Tim Frank
Vice Admiral
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2008
- Messages
- 5,346
Since I started following the iboats forums, the replacement of OB impellers is a recurring topic, but one that I had previously never considered.
I have been running and self-repairing OBs for 40+ years but have never changed an impeller, either because of a failure or as a routine maintenance item. I had never even heard that particular recommendation.
Having said that, it does make obvious sense given the manner in which you could most likely expect to find out that the impeller in your outboard needs to be changed.
I have a 1975 6 HP (gets about 10 hours use/year) that I purchased from the original owner approx. 1998.
1) It has the original impeller, which was working fine when I winterised it last fall.
It is on the winter work list and I will be changing it before spring.
I had a SELOC manual which covered this motor, sort of, but never really used it and now can't find it.
Is there anything that a reasonably competent DIY-er can't handle on this, solo?
And as far as the parts go, are aftermarket parts OK, and how deep do you go on replacement? Wait until you open it up and assess, or at this vintage "absolutely replace ----and -----and ----"??
2) WRT to the gear case on this motor, there is some water infiltration over the season...replacing the screw washers has not completely solved the problem.
This is a fresh water only motor, so what is the down side of just draining and refilling at the end of the year? I would prefer not to open a potential can of worms, but am not scared of the actual prospect of taking the gearcase apart and replacing seals if it is really needed.
Is this a job (resealing) that can be a one-thing-leads-to-another chore, and if I have a go at it, where can you get the gearcase seal, cut from a roll but "no longer available"? Could you just use one of the good-quality water pump sealants?
I apologise for that queston about the seal availability as it has been answered in here before, but I can't get "advanced search" to work at the moment and the regular search hasn't helped.
I have been running and self-repairing OBs for 40+ years but have never changed an impeller, either because of a failure or as a routine maintenance item. I had never even heard that particular recommendation.
Having said that, it does make obvious sense given the manner in which you could most likely expect to find out that the impeller in your outboard needs to be changed.
I have a 1975 6 HP (gets about 10 hours use/year) that I purchased from the original owner approx. 1998.
1) It has the original impeller, which was working fine when I winterised it last fall.
It is on the winter work list and I will be changing it before spring.
I had a SELOC manual which covered this motor, sort of, but never really used it and now can't find it.
Is there anything that a reasonably competent DIY-er can't handle on this, solo?
And as far as the parts go, are aftermarket parts OK, and how deep do you go on replacement? Wait until you open it up and assess, or at this vintage "absolutely replace ----and -----and ----"??
2) WRT to the gear case on this motor, there is some water infiltration over the season...replacing the screw washers has not completely solved the problem.
This is a fresh water only motor, so what is the down side of just draining and refilling at the end of the year? I would prefer not to open a potential can of worms, but am not scared of the actual prospect of taking the gearcase apart and replacing seals if it is really needed.
Is this a job (resealing) that can be a one-thing-leads-to-another chore, and if I have a go at it, where can you get the gearcase seal, cut from a roll but "no longer available"? Could you just use one of the good-quality water pump sealants?
I apologise for that queston about the seal availability as it has been answered in here before, but I can't get "advanced search" to work at the moment and the regular search hasn't helped.
