how often to change impeller?

[rocky100]

was wondering how often to change impeller?
every other year?
Also, i ran into some lake sand briefly, do you think any got pulled up into the water pump?

 

[QC]

Re: how often to change impeller?

every other year?

Seems to be the consensus . . .

Also, i ran into some lake sand briefly, do you think any got pulled up into the water pump?

Did you run into, or run in, some sand? If it's the latter, then yes . . .

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: how often to change impeller?

Judging by the amount of sand I removed from my 454 block (125hrs)

I'd say yes. you probably sucked up some sand.

You'll get a wide range of "How long I went without replacing the impeller"

Here's what Manual #6 says:

"Seawater Pickup Pump - Disassemble and inspect."

"Interval:

Whenever insufficient seawater flow is suspected.
(If operating temperature exceeds normal range.)

AND

End of first boating season and thereafter, every 100
hours of operation or once yearly, whichever occurs
first."



You'll hear a lot of "I ran mine 5 years without a problem etc..."


I can say that I know of one that went MANY years before finally getting replaced.

I'm going to inspect/replace mine probably every 2 years or so.....But I have a Bravo. They're very easy to remove/replace.


Cheers,


Rick

 

[JustJason]

Re: how often to change impeller?

hmmm... i thought the consensus was 2 years or 200 hours, whichever comes first....
I know that some manu's have upped it to 3 years, (etec). 2 years is the safe bet though. may not be a bad idea to have a water pressure gauge installed. they react faster then temp gauges and are fairly reliable.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: how often to change impeller?

was wondering how often to change impeller?
every other year?
Also, i ran into some lake sand briefly, do you think any got pulled up into the water pump?

Yes, you ingested some sand. But you know they are able to do that without being destroyed, right? No magic amount that you can ingest, but it must be considerable, cause I have to run through mud/sand for 1000yds everytime I use my boat, and my impellers do fine for multiple seasons. I have a Bravo, but Alpha 1 Gen II impellers are just as good.

 

[Don S]

Re: how often to change impeller?

On the Alpha I drives (including the 1, R, MR) replacing the impeller every other year during winterization while you have the drive off and the oil out is standard practace. On the Alpha I Gen II drives you can usually go to 4 with no problem. It has to do with the length of the vanes on the impeller and how much they mash down on the short side.
On the older style they start putting out less water because the vanes don't open up all the way while running.
Sand just helps grind everything away.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: how often to change impeller?

Two years......​

 

[tommays]

Re: how often to change impeller?

On a GEN II if you do NOT run it dry 4 years is FINE , In saltwater the BIG issue is getting it apart without breaking bolts if you wait to long


Tommays