Remove the impeller over the winter?

FlyingDutchman

FlyingDutchman

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Since we have clocked up only 20 hours this year, I have decided to use the same impeller next year again. What would be best: Take the impeller out and store at home (protected with some lubricant) or just leave it in the water pump?
Taking it out would prevent the blades from curling up and allow for inspection but also has the risk of damaging it. But I have also noticed that after taking an old impeller out, the blades that are curled up get back to normal in half an hour so that would mean it is ok to leave it in the pump.:confused:
 
I faced a similar dilema over fuel filters. We also had very low engine hours during the last season. I've decided to leave them unchanged. Oil and filter change is a "given". For me, impeller is, too. I once lost a blade during the course of a season so I now have an inherent distrust of them. I leave it in place over winter and replace it with a new one just prior to launch. No doubt someone's experience would suggest that I'd be wise to change fuel filters. It's a fairly straightforward job so I'd recommend that you replace it!
 
My sympathies! I have been known to run an engine for several years before changing impeller or filters due to low hours, but it risks increased acid corrosion to the engine and possible failure of the cooling system. Having learnt how to service the engine, I would now always change the oil and filters and although I change the impeller, the old one is kept on board as an emergency spare - best compromise I can justify to myself.

Rob.
 
If your boat, and engine, are going to lie idle for six months, I would certainly remove the lmpeller. It's only a matter of moments to take it out, and better fot it than being permanently bent in the one position in the pump. Just remember where it is, and to replace it in the Spring.
By replace, I mean put the same one back. If it's only done 20 hours it'll be fine.
 
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NormanS said:
If your boat, and engine, are going to lie idle for six months, I would certainly remove the lmpeller. It's only a matter of moments to take it out, and better fot it than being permanently bent in the one position in the pump. Just remember where it is, and to replace it in the Spring.
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i read somewhere to store them in olive oil
 
Is it true that, having flushed antifreeze through the coolant system to winterise the engine, you should remove the impeller to prevent it from sitting in a bath of potentially harmful glycol all winter?
 
Many thanks for your thoughts and views.
In the past I have always done the "complete package" (oil, filter, impeller, fuel filters), but now I change the fuel filter on the engine (not the CAV filter) once in two years provided I find no dirt in the CAV.
This spring I changed the impeller as usual and found it in perfect shape before I threw it away. This is why I think they will last 2 years. I will take it out and inspect it and store it at home. Also, it is a big one (MD22A) that is quite expensive, something like € 50.-!
 
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If you are taking out the impellor for the winter or just to inspect it then why not put a new one back as half the job of replacement is already done and they are not very expensive. As previously suggested, keep the old one as spare. It is part of routine maintenance best practice.

It doesn't make sense to me that some people want to see how many seasons they can get out of an impellor and then boast about it.
 
FlyingDutchman said:
Since we have clocked up only 20 hours this year, I have decided to use the same impeller next year again. What would be best: Take the impeller out and store at home (protected with some lubricant) or just leave it in the water pump?
Taking it out would prevent the blades from curling up and allow for inspection but also has the risk of damaging it. But I have also noticed that after taking an old impeller out, the blades that are curled up get back to normal in half an hour so that would mean it is ok to leave it in the pump.:confused:
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I have only changed my impellor on a 2 year cycle for some time now. I know people recommend removing them over winter but I have never managed to get one out without causing slight damage - even using the appropriate puller - so if you remove it I think you have to replace it. However if a visual check reveals no cracks at the base of the blades a low milage impellor should be good for a second season.
 
Mine sits on the chart table all winter. It gets a very close inspection and if there's no cracking it goes back in come spring. We only do less than 80 hours a year and the first one lasted some 7 years. I only swapped it in the end because I felt guilty about keep re-using it. I'm sure their design life should be at least several hundred hours.
 
alahol2 said:
Mine sits on the chart table all winter. It gets a very close inspection and if there's no cracking it goes back in come spring. We only do less than 80 hours a year and the first one lasted some 7 years. I only swapped it in the end because I felt guilty about keep re-using it. I'm sure their design life should be at least several hundred hours.
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Exactly

If you are only doing 20 hours a year then changing the impellor is just plain wasteful. All I would do is turn the engine over by hand when you visit so that the impellor rubber does not stay squashed in the same place.
Similar argument for fuel filters - you are probably letting more carp into the sensitive parts of your injection system by changing the filter than you are saving by a newer filter. The exception to this is if you suspect you have watery sludge and billy bug in your fuel tank - in which case I would swap them and have a good look inside the can.
Over maintenance is not sensible.

"the fuel injection system of a good diesel engine should be left severely alone"
 
Halo said:
......
Similar argument for fuel filters - you are probably letting more carp into the sensitive parts of your injection system by changing the filter than you are saving by a newer filter. The exception to this is if you suspect you have watery sludge and billy bug in your fuel tank - in which case I would swap them and have a good look inside the can.
Over maintenance is not sensible.......
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Yes. Beta specify 750 hours for engine fuel filter change, on their smaller engines. At my rate of use that would be every 6 years.

I have found that Johnson impellors have lasted one year or less. Jabsco replacements have been much better. I always remove the impellor at the start of winter, Johnson rubber distinguishes itself by cracks and missing vanes.
 
I run my engine (raw water cooled) fill up with antifreeze and then change the impeller at the start of the next season when I am back in the water.
If you have filled a raw water system with antifreeze how do you remove the impeller without losing antifreeze.(only on raw water cooled engines of course)
I do change my oil at the end of the season.
 
ditchcrawler said:
I run my engine (raw water cooled) fill up with antifreeze and then change the impeller at the start of the next season when I am back in the water.
If you have filled a raw water system with antifreeze how do you remove the impeller without losing antifreeze.(only on raw water cooled engines of course)
I do change my oil at the end of the season.
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Why do you worry about loosing the antifreeze? As long as there is no water coming into the system you should be fine with less antifreeze?
 
ditchcrawler said:
I run my engine (raw water cooled) fill up with antifreeze and then change the impeller at the start of the next season when I am back in the water.
If you have filled a raw water system with antifreeze how do you remove the impeller without losing antifreeze.(only on raw water cooled engines of course)
I do change my oil at the end of the season.
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If the antifreeze runs out then there is nothing to freeze anyway so no problem. I suppose it may leave the empty waterways liable to rust but I doubt if it's a serious threat with the low temperatures in winter.
 
doug748 said:
Yes. Beta specify 750 hours for engine fuel filter change, on their smaller engines. At my rate of use that would be every 6 years.

I have found that Johnson impellors have lasted one year or less. Jabsco replacements have been much better. I always remove the impellor at the start of winter, Johnson rubber distinguishes itself by cracks and missing vanes.
Click to expand...

a fuel filter is pennies, in the scale of yachting expenditure zero.
fuel in boats is more prone to detritus than your car
 
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