Do i need to lube my impeller?

[Tryweryn]

Changed my impeller today and it went in no problem. I ran the engine and no problem. But was i supposed to grease it and will it cause problems?

 

[MoodySabre]

The Speedseal people recommend silicone grease on the shaft and on the faces of the impeller. This assists removal and reduces friction when turning. Many of us ran impellers without any lube for years and never had a problem. To my mind the important thing is regular inspection and change at the slightest sign of a crack or wear.

 

[pvb]

Changed my impeller today and it went in no problem. I ran the engine and no problem. But was i supposed to grease it and will it cause problems?

It won't be a problem. Relax!

 

[Tryweryn]

Thanks ill it was okay the one i took out but had stiffened a bit.....many thanks job done.

 

[prv]

It doesn't need additional lubrication while running normally. The grease is to prevent wear during the initial period of dry running before the pump re-fills with water. How long that period is, and hence how necessary the grease is, varies wildly depending on your plumbing arrangements and the state of wear of the pump body.

It's probably ok though.

Pete

 

[Burnham Bob]

a bit of lube helps when you are persuading it into the housing and getting the fins to lie in the right direction. in the old days we were told to use fairy liquid and watch for the suds to come out of the exhaust. it also helps in the first few seconds when there is no water to lubricate the fins but i've installed many impellors without lube and never had a failre so relax!

 

[Avocet]

+1 to all of the above. I've never had a problem (and haven't lubricated any of mine with anything). Even though getting the vanes facing the right way is also a good idea, they actually reverse direction anyway (at least on my engine), pretty much every time it stops because the piston comes up to compression on the last revolution and then bounces backwards down the bore so the engine reverses for the last half a revolution. Again, it doesn't seem to do the impellers any harm.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Any grease is likely to disappear very quickly when the water comes through. but it is likely to be an advantage when its running dry.

 

[Rivers & creeks]

And if you have a Vetus type water strainer, unscrew the clear cover and fill the pipes with water so that there is very little time without water.

 

[SailingVet]

+1 to all of the above. I've never had a problem (and haven't lubricated any of mine with anything). Even though getting the vanes facing the right way is also a good idea, they actually reverse direction anyway (at least on my engine), pretty much every time it stops because the piston comes up to compression on the last revolution and then bounces backwards down the bore so the engine reverses for the last half a revolution. Again, it doesn't seem to do the impellers any harm.

Now I know why some of the vanes were facing the wrong way when I changed mine recently - thanks.

 

[nigelmercier]

I would suggest using silicone grease http://amzn.to/1lmk24o

 

[alahol2]

I would suggest using silicone grease http://amzn.to/1lmk24o

Not convinced that is the right stuff... I use this, Carlube... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silicone-Grease-Purpose-Repellent-Carlube/dp/B006O7HTDE/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0T6AXXK8A5ZNNRG69BY2

 

[nigelmercier]

Not convinced that is the right stuff...

It is, but your one would also be OK. I've used MS4 for 40 years, but recently bought some Servisol Silicone Grease, it it much thicker, and is now my preference: http://amzn.to/1BWNi6t

 

[GrahamHR]

VP recommend glycerine ( and their impellor kits contain some). Very cheap, water soluble and effective.

 

[RichardS]

Not convinced that is the right stuff... I use this, Carlube... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silicone-Grease-Purpose-Repellent-Carlube/dp/B006O7HTDE/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0T6AXXK8A5ZNNRG69BY2

Silicone grease comes in different viscosities from very thick - like high melting point multipurpose mineral grease - to very thin, like engine oil.

From reading the reviews, alahol2's link looks like the thin stuff.

Having used several different types over the years, I prefer the thicker stuff although I don't suppose it makes much difference.

For the last few years I have stuck with Servisol http://www.amazon.co.uk/Servisol-Silicone-Grease-50G/dp/B000L97ZPI which is medium grade viscosity.

Richard

Nigel beat me to his reply - great minds think alike!

 

[nigelmercier]

For the last few years I have stuck with Servisol ...

Agreed, same as my link above: http://amzn.to/1BWNi6t

VP recommend glycerine ( and their impellor kits contain some)...

Glycerine? Why would you want it soluble? The last VP kit I bought, and the SpeedSeal kits, contain silicone grease.

 

[alahol2]

Silicone grease comes in different viscosities from very thick - like high melting point multipurpose mineral grease - to very thin, like engine oil.

From reading the reviews, alahol2's link looks like the thin stuff.

You are quite right, the stuff I use is fairly thin, not quite runny. I may give the Servisol a go. Thanks both

 

[alan_d]

Impellors are intended to be water-lubricated, and anything else you put on them will be washed off pretty quickly in use, water-soluble or not. There might be some point in using something to help install an impellor in a dry pump; I tend to use washing-up liquid.

 

[Jamesuk]

I usually just put a small amount of vas on the blades but you can always pull it out again if unsure if it's cold to touch don't worry

 

[nigelmercier]

I usually just put a small amount of vas on the blades ...

You mean Vaseline? The stuff known to rot rubber?

Vaseline has no uses whatsoever on a boat, there is always something more appropriate to use. Even for that