Lubricate new water impeller rubber ?

rodsnguns

Cadet
Joined
Jan 18, 2026
Messages
27
I have seen various methods people use when replacing the water impeller in an older Johnson 60-70hp. Some say they like to apply a tiny film of some kind of slick um to the metal cup and I have heard some say to put er in the cup dry and that the water will.lube it enough. Not so sure. Opinions ? I have a small verbal spat going on with some friends. Haha.
 

racerone

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
39,352
The strut on a boat with straight inboard has a rubber bearing ( cutlass ) and it is water lubricated.----Most sailboats use this set-up.----They last for many, many hours if the water is clean,
 

Captain Caveman

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Mar 1, 2005
Messages
1,029
The impeller is intended to be lubricated by water. The only time that you would consider using something besides that is if you intend on running the motor without water.

Some people think that for the initial startup, there isn't water in there to lubricate the impeller. This could be true of any motor that has sat all winter. It is usually not long enough to cause damage.

If anything, you could just wipe the metal cup with water. Dish soap and other things won't hurt but aren't really necessary.
 

Mc Tool

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 7, 2024
Messages
1,076
It depends on the delay between assembly and the 1st run . If its straight away then a bit of water might do but if there is any significant delay Id go for the grease as even dish soap and KY will dry out and get real sticky and hard to turn ......maybe enough to damage the impeller.
When I built my motor I greased the impeller as I knew the the motor would be turned over by hand a few times as I race tuned (pottered and fiddled with )the motor, and that it would be a while before it was started .
 

rolmops

Vice Admiral
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
5,693
I have seen various methods people use when replacing the water impeller in an older Johnson 60-70hp. Some say they like to apply a tiny film of some kind of slick um to the metal cup and I have heard some say to put er in the cup dry and that the water will.lube it enough. Not so sure. Opinions ? I have a small verbal spat going on with some friends. Haha.
spit on it and turn clockwise
 

racerone

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
39,352
A little lube can be used for easier assembly on the work bench !-----Water is the perfect lubricant for an outboard water pump.
 

Crosbyman

Vice Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2006
Messages
5,977
depending on model it is sometimes easier to pull out the drive shaft mount the impeller in the housing counter ccw looking down . reinsert the drive shaft in the gc.. rebolt the housing.
 

Mc Tool

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 7, 2024
Messages
1,076
depending on model it is sometimes easier to pull out the drive shaft mount the impeller in the housing counter ccw looking down . reinsert the drive shaft in the gc.. rebolt the housing.
😁Stuff that , thats for masochists ......
 
Top