Change entire water pump or just impeller?

[Reggie08]

85 'Rude 90hp. Been sitting for a few years. Should I replace the entire water pump kit or would replacing the impeller be sufficient?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Change entire water pump or just impeller?

You can try replacing the impeller and see if it that works. If not, you'll have the experience to do it the second time. In my opinion, I'd change the whole thing. You're already there and it's the same labor anyway.

 

[Reggie08]

Re: Change entire water pump or just impeller?

That was sort of my thought process too (replacing entire pump). Not too mention I'm going to replace the seals in the lower unit which means having to take the water pump off anyway.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Change entire water pump or just impeller?

agree^^^^.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Change entire water pump or just impeller?

Full pump kit, around $50, impeller a little bit less...if you have the time, you can wait to decide after a visual inspection of the housing - look close for scoring.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Change entire water pump or just impeller?

Personally I would replace the whole thing, just to be safe and have peace of mind.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Change entire water pump or just impeller?

Not a bad idea also to try and re-seal it yourself. I didn't have the time to do mine myself, too much other stuff going on, so I took it in. 4 hours of labor, a seal kit, a used shift rod cover housing, and some intake screens later, and I have a re-sealed lower unit for $600.

I'm not saying the guys don't deserve the money for labor ($110 an hour), they should get paid for the knowledge they have and the training they have to keep up with, but if I had the choice again I would have attemted it myself.

I know you need some specialized tools for the bearing carrier, and it would have probably taken me 2 weeks to do it, as I've never done it before. But hey I guess you pay for the convenience and timeliness.

Not sure what was wrong with the old shoft rod cover, but they had a used one around that fit, so they stuck it on instead of hittting me for a new one, which was about $50, the used one was $14 so no big deal.

Good luck with it.

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: Change entire water pump or just impeller?

I would replace the whole thing for sure, its not much more money and not hardly any more time. I'm not sure on the 85' but the ones a few years earlier when you buy the "kit" come with an improved housing which is supposed to flow water better. When I did my 83' 200 hp rude I ordered the kit and discovered when I took out the old one that it was the old style housing, I'm sure the impellers are compatable but by replacing all of it I had the piece of mind that all was well in there. Not a hard job but getting that shift rod lined back up and the screw back in is a BUGGER, it gets easier the more times you do it but still a challange. I think on the next go around I will do the pump at the same time I pull the carbs for cleaning then it will be cake. good luck....

 

[Reggie08]

Re: Change entire water pump or just impeller?

Fortunately (or unfortunately...however you want to look at it) I'm rebuilding the powerhead. When I get the powerhead back on the midsection, I'll line up the shift rod again and get it set. But yeah, next time I change the lower unit oil I'll be removing the bottom carb (at least) to make it easier accessing that screw.

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: Change entire water pump or just impeller?

I noticed in your last post you said next time I change LU oil I will remove bottom carb. Why would you do that? or was it just a mis type change LU oil in about 10 min and don't even have to get into the boat. Two screws out, let drain, refill from lower hole until seeps out upper, reinstall lower screw, top off any loss if need be, reinstall upper screw, done.... and always use new washers on the drain and vent screws.

 

[Reggie08]

Re: Change entire water pump or just impeller?

That was a definite mis-type :redface: I meant to say impeller. :redface: