Storing impeller over winter

[Scotty_Tradewind]

It's not about drying out, it's about the vanes staying under compression in one place for months on end. This can shorten the life of the impeller and lessen its ability to do the job.

I had an engine mechanic help me to familiarise myself with my 'new' engine and his thoughts were as 'neale' above as I had used the engine little over a 2 month period.
He simply recommended taking out the impeller and wiring to front of engine.

He also had an A4 ticked list of things done in winterising and things to do to recommission in spring. This A4 sheet now attached to main engine switch.

We ran the engine up on land with a hose stuck up the water intake and before taking impeller out, sucking up a bucket of antifreeze through the cooling system.

He also advised flushing antifreeze through the loo and if I couldn't get all the water out of my water tank (and as we don't drink the tank water), to consider putting salt into the last few gallons that I couldn't get out, to stop freezing???

Probably a different material/properties, but in the 60's when I used to do sub-aqua, we were advised to keep our suits in a dark place and to dust in talcum powder??

 

[Seah0rse]

I haven't changed / removed mine for about three years now. I've tried but couldn't get the damn thing out. Starting to worry me now though....

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

I haven't changed / removed mine for about three years now. I've tried but couldn't get the damn thing out. Starting to worry me now though....

There are a few tools on the market to help but one of those pairs of thin bent nosed pliers (having jaws with a right angle at the end) may do the trick. Google bent nosed pliers.

My previous boat had an impeller housing in a very difficult location and there was little space.
I had to use a mirror to do anything.
One of those speedseals helped to start the process.

 

[Skylark]

I tried to extend the life from one to two years after a low-hours season and to my dismay I lost a blade in doing so. Assuming that you plan to take it out of the pump to avoid any permanent set problems, why not simply replace it for the sake of £20.

If you're planning to store one (last years as a spare, for example), I'd suggest a thorough clean, dry and a light dusting with talc.

As my boat is in the slings during haul-out, I always run a bucket of fresh water with antifree throught the engine and leave it as is. A week before being put back in I'll fit a new impeller.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

Always left it in situ and never suffered an impellor failure in the last 10 years.

 

[Stork_III]

I haven't changed / removed mine for about three years now. I've tried but couldn't get the damn thing out. Starting to worry me now though....

Buy a Speedseal and it comes with an impeller removal tool.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Buy a Speedseal and it comes with an impeller removal tool.

Yes you'r right, but if the impeller is well and truly stuck it can still need more than this special tool.

 

[PetiteFleur]

There are a few tools on the market to help but one of those pairs of thin bent nosed pliers (having jaws with a right angle at the end) may do the trick. Google bent nosed pliers.

My previous boat had an impeller housing in a very difficult location and there was little space.
I had to use a mirror to do anything.
One of those speedseals helped to start the process.

I have modified a very cheap pair of long nose pliers, from memory they cost £1 from a market stall, by heating the ends and bending the tips inwards. These work well for removing the impellor by gripping the centre with the tips and pulling - the impellor comes out very easily. I personally don't remove the impellor at the seasons end but do flush the seawater side with a 50/50 A/F mix and inspect it in the spring - so far the impellor has lasted 5 years(Beta engine) without any problems. I keep a spare impellor + pliers + spanner nearby, all tied together. On my previous boat I had to renew it every year, sometimes twice a year(Perkins Perama).

 

[SimonA]

Always left it in situ and never suffered an impellor failure in the last 10 years.

Same here, The only time I have ever had an impeller fail was after I forgot to open the seacock and run dry for a couple of minutes.

 

[TonyS]

Mine used to fail or be cracked by the end of the season. 4 years ago I fitted a NRV so the pump always has water in it. I have a speed seal and have a quick look for cracks at the beginning of the season but there are none. Impeller has been there for 4 years. Impellers are designed to last 1000s of hours. It is only the poor design of water cooling systems that cause them to run dry and therefore they fail prematurely together with the water pump seal.

 

[omega2]

Put it in a black plastic bag and hang on the throttle control lever, it may remind you, just in case you lose your note book!!