Replacing Water Impeller and Oil Change Quesitons

[viper1216]

I just picked up a new boat and am going through and completing some of the maintenance items so that I know they are done. The boat has been winterized and has been sitting for about 6 months. Should I run the boat prior to replacing the impeller? Not sure if it needs to move or something since it's been sitting for so long. Same thing with the oil. I would normally warm an engine up prior to changing so oil flows better, however since it's been sitting so long, I'm assuming any junk would now be on the bottom of the pan so do I really want to put that back in the engine. The engine only has about 50 hours on it and the oil looks like new, but I'm sure there are still sediments in there.

Thanks!
Dave

 

[Rick Stephens]

With 50 hours I would check all fluids in the drive and try running it. That is well within the lifespan of an impeller. You don't say what model or year, so hard to know for sure, I'd think if it is late model then no reason to not try it.

Do drain the engine oil and change it. Sits too long it oxidizes and creates acids. Service and start her up.

Rick

 

[viper1216]

With 50 hours I would check all fluids in the drive and try running it. That is well within the lifespan of an impeller. You don't say what model or year, so hard to know for sure, I'd think if it is late model then no reason to not try it.

Drain the oil and change it. Sits too long it oxidizes and creates acids. Service and start her up.

Rick

Sorry its a 2004 Maxum 1800 SR3. Engine is a 3.0 and is a 2010. Outdrive is an Alpha one Gen 2 and is 2004 as well. Impeller was done 3 years ago. Probably only has 30 hours on it, but I'm concerned about the age. As far as oil goes, you think I should run first, or drain and fill then start after?

Thanks!!

 

[thumpar]

I used to do my Alpha every 2 years even though it only had about 15 hours a year run time. It is cheap insurance. Most say run the engine to warm up the engine before draining but I never did.

 

[viper1216]

I used to do my Alpha every 2 years even though it only had about 15 hours a year run time. It is cheap insurance. Most say run the engine to warm up the engine before draining but I never did.

Yep, better safe than sorry. Thanks!

 

[bruceb58]

Definitely change the impeller. Warm up the oil if you are sucking it out. If you have a drain hose, it doesn't have to be warm...just takes longer.

 

[JerryIrons]

I think warming an engine up before changing the oil is only done to make it easier and faster changing the oil.

I have a pump and suck out the oil through the dipstick. I've done that cold, it just takes a while.

As far as the impeller goes, I think the older it gets, the more better off you are changing it before running it. The logic being that as time goes by the impeller "fins" will eventually conform to that bent shape they sit in, and if enough time goes by the first time you run the engine the fins could break off and get stuck somewhere. For a 3 year old impeller sitting for 6 months I don't think this is really a concern. Just my .02

 

[viper1216]

Awesome. Thanks for all the advice all. I'm going to just drain the oil without running. The boat has a hose connection on the drain plug, so I can just stick it out the drain in the bottom of the boat and let it go. No real rush. Impeller I'll just change as well. Mine as well just do it all in one shot. Then get ready to fire her up. It's supposed to be really nice around here this weekend, but still a chance we could get a few cold days later in the month, so this way I can get these things done and not have to worry about draining the water from the block again after running.

 

[Rick Stephens]

That'll certainly take care of it. It is snowing right now here in idaho