Impeller Puller

[emandvee44]

My Annual battle with the impeller is coming up, and I would like to avoid the blood, sweat, tears and excessive time, usually associated with this operation. Note that I do grease the shaft before insertion but it makes no difference, It is always a struggle to remove it after a year.
I am thinking that an impeller extractor would be a worthwhile investment. I have seen lots available on line, some of which have eye-watering prices (at least for me). Can anyone recommend a suitable tried and tested one at a reasonable price?
Thanks,
M.

 

[sailorman]

i use 2 flat blade screwdrivers
do you replace the impeller annually ???

 

[RichardS]

I use two of the orange plastic impeller levers which ensure that no damage can be done to the pump, although access is not a problem.

Richard

 

[Jamie Dundee]

I bought one of these which works ok, they also supply a smaller one. Impeller Puller Removal Tool for Impellers Over 65mm - 114mm
The first one I had seized solid after a couple of uses, ASAP replaced FOC with no quibble. I thought they might have had similar problems in the past. The new one works fine, no issues so far.

 

[Poignard]

I use a pair of round nose pliers and work round the vanes pulling each one a little at a time until it comes free.

I don't know if it applies to your pump but with the original BUKH DV10/20 Johnson pumps you have to guard against pulling out the pump shaft with the impeller so you need something to hold the shaft back as you extract the impeller. Later pumps have the shaft supported on ball bearings so that precaution is unneccesary.

 

[Plum]

My Annual battle with the impeller is coming up, and I would like to avoid the blood, sweat, tears and excessive time, usually associated with this operation. Note that I do grease the shaft before insertion but it makes no difference, It is always a struggle to remove it after a year.
I am thinking that an impeller extractor would be a worthwhile investment. I have seen lots available on line, some of which have eye-watering prices (at least for me). Can anyone recommend a suitable tried and tested one at a reasonable price?
Thanks,
M.

I made my own using a toolmakers clamp, like this one, Axminster Tool Maker's Clamp - 63mm for sale online | eBay whereby the jaws slip between the vanes. I modified the jaws by cross drilling and inserting a small stainless M4 screw and filed the end of each screw to a point so the points dig into the impeller when you tighten the clamp. The clamp then gives you something to hold on to and give it a tug.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[jim.howes]

Jabsco produce 2 impeller removers which are easy to use, but much cheaper and probably in your tool box 2 screw drivers(same as sailormans) they work a treat. Same question as sailormans do you really change the impeller every year? Take off cover count how many impeller blades are missing, if none feel blades for being flexable put cover back on and keep spare impeller for when you really need it.

 

[davidej]

I bought one of these which works ok, they also supply a smaller one. Impeller Puller Removal Tool for Impellers Over 65mm - 114mm
The first one I had seized solid after a couple of uses, ASAP replaced FOC with no quibble. I thought they might have had similar problems in the past. The new one works fine, no issues so far.

I was lucky enough to find the Jabsco version of these in a box of nautical stuff I bought second hand. I am sure the vendor didn't realise it was there. I certainly would pay the, as stated, eye watering price for a new one - over £100

 

[Jamie Dundee]

I was lucky enough to find one of these in a box of nautical stuff I bought second hand. I am sure the vendor didn't realise it was there. I certainly would pay the, as stated, eye watering price for a new one.

Access to the water pump on my boat is a bit gynaecological with no possibility of a straight pull at the impeller. The price paid reflects the pain avoided by having the correct tool ?

 

[emandvee44]

Thanks everyone for your replies - very useful.
Yes, I do change the impeller annually; a small price to pay for peace of mind! See below for reason


One year old, and it was still pumping!

M.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I bought a cheap pair of long nose pliers, heated each 'nose' in turn and bent them inwards enough so they can grip the centre rubber boss. Easy to use, just open up, grip the centre rubber boss and pull. Had the same pair for several years and 2 boats. My Impeller does have easy access though so may not be ok for all engines.

 

[sailorman]

Thanks everyone for your replies - very useful.
Yes, I do change the impeller annually; a small price to pay for peace of mind! See below for reason

View attachment 97696
One year old, and it was still pumping!

M.

I have never ever had one like that, i cant even remember the last time i lost a vane & i carry many spares. I only change impeller when i think i need to,never annually

 

[Lucy52]

ASAP have an extractor for £61.22 inc. for impellers up to 65mm dia.

Lidl currently have some long nose pliers for a reasonable price, which look like they could benefit from having their noses tweaking. Not a lot to lose but I think the offer will run out soon.

 

[davethedog]

Our boat has a Yanmar 4JH3E engine and would love to meet the sadist who decided to put the water pump where they have, as only safe way to remove the impeller is with one of the low profile impeller pullers.

 

[Jamie Dundee]

Thanks everyone for your replies - very useful.
Yes, I do change the impeller annually; a small price to pay for peace of mind! See below for reason

View attachment 97696
One year old, and it was still pumping!

M.

I’d be interested to know where all the bits ended up.

 

[NormanS]

Like some others, I use two screwdrivers, have no problem getting it out, but I have good access to the pump. As my boat is laid up ashore each winter, I take out the impeller every year, inspect it, and usually reinstall it in the Spring. I think it's better out, rather than lying for months with the same vanes bent by the cam.

 

[LittleSister]

Never previously had any problem extracting impellers, but I have had on my current boat/engine, even when greased and in place for a year or less. So I bought one of those extractors (from ASAP perhaps), only to find there wasn't enough room in front of the water pump to use it properly.

Bukh cunningly hid the DV36/48 seawater pump under the exhaust manifold, behind the starter and above the oil cooler, so it's only accessible at an angle from one side. My installation has very little spare room to the side, and engine access is from above, so I can't even see the impeller without a mirror!

I have got some angled long-nosed pliers, but couldn't get enough pull on the impeller from above and to one side. I can usually get the impeller out if I apply enough brute force, skinned knuckles and swear words, but a smaller extractor, ideally right-angled, would be a boon.

 

[rotrax]

I have one of those pullers too. Inherited from a previous boat.

If I used it on my Genset or the Bukh DV20, it would be perfect.

But then, of course, due to both those pumps being easy to access, I would not need it!

Both of those impellers could be pulled or prised out easily.

Our Yanmar 4JH4-HTE impeller is under the alternator, heat exchanger, intercooler and several hoses. With just the alternator off, I can do it with a struggle. The puller wont go in - too long and a bad angle!

It is a substantial piece of rubber and bonded bronze. Thank goodness Yanmar recommend replacement every 1,000 hours. Heat exchanger and intercooler service is the same, so in future It will be dismantled and the impeller changed at the same time.

FYI, Yanmar are supplying some impellers with a simple thread in the centre. This takes a small flywheel type puller as used on outboards and motorcycles. A practical and far more elegant solution.

I have reported this before. A fellow Island Packet owner - we shall call him Tony, for that is his name - used the same impeller for 23 years. He would remove it every lay up and drop it into a glass of water. It was replaced before launch. As he was an experienced and very good sailor, his engine was little used.

He would be using it now but for the pisstaking of his fellow IP owners regarding his locked wallet....................................

 

[rogerthebodger]

If you buy an internal caliper and bend the legs then the opposite direction this would then grip the rubber to allow the removal of an impeller.

A pair of engineering dividers could also be modified to do the same job

 

[emandvee44]

I’d be interested to know where all the bits ended up.

I found them at the entrance to the heat exchanger. I have also had impellers with one or two cracked vanes. I am careful on first start up after lay up; fill the hose from vetus filter to pump. Sometimes I fill the intake hose too, and open the sea cock as the engine starts. Usually possible as there are 2 of us there for launching. M.