impeller replacement question

[MAXXIE]

I'm looking at buying a '87 Thundercraft Citation 170. Overall condition is pretty good. In the ad. it states that it "needs the impeller replaced", otherwise it runs fine. How big of a deal is changing the impeller? It also states that "it's a newer Mercruiser Alpha 1". Is this a "take it to a shop" repair? Or can I do it myself? I have a pretty good grasp on engine's & stuff. As you can tell I'm a first timer in the boat world, so take it easy on me here. Thanks for the help

 

[Don S]

Re: impeller replacement question

Do NOT buy a boat you can't test run, and for a seller to say it runs fine but needs an impeller. put's up a red flag to me.
If it needs an impeller, why didn't he put one in so he could sell the boat? Maybe it isn't the impeller, maybe he doesn't want to run it because of the cracked block because it wasn't winterized.

Up in the Adults Only sticky is links to download the OEM service manuals. Get manual #6, it details how to change the impeller in section 3B.

 

[ken_23434]

Re: impeller replacement question

To change the impeller in an Alpha drive, I would guess it would take no more than 2 hours for a first time person. Parts wise, you are looking at under $100 (shop around and down to about $60). No special tools required for doing just an impeller.

I have done the job twice before. I think I would get it done in just under an hour now.

Like Don said, be cautious about buying the boat. If the owner will not do such a simple, routine, low cost maintenance item like this, what else did he blow off? Does he think it needs an impeller cause the last time he took it out, the boat over heated? Is so, what harm did that cause?

The good news is you know about his site and can get plenty of advise for free here.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: impeller replacement question

Ya, I hear what your saying. The boat must meet the statements made in the ad or it's void. I'll only drop the deposit & hold payment until I hear it run. I'll throw up a few more questions regarding this issue. If I get out bid, oh well, I'm not going any higher on my bid. The old saying go's "If it sounds too good to be true".....................

 

[ken_23434]

Re: impeller replacement question

Downloading the manual Don referred you to is still a good idea. Reading through it will help educate you on the drive and what routine maintenance is required, and such. This might help you in your inspection of the boat for possible issues.

 

[scottyt22]

Re: impeller replacement question

I just had the impellor replaced in my alpha one - it cost me $385. While the impellor kit it cheap around $50, the labor from the boat yard was expensive. You have to take the entire lower drive unit off and need to know what you are doing.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: impeller replacement question

You have to take the entire lower drive unit off and need to know what you are doing.

That may be true... but it doesn't make it difficult.

 

[ken_23434]

Re: impeller replacement question

I just had the impellor replaced in my alpha one - it cost me $385. While the impellor kit it cheap around $50, the labor from the boat yard was expensive. You have to take the entire lower drive unit off and need to know what you are doing.

The manual to tell you what to do is a free download. Don just posted a message on here where he cut and pasted the sections of the service manual into one neat document to walk people through it.

No specialized tools required: about 4 different size wrenches, flat blade screw driver, 2 different allen wrenches. That's all needed for tools.

Taking off lower end of drive is literally 7 bolts. I think the water pump in held together with 3 more.

Between the manuals available for download on this site and the HUGE amount of support members of this site provide, I think just about anyone on this forum should be able to handle the job.

 

[Patfandango]

Re: impeller replacement question

Hey! That's my boat. I bought that same boat last year and had great luck with it all summer. I took all the wood and vinyl off recently and cleaned, sanded, re-teaked all wood, etc. I buffed/waxed the hull and am pretty stoked about my new/old boat for this year. Good luck with it. I hope you have similar luck with yours if you buy it. I bought mine off Craigslist for $2900 & got every dime's worth in one summer alone.

 

[Dshow]

Re: impeller replacement question

What's your goal? Boating or buying a project? That boat looks like it would be alot of work to me...