Replacing impeller... OEM or aftermarket?

[tuanp]

I want to replace the impeller and o-rings/gaskets on my Merc 170 Alpha I. I plan to get the waterpump kit which has impeller, gaskets, o-rings, and housing (top only), etc. The price difference between OEM (about $66 at GLM Marine) and aftermarket (about $20 at eBasic Power) is quite large.<br /><br />I expect I'd have to replace other parts in the future, so I'd like to know what I should do in general. Does anyone have an opinion about the quality of aftermarket replacement parts. Is it common practice to use aftermarket parts or are they not worth the dollar savings? Thanks.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Replacing impeller... OEM or aftermarket?

Many of the parts you get from basic power are GLM parts.Glm,aquapower,sierra are all good parts.As a matter of fact some of the impellers are exactly the same including the markings.When you get into more serious parts like manifolds,then there is a difference.Charlie

 

[Skinsk]

Re: Replacing impeller... OEM or aftermarket?

I have found that the impellers from Sierra, and other after-market kits are made from a less durable rubber than the Merc kits. <br /><br />Usually after one season a sierra impeller has taken a bad set. That is it doesn't spring back out to its origional shape when removed from the housing. This "set" decreases the efficiency of the pump, since it is the springing out of the blades that helps pull water in to the pump.

 

[merc 140 pontoon]

Re: Replacing impeller... OEM or aftermarket?

Think of the money you're saving by doing it yourself. If you're going to go through the effort, why not spend the money and get the real parts? Do you really want to do this every year instead of every other year, or worse, do you want to overheat and damage your engine?<br /><br />By the way, you should replace the water pump base while you're in there. It has two shaft seals in it that wear out. It costs something like 20 bucks, so to do all that work and leave the old one in there is crazy...<br /><br />Get a friend to help hold the prop and keep it in gear while you put the gear housing back on.<br /><br />Good luck and have fun with it.<br /><br />Steve

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Replacing impeller... OEM or aftermarket?

I only use OEM parts....I used aftermarket only one time I found the shaft seals had about 10thou. difference over the OEM seals, that was enough for leaks .. needless to say I did the same job over the next season but with merc parts, they fit better and last longer and that equals reliability...

 

[KiLer]

Re: Replacing impeller... OEM or aftermarket?

**** .....just did mine with sierra parts....guess I'll be changing it again next year.