In-water impeller change OK?

[PW]

My pontoon is in the water and it looks like the impeller needs replacing (weak-stream) on my 1984 Evinrude 35. I can tilt up the motor and the water is shallow enough to easily access all the fasteners for the lower unit. Is it OK if I do this in the water? Otherwise I gotta spend the extra cash to do the out-in. Any tips on little pieces that might want to fall in the lake while I'm working on it?

Many thanks for your help, PW

 

[AEROCOOK]

Re: In-water impeller change OK?

The only part of the job you would actually be doing in the water would be the lower unit removal and re-install. Once the lower unit is off, you can do the impeller install up on deck.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: In-water impeller change OK?

I've replaced impellers on the shoreline - beach is recommended so you can pull it up enough to keep wave action from moving the boat around while you're working on it. Also, put a towel or sheet of plywood down to keep small bits from getting lost in the water/sand...

 

[63Sport16]

Re: In-water impeller change OK?

Have you ever taken this unit off yourself before? If not, you may want to look at the exploded view of a 1984 35hp unit.
Pay close attention to the part numbers 26(Screen to Gear case screw), 29(Intake screen - NLA), 66(Shift rod connector), and 71(Keeper, shift rod upper).
In water R/R can be done but it's not that easy on this particular model by yourself because of those little pieces.

 

[boobie]

Re: In-water impeller change OK?

If you've never had the gearcase off before, I wouldn't recommend it. Unless you got $$$$ for parts dropped.

 

[ADK_Boater]

Re: In-water impeller change OK?

Beach the thing and do it....just be careful.

 

[PW]

Re: In-water impeller change OK?

I can beach it. Good idea. Thanks, gents.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: In-water impeller change OK?

I did my Nissan 90Hp in a foot of water. Other than getting the shift linkage pin out without dropping it, it was no problem. It was a bigger challenge trying to find a waterpump kit for a 89 Nissan 90 on a weekend in northern Wisconsin.

 

[Jim311]

Re: In-water impeller change OK?

x2 on beaching it. Doing it in the water would be a ton of unnecessary effort. I can't imagine trying to line up the shift linkage and everything while it was in the water!

 

[PW]

Re: In-water impeller change OK?

Had it hauled and parked in my driveway yesterday. Good move! Had a very hard time reinstalling water tube from pump housing to power head. Tried putting in top first but bottom would not guide into pump fitting. Tried putting it in the pump, but couldn't see if it located properly at the top. Got it back together. When I tested it, plenty of water coming out upper exhaust but none out of telltale. Pulled cover and pulled telltale hose at block. No water coming out there. What did I do wrong?

Many thanks for yr help, PW

 

[63Sport16]

Re: In-water impeller change OK?

First thing to check is when it's running is there water coming out from the seems or any openings in the midesection. Also check the heads to see if it's getting hot to the touch when it's running. If there is, you didn't get the water tube in the power head. If not, check the telltale hose and nipple for blockage. They are notorious for filling up with sediment and blocking flow. If it is blocked, just take a piece of copper house wiring, (stripped of course) and try snaking into the hose. The nipple is plastic so be careful when trying to clean it.

 

[PW]

Re: In-water impeller change OK?

There was a seepage at the top of the exhaust case when I tested it. Is there a gasket or grommet that seals the top of the water tube that might need replacement? How do I get the water tube to locate properly? When I put the top of the tube in first, it sags out of line with its fitting on the water pump and there is no room between the gear case and exhaust case to put a tool in there to line it up. If I put the tube in the water pump, it also sags at the top end and there's no way to guide it into the upper fitting. Any tips are appreciated. I pulled the telltale tube off and removed its outlet from the power head. There is no water coming out of the telltale supply when engine is running. Lots of water coming out of the upper exhaust.

 

[63Sport16]

Re: In-water impeller change OK?

Actually if you look at the Exploded view here, you will see there is suppose
to be a water tube plastic guide in the midsection to the grommet to the
power head inlet passage. It is item #114 (0321513-Plastic guide-NA) and #115 (Grommet).
Put the tube into the water pump first. You need to try and look into the
exhaust section to see if the plastic guide tube is still there and you might
be able to see if the rubber grommet is still there as well. Those only
usually come out if the motor got extremely hot at one time and melted the
two retaining nubs off allowing it to fall down.
You should be able to have approx. a 2 - 3 inch opening as you are putting
the unit into place to use a narrow tool to help guide the tube in to place.
It takes a fine touch to feel when you get it in the guide opening. I use a
long pair of surgical clamps to get in and move the tube around as
I'm lifting the LU into place.
I've also had limited luck using a helper to hold the LU after I got the tube
up into the guide, but not into the grommet yet. Leaving me room to have the
helper lift the LU into place with about a 1/2 - 1 inch area to get it into the
pump housing grommet, then pushing it into place. It's not the easiest way to
do, but it does work if you have patience.

 

[PW]

Re: In-water impeller change OK?

The plastic guide is missing and I think the upper grommet is damaged. I have the guide on order and will have it soon. Can I replace the upper grommet and install the guide w/o tearing down the engine? Surgical clamp and an extra set of hands to help sound like good ideas and I'll get them. Many thanks.