Removing impeller - see pic

Matt_E · Newbie Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 21 City: Arlington, TX

I am replacing my impeller for the first time. Once you take the cover off, are there any other tricks. I used needle nose pliers and ripped one of the vanes. I wanted to get some opinions before yankin the he**out of it.
Any ideas will be helpful

89 skier · Addict Joined: 30 Jun 2004 Posts: 729 City: Dallas

It should just come off with some force. When I changed mine, it was already chewed up pretty bad, so there wasn't much rubber to hold it in there.

Maybe you can get it wet and that may help. Or just some other lubricant that is water soluable. But there isn't anything holding it in there besides friction from the rubber on the side walls.

If that doesn't work, keep pulling off the vanes till it gets a little easier.

oshensurfer · Posted: Oct 08, 2004 3:36 pm Post subject:

Use some silicone lube and it should come out.

NautiqueJeff · Criminal Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 51 City: Lake Anna, VA

You might as well just give it a good pull. You're going to have to replace it anyway.

ohsix · Posted: Oct 08, 2004 4:54 pm Post subject:

Why are some of the vanes going in different directions? All of them should be going with the rotation of the impeller.

Anyway, go ahead and do whatever it take to get it out, just don't hurt the housing. Also when you install the new one make sure all of the vanes are folded with the rotation of the impeller. I usually put hand soap on the new one and rotate it as I push to make it go in easier.

prestige · Outlaw Joined: 20 Jul 2003 Posts: 133 City: Kelowna

What engine is that? Is the Mercruiser 350MPI easy to get at? I haven't changed mine yet, but hope to in the spring.

Jon · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 1176

That impeller still looks pretty good to me. You might want to keep it as a back up. Do what everybody else is suggesting. Lube it up and pull with two pairs of pliers, wiggling it back and forth.

tommyadrian5 · Addict Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 907

mercruisers are pretty tough to get at, requiring taking the entire water pump apart IIRC, nothing is as easy at the indmar crank driven impellers, its a 5 minute job once you know how to do it.

Matt_E, with the impeller cover off, put your key in and just tap the starter, don't start the boat, but just let it crank a 1/4 turn, that movement, without the cover, will loosen up the impeller and it will back out with needlenose

Matt_E · Newbie Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 21 City: Arlington, TX

Thanks for the help...After tugging on it and tearing a few vanes, it finally came out.

I am going to try to find a tool to fit in the center(middle of impeller) for when I have to do this again.

Prestige, it is a 5.7L Indmar (Supra Launch 2003)

Liquid*Force*Rider · Posted: Oct 09, 2004 11:25 am Post subject:

Matt_E, that looks like a good impeller yet

why are you changing it?

tommyadrian5 · Addict Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 907

yea, it does look ok, but either way, it should be changed, and at the least removed, every year

if you are going to change it in the spring, then you can leave the old one in until then, if you are going to keep it, you should remove it anyways and store it inside, especially if it gets freezing where you live, as the rubber gets brittle when it is heated and cooled alot, like over the winter, and will definitely not have the integrity it has when new when you go to use the boat next

snyper1d · Outlaw Joined: 28 Aug 2003 Posts: 117

First off, spray some sort of lube between the impeller and the raw water pump housing. I like to use marine grease and a small brush.

Then, pull your kill switch on your dash. Then bump the starter over a few times to get the vanes completely lubricated.

It should come out with ease after this.

Make sure you put some grease on the splined shaft or inside the replacement impeller in order to have an easier removal for next service.

wesgardner · Posted: Oct 11, 2004 3:35 am Post subject:

Hey Matt_E,

I've always used two screwdrivers....convensional wisdom says change it every year whether you think you need to or not - cheap insurance...

Wes

Stephan · Guest

All good advice, especially what wes said with the soap & rotating while installing the new one. Like you said every year replace, no matter what it looks like. We also keep a spare in the glove box, just in case. We started this after we wrecked our pump & had to limp back with the Fat Sac pumps into the water manifold. McGyver ain't got nothing on me.

MrBlean · Posted: Oct 11, 2004 1:14 pm Post subject:

I agree with Wes. Two narrow bladed screwdrivers pushed firmly into the centre section of the impeller about half an inch in from the front face from opposite side of the housing. Use the screwdrivers as levers with judicious, equal pressure on both equally and a few little wiggles will pop it out. Don't push so hard on the screwdrivers that you puncture the surface of the impeller but no big deal if you do. Better to damage the centre than the vanes if you plan to keep as a spare for emergency use.

roundbaywakeboard · Posted: Oct 11, 2004 2:38 pm Post subject:

NautiqueJeff, is that your nautique on your little image thing? If so- I'm diggin' it. I'm looking at getting an '05 SuperAir 210 Team Edition.