How likely is it I damaged my impeller?

mike64

mike64

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Recently I read a thread that said the motor should be getting water from muffs even just cranking, to preserve the impeller. Which got me thinking, about a month ago I had motor trouble, no spark, got it fixed with the help of the guys on this forum. I cranked the motor maybe a dozen times or more checking spark, compression, etc. without muffs-- didn't think muffs were necessary just cranking without spark. As soon as i got spark again I put muffs on and it ran fine. I've only had a chance to get her in the water once since then and it ran great.

So did I possibly damage my impeller? I was hoping to take her out a few more times before winter, then replacing the impeller in the spring.
 
B

bigpoppakdog

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Re: How likely is it I damaged my impeller?

From the posts I've read and seeing my impeller when I replaced it this summer, I don't think it would take too long running w/o water to do damage. But, one wouldn't really know unless you take it out and look at it. Also, if your warning gauges are working you should know right away if water isn't circulating.
 
Vic.S

Vic.S

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Re: How likely is it I damaged my impeller?

Try it .
If its got a good pee stream (assuming it has a tell tale) and it does not overheat dont worry. Change it when convenient
 
jay_merrill

jay_merrill

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Re: How likely is it I damaged my impeller?

If all you were doing was turning the motor over for a short period of time to check ignition with a spark gap checker, etc., I doubt you damaged your impeller. Running the motor with no water flow is different, simply because the motor will run fast enough and long enough for the impeller to create significant friction and heat.
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

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Re: How likely is it I damaged my impeller?

as long as you did not start the motor, your fine, an impeller can burn up in 15 seconds, without water. as long as you have a tale tell stream you should be fine.
 
mike64

mike64

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Re: How likely is it I damaged my impeller?

Yeah, the most I ever cranked the starter was a few seconds, maybe 5 when I did the compression test, and never actually started the motor with the muffs off.

My motor doesn't have a typical telltale, being an older Evinrude, but on muffs water starts coming out of the outlet I have circled in the pic a few seconds after I start it up. That means water is circulating properly, right?
 

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wbeaton

wbeaton

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Re: How likely is it I damaged my impeller?

Don't even worry about it. However, when did you last change it? Maybe you are due anyway?
 
mike64

mike64

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Re: How likely is it I damaged my impeller?

wbeaton said:
Don't even worry about it. However, when did you last change it? Maybe you are due anyway?
Click to expand...

The guy I bought the boat from said he changed it before this season. I'm planning on replacing it next spring.

Hey, cool old Johnson motor in your avatar! I love the look of those old motors.
 
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