Do I really have to drain the L/U to change the impeller?

[ninja500r]

I found a set of instructions through our forum here and he didn't ever mention draining the L/U before dropping it to replace the impeller. My repair manual says to drain it but I just replaced the lube in the L/U and ran it only one time in the water, because it seemed like the motor was cooling OK. I am sure it was fine we didn't have any trouble. It probably needs to have a new impeller though. What do you think?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Do I really have to drain the L/U to change the impeller?

Ninja, You do not need to drain the LU to change the impeller. Just be aware that when you remove the pump base, the LU oil can spill out, if you lay the lu on it's side.

 

[Don S]

Re: Do I really have to drain the L/U to change the impeller?

I don't have any idea what thread you may have seen that says you need to drain the fluid, but it isn't necessary on an outboard.
You would need to on a Mercruiser outdrive when you remove the lower unit, but that's not an outboard.

 

[ninja500r]

Re: Do I really have to drain the L/U to change the impeller?

Thanks guys. My manual said to drain it but I figured I would ask. It's a 1986 Merc75 BTW.

 

[Don S]

Re: Do I really have to drain the L/U to change the impeller?

What "My Manual" do you have. There are a lot of aftermarket manuals that have more wrong info in them than good.