Re: impeller
Perry,<br /><br />I have 450 hours on my motor over a five year period (June makes five years I've owned the boat, bought it new in 1999). Overall, the "pee" stream seemed a little weak, but was still moving water quite well. When I spoke to the Honda dealer about it, he said they recommend every 3 years for replacement and that I was running on borrowed time. I was also concerned that living here in Arizona, that the heat and hot, dry climate might have dry rotted the rubber. <br /><br />However, the old impeller was in good shape. There was minor wear on it and some of the fins looked like they might be cracking just a tiny bit at the stress points where they bend within the housing. There was no pitting, missing pieces, or other damage. It was still supple and flexible and in a lot better shape than I figured it would be. I kept it as a spare. I also replaced all the gaskets that came with the impeller kit ($42). There is a paper-type gasket that goes on the bottom of the housing and an oblong shaped O-ring gasket that seats in a groove on top of the plastic housing. <br /><br />Since I had the lower end off, I drained and refilled the gearbox with a good synthetic gear oil. This was much easier to do with the lower end laying on its side and I was sure that I got it completely filled. Last time, with it on the boat, I had to use a pump to fill it from the bottom drain hole until it started running out the oil level check port. It was a pain and I wasn't sure I had a good fill on it. The gear oil I replaced was in good shape overall, black and stinky as usual, and only a tiny bit of yellow egg nog in it, which could just be moisture from condensation, rather than a leak. I'll see what it looks like next time, but expect about the same.<br /><br />radshr - It was definitely the drive shaft that wasn't lining up correctly. There is a rubber bushing on the water shaft and I lubed that up to help it slip into place. Once I bumped the starter a couple of times, the lower unit slid right into place with no hesitation. Just a matter of getting those splines on the end of the drive shaft to line up correctly with the upper end. <br /><br />After I bolted it back together, the true test -- I put the mickey mouse ears and hose to it and ran it. The "pee" stream was restored to very strong pressure, like an 18 year old after a 12 pack of beer!
Motor shifted between forward and reverse with no problems. Ran it for about 15 minutes and all seemed good! I'm ready to go chase marlin and dorado in Baja in June!<br /><br />Here's a picture of my tin can. I just installed a set of Taco Sport Slam Outriggers on the T-top and am dying to try those out trolling!<br /><br />
http://members.cox.net/sburnett22/InSlip.jpg <br /><br />Stuart
