Alpha drives "impellor"

[Brent]

Alpha drives \"impellor\"

Good day boatie's, please can I ask the knowledgeable ones amongst you the following questions on the above subject. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

1) Realistically how often should the water pump impellor be changed.
The ones on my drives have been in 3 seasons done approx. 75hrs.
2) I’m a practical guy rebuild mini’s as a pastime, Alpha service hand
book makes the job of changing the impellor look straight forward.
But is it !!

The drives are off at the moment in my garage (to pigging cold to work on them in the yard). Would it be best to take them to a dealer and have them do the job. If I take this option……….. how much of a arm and a leg will it cost.

 

[BarryH]

Re: Alpha drives \"impellor\"

Bearing in mind that the boat has to be out of the water to change the impeller. Now would be a good time to do it!

Three seasons use out of one is not bad. What you've got to remember is that the impeller will take on a "set" as its a tight fit in the pump housing. So with your 75 hrs use in three years its sat inactive for a fairly long time. Its not unheard of for them to break up after long periods on inactivity.

A few quid now will guard against problems later! Worth changing the oil too.

 

[Freebee]

Re: Alpha drives \"impellor\"

Its not difficult, check the impeller housing too mine was aluminium and very badly corroded, replaced with nice plastic one. After standing rubber blades do take a set and get hard, it does not matter how few hours they have done impellers can be damaged if you take the ground they suck up sand and small stones etc.

remember new gaskets required.

 

[spannerman]

Re: Alpha drives \"impellor\"

Its very straightforward, first drain the oil, then split the drive. Remove the impellor housing and replace the impellor and the gasket under the housing, lubricate the impellor with washing up liquid or glycerine so that it won't be dry when you first start and it will help with priming. assemble the drive making sure the small 'O' ring on the righthand side which seals the oil channel between upper and lower halves is in its recess( for the cost I would fit a new one), and the watertube engages with the top of the impellor housing. Also make sure the gearbox is in Forward gear and that gear shift rod in the upper half is facing directly forwards then the gearshift will coincide with the gearbox.
Refill the drive from the lower hole until it runs out of the upper hole.

 

[BrendanS]

Re: Alpha drives \"impellor\"

Easy for you?

How do you drain the oil, how do you split the drive? How do you remove the impellor housing, and where is it???? etc etc

 

[BarryH]

Re: Alpha drives \"impellor\"

From a beer dulled memory, I've not work'd on one for a while! Drain the oil by removing the oil fill and vent plugs. Ditch the o rings and replace. One oil is drained undo the 4 nuts just above the cav plate and one under the plastic cover that holds the whatsitsname thing. Then watch the lot drop cos you didn't support it. Gear shift has to be in the foreard position so yo can get to the thingy......told ypou I was a bit pissed. Its a hell of a lot easier to give to someone else to do! Bloody stupid idea if you ask me. Should have put it in the proper place on the engine if you asl me??

 

[BrendanS]

Re: Alpha drives \"impellor\"

So what you are saying, is pay to get the service done, rather than try it yourself if no competent?

 

[BarryH]

Re: Alpha drives \"impellor\"

Weel its not exactly hard. Quickest I've don one is 45 mins. Could have done it quicker but I stopped for a fag break and a pint!
Bit like riding a bike once you've done it you don't really forget......unless you've pickled your brain!

 

[BrendanS]

Re: Alpha drives \"impellor\"

Assume pickled brain. Now how do you start from scratch?

 

[Brent]

Re: Alpha drives \"impellor\"

Lads

Thanks for the friendly replies.............. I'll get stuck in with confidence.

Cheers and may the season be good!!

 

[ArthurWood]

Re: Alpha drives \"impellor\"

It's straightfwd; the only prob I had was getting the lower unit back on 'cos the cogs wouldn't mesh, so make sure you follow the instructions re gear in fwd.