?

I lost water flow yesterday, and thought I had toasted my impeller. It turns out I had a plastic bag stuck in the through-hull grates, which was dislodged on the cruise back home.

Prior to starting to replace the impeller I started it up this afternoon and water flow is normal. It runs like a champ. However, I think it would be smart to change the impeller now, since I don't know when it was last done.

But, upon inspecting my gennie, the removal of the cover plate for the water pump is no way as easy as the manual says. The manual says that you simply remove the four screws in the cover plate and voila! there is the impeller.

The problem I see is that the cover plate on mine faces FORWARD, right into the meat of the engine. There is a 1.5 inch water hose coming from the heat exchanger right in the way. Even with it removed, the removal of the cover plate is difficult because it will be tough to get a screwdriver on the screws. Maybe with a 90 degree driver, but still it will be tough. It looks like both belts will have to be removed, and then the whole pump removed. This won't be easy, as there is very little room to get in there (I'll probably have to remove the starboard engine water muffler assembly to get in there).

Any better ideas?

For anyone interested, here is a link to the owner's manual: http://www.westerbeke.com/OnlineManuals/44200_4.5bcgb_7.0bcgb_oper_man.pdf

Parts manual: http://www.westerbeke.com/OnlineManuals/45000_4.5-7.0BCGB_Parts_List.pdf

Technical manual: http://www.westerbeke.com/OnlineManuals/44898_4.5-7.0BCGB_Technical_Man.pdf

 

[Skuza]

Sounds similar to ours. I have always removed the pump from the motor and replaced the impeller on a bench. It's not bad to remove the pump. Just pull the belts and then a couple bolts on the pump bracket. Inspect the bracket and pump for the "easy" way to remove it. I wound up taking more apart than was necc the first time. Sounds like more work but it eliminates the need for "jesus hands" and dropping the Westerbeke specific screws!

 

[sbw1]

I have a similar set up. It is cheaper to purchase a new water pump with impeller and then remove and replace the pump. Keep the old pump and install a new impellar in that for use later. If you boat in clean water, the impellers will easily go three years and still look good when you replace them.