?replace impeller?

[tm lihou]

Just started boat for the first time this year. Depressed. Had it on muffs in the driveway.<br /><br />No water coming from the exhaust. If i pushed both flaps of the muffs together, water finally started to come out, but once I released nothing.<br /><br />I guess I was just forcing water into the system.<br /><br />Boat started to get hot (175-180) so I shut her down.<br /><br />I've done some searching on this site, and it sounds to me like an impeller/water pump issue. Is this right?<br /><br />If so, what's a fair price (canada$$) to replace? Dose the entire outdrive have to come off, or just the lower unit?<br /><br />I'm a little mechanically inclined (very little) so could I do this, or should I pay a professional?<br /><br />BTW, boat's a '95 bayliner w/a 3.0 L merc...alpha 1 gen 2 drive.<br /><br />Thanks,

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: ?replace impeller?

Yes ,you should replace the waterpump .Yes you can do it yourself.Yes you should remove the drive.Not have to.., but should.And a BIG YES to get a manual and read it first and have it on hand while doing the job.Post here if you run into any snags.Tip # 1 - Put shifter in full forward before beginning to remove drive.Good luck !!

 

[akaSharkey]

Re: ?replace impeller?

Not hard to do at all I just did one myself. look here<br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14b3.pdf <br /><br />Starting on page 75 you will need adobe acrobat to open it<br /><br />The parts were around $40 I would do it myself.

 

[tm lihou]

Re: ?replace impeller?

Thanks guys. I appreciate the advice.<br /><br />While I'm sure I'd love to try this on someone else's boat, I'm not sure about my own.<br /><br />As I said, I'm a little mechanical, but this seems a bit beyond me. For peace of mind I'd rather pay someone who does it for a living, than try something like this without any prior experince.<br /><br />First phone call tomorrow is to the marina.<br /><br />BTW, any idea what I would pay for this? I assume it's at least a two hour job, plus $40 or so for parts.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: ?replace impeller?

If your going to have the pump changed you might take this opportunity to service the drive and other componants, ie; check shift cable and shafts, check all bellows, gimbal bearing, grease u-joints, check engine alignment, check water hose in the bellhousing, pressure test drive, and change gear lube.

 

[tm lihou]

Re: ?replace impeller?

Just got off the phone with the marina. Guy says it's about $200 for repair job. I can afford that much for peace of mind, so he's getting the job.<br /><br /><br />Thanks for your answers/advice guys.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: ?replace impeller?

I'll bet you 200 turns to $400.<br />Post back after you pay the bill.

 

[tm lihou]

Re: ?replace impeller?

10-4

 

[bruceb58]

Re: ?replace impeller?

When was the last time you had this drive off for preventative maintenance? I have a feeling it has never been off. In which case, expect new u-jonts as well as a gimbal bearing thrown in. You should take the drive off every year and grease the u-joints, grease the gimbal bearing and check drive alignment. This really is not that hard once you have done it 10 times!

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: ?replace impeller?

I expect $400.00 would be real cheap. Drives are what mechanics make a good living on. If you give them the green light, the whole drive will be taken apart to look for wear. You may not get out of there before spending real big money. <br /><br />I went in to have my top gears shimmed (because I changed a broken yoke on an OMC cobra drive - impeller shaft broke)and got an estimate for $3000.00!!! Everything from new seals top and bottom, all new shims, clutch dog, to fixing my unbroken prop?!!! And why? because they couldn't guarantee the job unless they looked at the whole drive in tiny little bits.<br /><br />I told them to reinstall all my old parts and to shim the darn thing to specs. The drive was working just fine and the clutch dog only showed some light wear. To heck with guaranteeing things! For that price, I can get a refurbished drive. So I'll take my chances. If it breaks, I can still shell out the $3000.00 and if it never does, I just saved a wack of dough.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: ?replace impeller?

I'm confused...I got my boat last summer and used it about 10 hours total. I'm gonna take the drive off this weekend and check the u-joints. It's mentioned that one should grease the gimbal bearing. I was under the impression that this was a sealed bearing. I can't find anything written or any pictures as to where to find a grease zerk to grease the bearing.<br />It's a 160 Merc, SN 2497444

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: ?replace impeller?

Sounds like you are off to a good start as far as maintainence is concerned.With 10 hours on it ,I dont think you will need to remove the drive at this point.There should be a grease fittings at the top of the belhousing and at the side very close to the transom on the transom plate outside.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: ?replace impeller?

BTW Thunder,it is best to start your own post re:your questions.It is the proper way here and you will get many more opinions.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: ?replace impeller?

But it should be on the starboard side of the transom shield, outside .....JK

 

[tm lihou]

Re: ?replace impeller?

Cobra,<br /><br />Sounds like a plan. I'm only allowing them to do the impeller/pump. Fellow who I got boat from says he did all the preventative maintenance.<br /><br />I never really believed in guarantees anyway. How many stories have you heard about marinas/companies offering guarantees, only to see them evaporate when the going gets rough.<br /><br />I've had no trouble with this boat, outside of this one, so I'm willing to roll the dice and get this prblem fixed - and this one only, for now.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: ?replace impeller?

Originally posted by crazy charlie:<br /> I'll bet you 200 turns to $400.<br />Post back after you pay the bill.

Merc,I didnt mean that anyone was going to rip you off.I was stating that there is usually something else that should be done.Having a marine mechanic do the work is a good idea because he can spot any other potential problems and recommend the maintenance.For example,you may just want to replace the impeller and when he takes it apart ,he may see wear that would prompt him to recommend a new housing as well as just the impeller.He may also recommend a new base as well.With the drive off ,it is very likely he will take a feel on the gimbal bearing to see if it also needs replacement.The ujoints will practically be in his hands and should be checked and at least greased.He will also have a close up look at the end of the shift cable and bellows which are all part of maintenance and can prevent a breakdown on the water or prevent the rig from visiting the bottom of the bay.Cobra had a different case all together.Just wanted to clarify

 

[thunderroad]

Re: ?replace impeller?

ccharlie...I should have mentioned that the boat was used and I didn't have any maintenance history....and you're right...I should have started a post on my own. Didn't mean to hijack but we seemed to be drifting around a little bit.<br />thanks for the help. I'll check it out.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: ?replace impeller?

Originally posted by thunderroad:<br /> I'm confused...I got my boat last summer and used it about 10 hours total. I'm gonna take the drive off this weekend and check the u-joints. It's mentioned that one should grease the gimbal bearing. I was under the impression that this was a sealed bearing. I can't find anything written or any pictures as to where to find a grease zerk to grease the bearing.<br />It's a 160 Merc, SN 2497444

My old dog 140 was like that too- no grease zerk... I just packed a new gimbal brg. as best I could before i installed it. Someone emailed me with a drawing of a modification to put a grease zerk on an old drive like yours... I did not keep it though...

 

[tm lihou]

Re: ?replace impeller?

Charlie,<br /><br />No problem my friend...that's what I thought.<br /><br />Here's hoping everything else is in good shape.

 

[tm lihou]

Re: ?replace impeller?

Originally posted by crazy charlie:<br /> I'll bet you 200 turns to $400.<br />Post back after you pay the bill.

Got the boat back today...$299...since it was closer to my estimate, I'm claiming victory....LOL.<br /><br />Just glad the boat is back in my driveway and not at the marina.<br /><br />Mechanic said the drive looks pretty good...engine fired right up. Hope that bodes well for this year. Keeping my fingers crossed.