Anyone!! OMC KING COBRA OUTDRIVE
I keep burning up impellers, has anyone eliminated the factory impeller and switched to a crankdriven raw water pump ? If so does it work? Also is this advisable? Impellers for this outdrive are in the 230.00 range

What is the damage and how long are they lasting? Do you just replace the impeller? Do you ever just dry fire it just to make sure it fires? Does your housing have the bleed hose?

Also do you use grease to install the impeller?

I never had a problem with the impeller in a regular cobra.

If you do go to a crank driven pump you need to change the hose to a reinforced type from the transom so ut doesnt collapse under suction

I just started it up for the first time after winter. I had drained the engine of all water before winterizing then filled it up with antifreeze. Tried to start it it fired right up but with no water being sucked up into the engine after about10 seconds I shut it off pulled the impeller cover to find that it had half melted (that quick ) does this type have to be primed before starting ? Yes housing has bleed hose. No grease just some spray lube.

I've been reading on a crank pump does it have the suction power to pull from that far of a distance from lower unit to crank pump?

Also is a crank pump the best way to go?

I was talking to a guy at the boat ramp last year about impellers and he said he had a military grade impeller that the navy seals use on their high speed boats and that they will run out of water, have you heard of these ? And know where to get them ?

Check to see if Globe makes one for your application.
https://www.gcsmarine.com/

those pumps work fine, you have a problem with housing, hose etc, make sure housing is sealing and years ago had sierra impellers that were made undersize and would not work...

OMC impellers needed here

Most likely you need the whole kit - housing, cage, gaskets, impeller, wear plate

Post your model number and serial number here of the engine..

I am lost that the impeller cost 230 dollars. Who is selling you that ? Last time I checked you can but the complete kit for way under that. Most likely what you need anyways. Overheating warps the plastic housing and scares the wear plate. Side note model number and serial number needed here to make sure about your app and service bulletins.