impeller stuck

[Blackpony]

I'm changing the impeller on my '85 VP AQ125A and can't seem to get the old one out. It looks and feels like it's in good shape, no missing fins and rubber feels pliable. I've tried grabbing it with needle-nose pliers in several places around the impeller but it just wont budge. Any slick tricks to getting it out with regular on-hand tools?

 

[blouderback]

Re: impeller stuck

You're going to replace it anyway, so it's OK to destroy it to get it out. Grab the fins with some vice grips and tug. If you rip the fins, that'll just make it easier to get out.

 

[Blackpony]

Re: impeller stuck

OK, the impeller came out when I tugged on it with visegrips. However the shaft also came out with the last tug -- I assume the slot is to lock it into the inside drive wheel. Do I just grease up the inside end of the shaft and re-insert then install the new impeller? Sorry to be so dumb about this.

 

[Maclin]

Re: impeller stuck

Too late I know, but.....Use two screwdrivers and pry on it and it will come right out. Just be careful on the pump housing.

 

[Blackpony]

Re: impeller stuck

Does the water pump now need to be replaced because the impeller shaft pulled out when I tugged out the old impeller?

 

[Blackpony]

Re: impeller stuck

I'm told the impeller shaft simply slides back into place with the slotted end locking it into position. I assume the water seal must be on the piece that the shaft slide onto thus I don't need to worry about a seal around the shaft itself. Anyone with experience with this or a schematic.showing where the seat is located?

 

[WattsBarMike]

Re: impeller stuck

Ckick on "Volvo Penta Parts" at the top left of this page, then follow the links to find the sea water pump parts list for your AQ125A engine. The shaft seal is pressed into the pump housing from the back side, so you'll need to remove the pump if you want to replace the seal. I would also replace the 2 gaskets that seal the copper tubes to the pump housing.

 

[Blackpony]

Re: impeller stuck

I reinserted the impeller shaft with the key in place, put glycerine on the pump housing lip, seal gasket and impeller and bolted it all back together. I had an idea for inserting the impeller which worked pretty well - I put a zip tie around the impeller to hold the fins in (all leaning the right way) while I got it started into the pump. When the impeller fins were all started inside the pump housing, I clipped the zip-tie loose, rotated the impeller until it aligned with the key on the shaft and pushed it the rest of the way in -- worked pretty slick. A quick hour-long test run on the lake at slow and fast speeds yielded no leaks and temp at normal (180) the entire time. - Yeah! At one point after a fast run for about 2 minutes, I dropped it back to idle and pulled off the motor cover to check -- I noted a bit of noise that sounded like it was coming from the pump but it did not last more than a few seconds -- I though maybe it was just the new impeller seating into the pump - water had been running through for some time.

Again, many, many thanks to all who offered information, advice, and shared experience to this novice -- you all made my day!