Raw water rubber impeller replacement

kennydalglish

Guys,  I have a 2000 Mercruiser MAG 350.  I am pretty mechanically inclined.  On a scale of 1-10 how hard is it to replace the rubber impeller on the raw water impeller pump.
I worry about having to be a tiny little chinese contortionist since I am not even sure where it is located yet ?

How often are people replacing this part ?  Pic for attention.

YYZRC

It’s not hard mechanically. It’s hard 0n your body. 

It’s located starboard side of the motor down low behind the cool fuel module (if you have one). Lowest pulley. 

captkevin

On my 2004 232 bowrider I remove the back of bench seat & large piece of fiberglass floor. Have read some say that is not need but it makes access much easier. Not a difficult job just takes time.

Black_Diamond

It is a bit of gymnastics to undo and redo the hoses. The whole pump comes off so you can do the work on a bench.  Just watch the housing for wear and scratches. A new impeller won’t help if the surfaces are worn.  

mattie

Do impellers every 3 years. More often if you hang out at sandbars a lot.

mattie

Lots of good impeller videos on YouTube….

kennydalglish

Thanks All.

captkevin

Just finished doing mine today, Probably a 5 in difficulty.

halifax212

how did you guys know he had a Bravo outdrive?  He did not state that .  Mine is an alpha unit with the impeller located in the lower drive unit.

Ian

“ I worry about having to be a tiny little chinese contortionist since I am not even sure where it is located yet ?”

Tends to suggest it’s not on the drive….

captkevin

If you have Alpha drives they impeller is in the drive.

On Bravo's the pump is on the front of the motor.

Pat310

@halifax212 If you check his profile its says 350 with bravo

captkevin

Talking to the dealer on Friday while picking up my impeller he did tell me that 2002 & earlier use a plastic pump. 2003 & later use brass pump that just requires impeller to be replaced.

Black_Diamond

@captkevin  the metal pumps can still score, so always worth looking where the vanes run…the really critical part is where the faces of the impellor runs. 

Spyderweb

My pump scored bad after just 3 seasons, and we rarely anchor in shallow sandy water.

captkevin

Our pump was in good shape. Gave it a good look over & saw no wear. Put new impeller in & we are in good shape.