Should an impeller look like this?

[raven174us]

I took the boat out last weekend to find out the water pump wasn't working.
No biggie, just buy a kit and rebuild it. So i take the lower unit off to see a bunch of gunk. Now the PO said he used it all last season till the transom gave way.
Anyway, I proceed to take the water pump housing off to find this.
(I hope the pics are not too big)

I don't really know what to say.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Should an impeller look like this?

Absolutely it should look like that------ when it has been run out of water, heat hardened, and then ran to pieces. Or, if it hasn't been changed on an old motor that has sat up for a bazillion years and then the motor is taken out on the lake, disintegrating the set/dryrotted impeller. At least, as you said, it's no biggie, just replace the impeller and hope the blades didn't go up the water tube and get caught in the water jackets. The gunk is no big deal, just unburnt fuel/oil mix. Luckily, you obviously are careful and knowledgeable enough to keep an eye on the water flow of your "new" motor and just have to change the water pump and not a burnt powerhead!
Good luck,
JBJ What kind of motor is that?

 

[raven174us]

Re: Should an impeller look like this?

Well if it wasn't for this message board I wouldn't know the first thing about outboard motors. I use to repair Japanese and British motorcycles so I understand the basics.
The motor is either a 70 or 71 Mercury 650 Thunderbolt.
I can see the broken blades through the holes. Is there no way of getting those out?

 

[5150abf]

Re: Should an impeller look like this?

Ah, ya, that pump has seen it's last day, YIKES!

Man that thing is ugly, was it still pumping?

 

[raven174us]

Re: Should an impeller look like this?

No it wasn't pumping. I didn't have it on the water long before I noticed it getting hot. So I shut it down and used the trolling motor to get back to the ramp. I was a little embarrassed putting back to the ramp but at least I didn't have to paddle back.
BTW I'm sorry I posted this in the wrong section. This makes the 2nd I've done it. :redface:

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Should an impeller look like this?

Looks more dryrotted than anything else.
I'd dig out the pieces, clean it up and install a new water pump kit.
You can dig for the pieces with tweezers, a long ice pick, or try turning the lower unit over and letting them fall out. By all means account for all the pieces if possible.

I would never go on the water without knowing the condition of my water pump. It's the first thing I do to a used motor once I hear it fire up or know it's got good compression.