raw water pumps

[wowzer52]

I know that it is recommended to replace the impeller every year, but who does that? However, I think I waited too long. First thing I noticed was too much steam and no water coming out the exhaust and then the temperature started rising really fast. Shut down that engine and came in on the other one. Cook Engine in Portland OR. had all the replacement parts in stock so I lucked out there. The new housings are one piece and only one ware plate. Nice.









On my twin 351 Merc's it's easy to get to the pumps by removing the alternators but it takes the right tools (foofer). After running the rebuilt pumps for a year it's a good idea to carry some Vasoline, an impeller or rebuild kit and a hammer, especially on single engine boats. The Vasoline is for lubricating the impeller and O-rings during assembly and the hammer is for hitting yourself on the head for not changing it before leaving the dock. Replacing the impeller is not hard to do while on anchor but, as in my case, the housing was damaged and had to be replaced. That goes to show how important it is to do good scheduled maintainance.

[prowlersfish]

I have heard every 2 years ( inspect yearly?), with that said I went longer but they did not look good when I replaced mine .

[Danny Bailey]

Good 'lesson learned' here for everybody....change that impeller every two years. My port pump is almost impossible to get to, it is between the engine and fuel tank with no space to work (like prowler's...he knows what I'm saying) but I take it out, completely disassemble and inspect it and change the impeller every second spring.

[prowlersfish]

Danny I know very well . I can pull the pump on the starboard side in a few minutes The port side takes a lot longer and some not so nice words .The starboard starter is loads of fun too