How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

[JimKW]

I have a 2000 Crownline with a Mercruiser 4.3 190 HP.

I took it in to have it winterized and the guy said I probably should change the impeller since I just bought it and have no idea if it's ever been changed. He wants $190 parts and labor to do it on top of the $283 he is charging for a Deluxe winterization which includes oil changes, engine alignment and everything I read should be done.

I am the kind of guy who eventually figures out how to do things myself, but right now I am kind of leary about working on my boat. In time I'm sure I will do all my own stuff, but not quite ready yet.

 

[Don S]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

Which drive? Merc used the ALpha and the Bravo on the 4.3L engines.

 

[tractoman]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

I too have the same question. The cooling system is fine but I know the impeller has not been replaced in the last 3-4 years. The boat only has 176 hours but I would like to replace it to know it is in good shape. Mines an Alpha Gen II. I'll be monitoring this thread and I have loooked at the manual. I would just like to know from a practical standpoint if it is straightforward or difficult. Also I'm unsure about what kit to get. Do I need to change the impeller housing or just the impeller and gaskets and related O rings. Is Sierra stuff OK or is the Merc worth the extra coin? Sorry to hijack.

 

[Don S]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

Sorry to hijack.

Then don't.

Just start a thread of your own.

 

[JimKW]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

Mine is an Apha II also.

 

[Don S]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

Since they are doing a full winterization, and assuming that means they are also pulling the outdrive and changine gear lube, I don't see the reason for $190 additional charge. All they have to do is seperate the drive and change the impeller since the drive is already drained and off the boat.
Even a slow shop change the impeller in an hour. And the impeller and gaskets will cost 35 or 40. The winterization should cover the gear lube, and time to refill the drive, and R&R the drive.

Look up in the Adults Only sticky. Manuals are there for the drive (#14)

 

[jkust]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

I have a 2000 Crownline with a Mercruiser 4.3 190 HP.

I took it in to have it winterized and the guy said I probably should change the impeller since I just bought it and have no idea if it's ever been changed. He wants $190 parts and labor to do it on top of the $283 he is charging for a Deluxe winterization which includes oil changes, engine alignment and everything I read should be done.

I am the kind of guy who eventually figures out how to do things myself, but right now I am kind of leary about working on my boat. In time I'm sure I will do all my own stuff, but not quite ready yet.

Wow that is a heck of a deal. I took mine in last night and got just the basic winterization on the same engine as you. Cost me $315 for the basic winterization, then they wanted another $300 for the impeller change regardless if you buy the $430 drive removal/service package. I passed on the impeller and drive removal/service until next season. For $190 I think I would have done the impeller.

 

[JustJason]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

Wow that's some stacking if i've ever heard of it.

 

[PitchFork]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

Wow $315 for basic winterization! I cost me less than $50 the cost of 2 Gallons of Antifreeze, Oil & Filter, and about an hour or two of time. Another hour to pull the drive and align engine. I am sure glad I decided to read the manuals and this forum on how to do all of my own work or I would not be able to afford a boat. I usually do hours of research on how to do something on the boat before I do it like pulling the drive and changing the Ujoints and Gimble bearing like I did at the begining of the season.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

you would save alot of money if you would learn to do it yourself. It is not rocket science. But if you have deep pockets,well you probably wouldnt be here.

 

[JimKW]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

I wouldn't say I have deep pockets, but I can afford the $475 to have my boat serviced properly. The fact is I can do stuff myself though and enjoy doing them and do things right when I do them, but for some reason I am nervous about doing things on the boat.

They guy I have working on it seems to really know what he is doing, but he will not let me watch him work and teach me how to do things myself. He charges a flat rate of $150 labor for doing the impeller plus the price of the kit which is in the neighborhood of $40. Probably give the go ahead to do it. I called the guy I bought the boat from, and he had it for five years and never did the impeller. So it's prbably never been done.

 

[86 century]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

Get your self a book not a clymer but a good factory service manuel. I have both for my johnsons and there is a world of differance. Just my 2cents

 

[JustJason]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

Honestly see if the guy will work with you a bit.

If doing the impellar/water pump kit by itself...
1. drain gearcase
2. split into 2, leaving upper on the boat
3. remove old pump housing and gaskets
4. install new pump
5. re-attact lower to upper
6. fill

Now that's 1 1/2 to 2 hours if you were doing it seperately.

If he is already charging you to remove the drive to check the alignment and bellow, its alot easier to split when you have it up on a table. On top of that he is already charging you to drain and fill the gearcase lube for winterizing.

Offer him 1 hours labor on top of what he quoted you to winterize the boat(plus the cost of the parts) and see if he bites. It should only be about another hour to change the pump out. If your going to do the pump yourself, then make sure he doesn't drain out your old gear lube and re-fill it with new stuff, as you will be doing that again when you change the pump out.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

it is intimidating the first time but that is why they charge 150.00 .a manual is
50.00, alignment shaft 50.00, oil and filter 20.00, outdrive oil 20.00, gasket set 8.00,fogging oil 7.00,anti freeze 10.00?, new pump 50.00. but the not worrying about if you did it right $priceless$.

 

[Les Robb]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

Not taking sides, but in the repair business myself the old rule of cover your hiney stands. How about that frozen bolt or worse the broken one holding the impeller cover on. Sometimes a job goes smooth and sometimes it dosen't but if you tell a cusomer it will cost so many dollars you got to stick with it regardless of the hours it takes.

I work on my engine but I have about 50 years experience. (father teaches son etc) but more importantly if I do screw up on a repair job, I usually can fix it.

Whatever, good luck

 

[longstand]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

I Dont Get Some of this PEOPLE>> LOL..

Why you just all DIY.. I mean purchase a manual and do it your self. i never work on any boat before until this year. i got the Manual. and HELP from this FORUM.... its a great felling knowing that you know your boat . and if you get into any problem you know what to do..

Example. I have 1 of the hardest boat to work on plus i have twin engine. which mean 2 of everything..

well i change the Impeller. remove my intake manifold.. almost broke it i drop a nuts inside. LOL

. well just wanted to say that while your here in this forum asking question. you guys should try to change and do repair your self.. its fells great..

.. LOL look at me.. iam always here bugging people.. i guest got nothing todo

just my 2 Cents..

 

[longstand]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

I forgot to mention. the Reason why iam always here asking question. is because


I'm LOW IN CASH.. ShXT if i have money i let someone do this for me.. SO YES. i Rather PAY. but in some case I Rather Learn how to fix it just incase iam in the middle of the sea. stock .. LOL i think iam COMPUSe

 

[sickwilly]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

How hard of a job is it? If you read the manual that Don linked, I would say it is probably about as difficult as a basic disc brake job on a car.

 

[JimKW]

Re: How Hard Is It To Change the Impeller?

I just really wanted to have an experienced boat person looking over my boat and telling me anything that it might need. I did download the manual and will start doing stuff on it myself next year. If it's as easy as doing a disk brake job, I can definitely handle that. I also have a son in law who is a mechanic. He and I did a head gasket on one of my Volvos and it's still running 60K miles later.