Winterizing and Summerizing a Rubber Impeller Pump

[Jim Marshall]

My boat motor has a Jabsco rubber impeller pump. I guess that is about the only way to go since they sit above water in the engine compartment and they self prime well, that is if they don't run dry.

I only had problems with a rubber impeller pump once. It seems like they seize up when sit over the winter. There is a period of time before they catch prime that they are running dry and can shear the blades off.

Is there a good way to winterize the pump so that this doesn't happen. I have even thought about installing a brass sleeve in line that I could tap and plug to introduce water or soapy water.

Jim

 

[am_dew]

Re: Winterizing and Summerizing a Rubber Impeller Pump

My boat motor has a Jabsco rubber impeller pump. I guess that is about the only way to go since they sit above water in the engine compartment and they self prime well, that is if they don't run dry.

I only had problems with a rubber impeller pump once. It seems like they seize up when sit over the winter. There is a period of time before they catch prime that they are running dry and can shear the blades off.

Is there a good way to winterize the pump so that this doesn't happen. I have even thought about installing a brass sleeve in line that I could tap and plug to introduce water or soapy water.

Jim

Why not pull the impeller before winter storage and store it in a baggie somewhere warm and you know where it is next spring? It might last two seasons that way. I replace my impeller every two seasons and always carrry a spare...cheap insurance.

 

[Jim Marshall]

Re: Winterizing and Summerizing a Rubber Impeller Pump

I have noticed over the years that the raw water pump is a pretty common source of frustration and problems for boaters. I like your idea of pulling the impeller and storing it in a baggie. Maybe one could grease up the gasket to keep it from shrinking.

Actually, in all the years I had the boat I only replaced the impeller once and it was just a bunch of rubber balls. I just remembered the time that it gave out and how quickly the engine overheated.

At the end of every year I did take the cover on the back loose to drain it like it says on the back plate. The next summer I would throw some water in it and tighten it back up again.

My dad was in the pump business and we always thought the Jabsco "Water Puppy" pump was a joke but maybe not in the marine setting. After all, a hundred hours is a lot more for a boat than a home setting. Actually they don't do too badly in boats and they self prime as long as they have some lubrication.

So in twenty six years of operation I replaced one impeller but without diligence I probably would have replaced many. Nevertheless I have three new spare impellers, half a dozen spare gaskets, a spare seal since the old pump is obsolete now. It's plastic housing has been replaced now with a bronze one but the plastic housing seems to be standing up pretty well. I wonder if the plastic is a better bearing for the impeller than the newer bronze ones?