Impeller

[scrit9mm]

My 65+ year old uncle (who has owned boats as longer than I have been alive) and I had a conversation about impellers today. He informed me that they need not be replaced unless you suck sand up or you overheat it. I have read and been told otherwise by many different people whom I think know what they are talking about. Out of respect I did not correct him. He goes on to describe his '94 pontoon (3.0) has never had a impeller replaced.

It is my understanding that you should replace every 3 years or so?

Am I wrong or is the old man loosing it?

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Impeller

Well, consider this....Dr Spock used to be the "standard" for caring for your little ones...things change...one of which I suspect would be the quality of the products one uses today vs "back in the day". I call it a routine annual maintenance item.

 

[R Socey]

Re: Impeller

This post will no doubt be moved, but the impeller should be replaced periodically. It is cheap, and can be damaged quite easily. They can definately dry rot, and my so called mechanic over reved my motors with ears on them, and ruined them.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Impeller

My 65+ year old uncle (who has owned boats as longer than I have been alive) and I had a conversation about impellers today. He informed me that they need not be replaced unless you suck sand up or you overheat it. I have read and been told otherwise by many different people whom I think know what they are talking about. Out of respect I did not correct him. He goes on to describe his '94 pontoon (3.0) has never had a impeller replaced.

It is my understanding that you should replace every 3 years or so?

Am I wrong or is the old man loosing it?

Na he's not losing it. It's just the way old timers think.

Why would you wait until you overheat it? When that happens, there could be more damage done because of a impellar fault. $20-50 is a cheap insurance against overheat. Just changed mine for the first time in 5 yrs. They looked perfect but you never know.

 

[greg82255]

Re: Impeller

Na he's not losing it. It's just the way old timers think.

Why would you wait until you overheat it? When that happens, there could be more damage done because of a impellar fault. $20-50 is a cheap insurance against overheat. Just changed mine for the first time in 5 yrs. They looked perfect but you never know.

+1 on this post. Do you absolutely need to replace the impeller every 3 years? No, probably not. Should you replace it every 2 years or even annually? Yes, it's cheap insurance and an hour worth of work.

 

[Pete104]

Re: Impeller

Did he buy his boat new?

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Impeller

he bought the poontoon new in '94 then his Donzi about 5 years ago used. He has never changed either. My co-worker has a 150 hp mercury (I think) and he changes his every year.

The reason I worry is he is planning a 2-3 day trip down the Alabama River from Montgomery to Mobile in the Donzi, I cannot go due to work so if he get's stuck it could be an issue.

This isnt his first rodeo so perhaps I am too concerned.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Impeller

He's a big boy, don't try to take responsibility for his decisions... also, just being respectful and supportive rather than trying to change his mind is worth a lot sometimes. I've seen people run the same impeller for a good while, I've also seen them come apart when they get old and leave a bunch of chunks of rubber in the cooling system. if you're really worried about it, any chance you can get to his boat for an afternoon while he's not around? put one in for him and then forget you ever thought about it.

I do change mine most years, but have also done the change it when it's not keeping up any more route...

Cheers,
Tim

ps. didn't mean to sound like I was lecturing you - was just trying to be helpful. Enjoy the day!

he bought the poontoon new in '94 then his Donzi about 5 years ago used. He has never changed either. My co-worker has a 150 hp mercury (I think) and he changes his every year.

The reason I worry is he is planning a 2-3 day trip down the Alabama River from Montgomery to Mobile in the Donzi, I cannot go due to work so if he get's stuck it could be an issue.

This isnt his first rodeo so perhaps I am too concerned.

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Impeller

yeah, I normally heed his advice on most things. I suppose this is a part of getting older, and figuring out how and what I want to do to my own toys. I didnt correct him or advise him otherwise.

I appreciate the advice.

 

[billbayliner]

Re: Impeller

My 65+ year old uncle (who has owned boats as longer than I have been alive) and I had a conversation about impellers today. He informed me that they need not be replaced unless you suck sand up or you overheat it. I have read and been told otherwise by many different people whom I think know what they are talking about. Out of respect I did not correct him. He goes on to describe his '94 pontoon (3.0) has never had a impeller replaced.
It is my understanding that you should replace every 3 years or so?

Am I wrong or is the old man loosing it?

Quite frankly, I think your uncle is mistaken and misinformed.
Impellers generally last longer when used more often. When not used, the vanes that remain bent onto the cam eventually take a set. This is more of what kills an impeller than regular usage.

I agree, why risk damage to a $xxxx engine over a $20-30 part? That does not make any sense to me!

You might offer to replace it for him, and show him the difference between the new and old impeller.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Impeller

from my signature:
The true secret of giving advice is, after you have honestly given it, to be perfectly indifferent whether it is taken or not, and never persist in trying to set people right. ~Hannah Whitall Smith

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Impeller

from my signature:
The true secret of giving advice is, after you have honestly given it, to be perfectly indifferent whether it is taken or not, and never persist in trying to set people right. ~Hannah Whitall Smith

best advice I have heard in a long time!