? about impeller replacemnt kits.

[vetplus40]

Greetings. I am about to embark on my first impeller replacement job and had a question about kits. I noticed that some kits have a replacement impeller metal cover and some do not. Is there any need to change the metal cover just as a matter of routine? or is it just a good idea to have one in case? As usual, thanks for the info.

 

[Scott06]

I have never replaced the metal cover, generally if you suck up sand or if the impeller was roached and run dry and hot the. I would replace. But generally a light dressing with Emory cloth and it will be fine, just look for heavy scoring.
in general I have had longer life with OEM merc vs aftermarket impellers. Seems like you hear failures on Sierra and sei ones.

 

[Scott Danforth]

If you havent done the impeller in the past 3 years....get a complete kit with new housings so you are armed for bear....also plan on a full bellows job and maybe a gimbal bearing

Of course you can simply pull it apart first, then see what you need, then order parts

 

[harringtondav]

The housing and base plate are stainless steel. Tough stuff. Go with Scott Danforth's advice. Normally a kit that includes the impeller, two gaskets and Florsheim shaft seal is adequate.

 

[andrewterri]

If it is not ate up you do not need to change it. Kind of like changing a rim with the tire. If its good keep it, it its bad change it.

 

[vetplus40]

Thanks. I will probably get the full OEM kit to have just in case. Given that I am currently living in a campground on a job assignment out of state, I will have to wait on the gimbal and bellows until I get back home. I don't have any signs of impeller fatigue or failure relative to the engines operating temperature, this job is just something that I can do from a preventative maintenance standpoint.

Oddly enough, I just looked at kits from 6 different sites and almost every one of them had different items in their kits...…..

 

[sickwilly]

Some of the kits come with a carrier seal. If you boat is 10 years old and has some hours on it, it would not be a bad idea to replace the carrier seal when you have the impeller housing up. At 14 years of age and my 3rd impeller mine started not holding pressure. I am on my original stainless housing, but I did polish it some last time.