Seawater impellers?
 

I was wondering how often you should replace seawater impellers?

i change mine after 2 seasons or every 100 hours!!!! bill

Yea, ditto here. I look at them every year and change them every other year. I am running one of the blue ones from Globe on one engine so if that one look good this winter I may keep it in for a third year.

Every season or 100 hours max for me.

I learned the hard way. It is cheap compared to what it can cost you.

I carry two spare impellers all times and replace at the beginning of each season.

AMEN!! Every year in spring.....$36.00 for two, why take a chance for less than $40.00???

I change both each spring , just so there is no doubt. Although I have been thinking on going to the "blue" impllers. Since I have been known to snag a plastic bag or two they could save me some grief:rolleyes:. Any opinions on this?

-every season

I lost both impellers last summer and each time I replaced them with the GRW's. I did this because mine are an incredible pain in the a$$ to get to and I didn't want to have to change them every year. My temps were rock solid at 160-170 all summer, but my engines are just stock 7.4's. I got them from george at boatfix.com and I think they were right around the same price as the standard ones at West or Boatus.

Bill272,
If thats a 272 SR1 your talking about , I share your pain:( I've finally got mine down to under and hour each:D

I am impressed!! I got the second one done in around 2 hours, because at that point I knew what I was doing. It sucks when actually rebuilding the pump takes 10-15 minutes. My next boat will have some space in the engine room, because I hate having to stand on my head to do anything.

Hey Bill272,
The first time I did it I wound up pulling the engine after I dropped the pump in the bilge:mad: I can now do it without even standing on my head:cool: Instead of tying this up if you want to hear my method pm me and i'll 'splain to you...it's easy
:D

PM sent...

GLOBE BLUE IMPELLERS
 

Go for a Globe blue impeller. These impellers last for many years, in fact, it may outlast your engine!

Have not tried the blue impellers but I change mine every spring. Some years I change them twice the sand from the river gets to them. Not sure the blues will help that. I am still using the stock plastic or phenolic (spelling?) housing. I change housing and impeller and carry a spare you never know. I have found my housing gets worn and that if I don't change it every time my impeller will not last as long. Mine is much easier to change at home in the shop then out on the water. :D

Para,
Where do you boat that has that much sand:confused: or do you use your drives for rotor tillers:D :D

been learing to change mine on the boat at the last minute :(
Last time out at LOTO I qeustioned how much water was comiing out :( temps were fine but I could tell flow was loww
next time out I had to change it on hte trailer at the marina
took about 1:20 min it is actually easier for my fat a$$ to remove the back seat then climbing in the bilge :(

mopower> Colorado River - Lake Havasu, roto tiller thats a good one. LOL :D

Now a question for all who change their own sea water pump impellers. I have the 454 MAG EFI with the seawater pump driven by the engine and coupled to the fuel pump.

The book I have says to remove the whole unit from the engine before breaking down the seawater pump.

I wonder if it is practicle/possible to just take the plastic body off the back of the unit and change the impeller without removing the pump from the engine?

Anybody tried this or have any advise on it?

change them when they puke...i can have the pump off and engine back running in 15 min...i have PLENTY of room to work on the engines...will never own a boat that doesn't...actually we can sleep in there, in the DONZI!...speaking of puking and pump changing.....my x-wife fed the fish while i changed the last one out in 5 footers....started to make me feel a little green hearing it:(

Boy Audacity,
You two sound like a real good time:( .I sure would like to party with you animals:rolleyes:
Feeding fish...turning green...Hmmmmm
Maybe you should take up golf instead of gulf:D

they will not let me back!

audacity,:D :D :D

I found the biggest problem in changing mine on the water was getting the damn inlet/outlet hoses off. Just no room to work the hoses to the housing loose otherwise it would be a snap.

Anyone ever splice their hoses back a foot or so from the housing to where you could easily remove them? Thinking of doing this over the winter if I can.

Heres what I do on my twin Bravo Mark 4's. Remove the suction hose from the elbow fitting at the transom plate. Tie a pice of line to the end of the hose. Now unbolt the pump bracket from the engine, lower the pump and pul it forward enough to get at the discharge hose. Remove the discharge hose and pull the whole mess out. Disconnect the line from the suction hose. Repair as needed and reverse. Use the piece of line to pull the suction hose back to the transom assembly as you get the pump in position.