Raw water rubber impeller replacement

kennydalglishkennydalglish Member Posts: 93 ✭✭
in Rinker Express Cruisers Forum
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.
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Comments

  • YYZRCYYZRC Member Posts: 5,513 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 2022
    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. 
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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  • captkevincaptkevin Member Posts: 595 ✭✭✭
    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.
    2004 232
    2021 Yamaha Fx svho
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  • Black_DiamondBlack_Diamond Member Posts: 5,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    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.  

    Past owner of a 2003 342FV
    PC BYC, Holland, MI
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  • mattiemattie Member Posts: 1,322 ✭✭✭✭
    Do impellers every 3 years. More often if you hang out at sandbars a lot.
    246BR, 276BR, H310BR current
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  • mattiemattie Member Posts: 1,322 ✭✭✭✭
    Lots of good impeller videos on YouTube….
    246BR, 276BR, H310BR current
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  • kennydalglishkennydalglish Member Posts: 93 ✭✭
    Thanks All.

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  • captkevincaptkevin Member Posts: 595 ✭✭✭
    Just finished doing mine today, Probably a 5 in difficulty.
    2004 232
    2021 Yamaha Fx svho
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  • halifax212halifax212 Member Posts: 560 ✭✭✭
    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.
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  • IanIan Member Posts: 3,073 ✭✭✭✭✭
    “ 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….

    Regards,

    Ian

    The Third “B”

    Ravena Coeymans Yacht Club

    https://www.rcyachtclub.com/

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  • captkevincaptkevin Member Posts: 595 ✭✭✭
    If you have Alpha drives they impeller is in the drive.

    On Bravo's the pump is on the front of the motor.
    2004 232
    2021 Yamaha Fx svho
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  • Pat310Pat310 Member Posts: 606 ✭✭✭
    edited July 2022
    @halifax212 If you check his profile its says 350 with bravo
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  • captkevincaptkevin Member Posts: 595 ✭✭✭
    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.
    2004 232
    2021 Yamaha Fx svho
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  • Black_DiamondBlack_Diamond Member Posts: 5,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @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. 

    Past owner of a 2003 342FV
    PC BYC, Holland, MI
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  • SpyderwebSpyderweb Member Posts: 959 ✭✭✭
    My pump scored bad after just 3 seasons, and we rarely anchor in shallow sandy water.
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  • captkevincaptkevin Member Posts: 595 ✭✭✭
    Our pump was in good shape. Gave it a good look over & saw no wear. Put new impeller in & we are in good shape.
    2004 232
    2021 Yamaha Fx svho
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