Did i ruin my impeller?

[buzzm19]

Re: Did i ruin my impeller?

If you check your local NAPA parts store, they don't advertise their marine parts but they have just about everything you would need, and most parts the next day. I just replaced my water pump on one of my alpha 1, I didn't reply last night because I wasn't sure if I got the right kit. It was right and comes with everything including the upper housing and lower. The part no. is 18-3320 and cost me44.86+tax and they had it the next day. I have 1981 alpha's and the first year as mine has an A stamped in the end of the drive shaft, merc only did this the first year. Hope this helps Buz

 

[boatingnva]

Re: Did i ruin my impeller?

I replaced the impellar on my Merc 5.0 Alpha 1 a couple of years ago, because I had been doing the same thing - starting it up for a few sec before heading to the lake, just to make sure. I had done this for several years. When I pulled the impeller out, it really didnt look too bad, certainly not like others have shown. I think I even posted a few pics here of it. Maybe mine was the exception, dont know, but it didnt need to be replaced. It is however, cheap insurance and peace of mind knowing.

 

[badkins50]

Re: Did i ruin my impeller?

The guy I bought my boat from said the outdrive was completely rebuilt and the first time I took it out it overheated. Went to replace the outdrive, first no oil at all in the outdrive and here is what mine looked like.

I would change it so you no what you got.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Did i ruin my impeller?

If you are going to drop the lower to have a look then why not replace the dang thing while its off. $50-70 bucks and a few hrs time vs 1000's of dollars and a lost year of lake time, seems like a no brainer to me. Plus if you plan on keeping it now you can perform the service and save 100's of dollars in the future. Just hooking it up with the muffs in my opinion is NOT aviable test if the pumps condition. It could be worn but still test okay due to a few things. one the water from the hose is under alot of pressure, two you are just idleing with no load at all on the boat. You would be much more of a gamblin man than I am to hook er up to the muffs and call it good if she doesn't overheat. Download the manuals, study them, familiarize yourself with your setup and save yourself 100's of dollars in the future, like when it comes time to winterize.

 

[nola mike]

Re: Did i ruin my impeller?

The guy I bought my boat from said the outdrive was completely rebuilt and the first time I took it out it overheated. Went to replace the outdrive, first no oil at all in the outdrive and here is what mine looked like.

I would change it so you no what you got.

i'm pretty sure every used outdrive in the planet was "rebuilt 2 years ago" 2 of mine were as well. maybe they don't consider a water pump part of a complete rebuild...

 

[badkins50]

Re: Did i ruin my impeller?

Oh yeah, I know what you are saying. Lesson learned. I tell you this is a great web site to learn from.

 

[militaryboating]

Re: Did i ruin my impeller?

UPDATE FOR ALL: after reading all of your comments i decided to take it to a local shop and have it completely gone through. the impeller was completely ruined. it wasn't firing on 1 cylinder ( bad plug ), and he said the oil looked very very old. so i had everything changed impeller, oil, and all the plugs. put the muffs on it and it ran like a champ, but have not had a chance to take it on the water yet. hopefully will get to tommorrow, but will give you guys another update whenever i get to take it on the water. thanks for all your advice, it helped ALOT!!!!!