Seawater pump impeller change - 454 MPI
#11
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From: Wichita, Kansas
#12
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From: Wichita, Kansas
I understand everything you’re saying. It’s all tight and down low gets harder as time goes on. I do mine every other year so it’s not like you get use to the repetition. You did same thing I do. Pull filter bracket, water pump hose, put pump on bench and replace impeller. I mark the hoses to ensure they go back on pump correctly. Easy mistake= no water flow. You almost waited too long. That impeller was about to come apart and start plugging up coolers.
When I was 40 years old, this would have been far easier...nearly 65 and, while the mind is willing, the body says, "WTF are you DOING???"
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Baja 252 Islander
Baja 252 Islander
#13
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From: SW Ohio
I changed the seawater impeller in our Rinker exactly ONCE. I had the entire back seat out, and it took me almost a week in the evening hours after work. The next time came to do it, I learned how easy it was. I dropped it off to my dad's "guy", and he told me to come back in an hour. When I arrived, I found him with his head on a stack of towels, feet in the air, finishing up the job. When he came up for air, his face was redder than our boat. I said something about an "easier way", and he informed me that that WAS the easy way. I've not even contemplated it since. The PQ is even worse. I just drop it off at Hilltop Marine in Bronston, KY and let them do it. Just farq that.
Thanks. Brad.
#14
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From: Wichita, Kansas
Bajaman,
I changed the seawater impeller in our Rinker exactly ONCE. I had the entire back seat out, and it took me almost a week in the evening hours after work. The next time came to do it, I learned how easy it was. I dropped it off to my dad's "guy", and he told me to come back in an hour. When I arrived, I found him with his head on a stack of towels, feet in the air, finishing up the job. When he came up for air, his face was redder than our boat. I said something about an "easier way", and he informed me that that WAS the easy way. I've not even contemplated it since. The PQ is even worse. I just drop it off at Hilltop Marine in Bronston, KY and let them do it. Just farq that.
Thanks. Brad.
I changed the seawater impeller in our Rinker exactly ONCE. I had the entire back seat out, and it took me almost a week in the evening hours after work. The next time came to do it, I learned how easy it was. I dropped it off to my dad's "guy", and he told me to come back in an hour. When I arrived, I found him with his head on a stack of towels, feet in the air, finishing up the job. When he came up for air, his face was redder than our boat. I said something about an "easier way", and he informed me that that WAS the easy way. I've not even contemplated it since. The PQ is even worse. I just drop it off at Hilltop Marine in Bronston, KY and let them do it. Just farq that.
Thanks. Brad.
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Baja 252 Islander
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#16
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From: Indiana
I believe most of the pieces will be in oil cooler, hopefully in the bottom. If it is like mine ( 98-502) hose from pump goes to P/S cooler first which is just open pipe so they should gon through, then on to oil cooler which has tubes in it. Gpes through cool fuel module before oil cooler if you have that.
#17
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From: SW Ohio
I believe most of the pieces will be in oil cooler, hopefully in the bottom. If it is like mine ( 98-502) hose from pump goes to P/S cooler first which is just open pipe so they should gon through, then on to oil cooler which has tubes in it. Gpes through cool fuel module before oil cooler if you have that.


That’s where I found them.
In my defense, those impeller bits are from a time before we owned the boat. Every impeller we’ve changed has been whole when it was pulled.

Thanks. Brad.
#18
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From: Lake Ozark, MO USA
On my boat, I can sit down in front of the engines and tug, cuss, cut my fingers and hands to do the job. I do what Griff does, leave the hoses on and take off the bracket, after the fuel lines and all the other crap, loosen the hoses and the pull right off. BTW, I put a little film of Merc lube on the fitting before installing the hose. They go on/off easier. Good Luck. Spider Monkey is definitely easier.
#19
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From: York Haven, PA
This image is why I'm installed a sea strainer between the bravo3 leg and my sea water pump lol.. I know that won't keep impeller chunks out, but I wonder how many impellers get shredded from debris in the first place... not so much just age..
#20
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From: SW Ohio



Me too.
Thanks. Brad.
Last edited by Brad Christy; 03-21-2025 at 11:43 AM.


