I/O boat question

[dkff49]

Of course it is that time of year and now after the outboard question thread started I have developed a small issue of my own. After doing something really stupid, it is real likely that I fried the impeller in the lower unit of my I/O. It is a 1988 regal 18ft with 4.3L (205 HP) Mercruiser.

Is it possible to change this out with decent mechanical ability, basic tools, and a good repair manual? I had a guy tell me that it was too difficult for someone to do that had no experience in a boat shop before, but I think he was telling me that so I would let him do it. I looked in the manual that I have and it doesn't seem that hard to do and the closest shop that can work on it for me is an hour away from my house and very busy.

[rabbidrabbit]

If you have some basic skills, you can do it in about an hour.  Check out iboats.com and look for the link to the mercruiser manuals.

[CHAPPY]

is it a Mercruiser Alpha drive?

[rabbidrabbit]

Unless it's upgraded it should be a mercruiser Alpha one / gen one

[CHAPPY]

I have a Alpha1-gen2.
I did the waterpump my self in 2 hours. The boat guy wanted $400.00.
It was pretty simple job. I had the Mercruiser manual. When i pulled the water pump out it was still in great condition. The tube I had to replace, because it had holes in it. I dont know why it was a plastic tube. I replaced it with a copper tube.

[fbWldcat]

Yes, it is very much possible. Just get the replacement part and all you need is a few basic tools. The lower unit of a boat is IMO the easiest part to work on. With a manual, you should be able to do it no sweat. 2-3 hours tops.

[Rash]

Bam Marine is a good place to look-up parts.  You can find them with pictures or part number http://www.mercruiserparts.com/mercruiser_parts.asp

PPT is also a good online store. http://www.perfprotech.com/store/default.aspx

Just take your time.

[CRYPTIC]

This is where I get my parts from:http://bpi.ebasicpower.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=eBasicPower

[dkff49]

Thanks for the responses guys. It seems I was not that far off then after looking at the repair manual i got from Overtons.  Hopefully I won't have to replace it yet but I guess I am going to have to get the wife to hold a gun to my head and take the boat out to see if it needs replacing or not    .

[CHAPPY]

I always hook up the garden hose and "earmuffs" to the stern drive in the driveway to see if it is spitting good water out the transom.

[FireDrgn]

I just got a price for the impeller from a dealer he asked $337.00..... just for a rubber impeller .  I asked him if he was sure that was to the water pump cause that seemed like the wrong price.  He told me it was complicated and that was the price...  I nicely said no thank you.   Just order the part for 16.00 from Mercuryparts......   The kicker is they are shipping it from the same dealer that wanted 337.00


<S>    So I think if you have basic knowlege . you can do it.  I figure if i run into something crazy.  I will make a new decision at that time.

[rabbidrabbit]

You should replace the water pump at least once every five years.  They do wear out and the rubber degrades over time regardless of use.  A $30 repair or engine replacement?  Do this and other routine maintenance and you will save a lot of money.

[68ZooM]

You should replace the water pump at least once every five years.  They do wear out and the rubber degrades over time regardless of use.  A $30 repair or engine replacement?  Do this and other routine maintenance and you will save a lot of money.

That's a good idea and cheap insurance, also in the off season i spray WD40 into my raw Water Pump untill its about full then cap it off, it keeps the rubber like new and you'll get a few more seasons out of it

[dkff49]

Well it happened, my wife twisted my arm almost to the breaking it and made me take the boat today.

No broken impeller, not a single episode of overheating all day (10 hours on the water).

Unfortunately though there is still something wrong with the boat. It seems that there is still something out of whack with either the timing or carb or both. I left there at the one marina to have some experts work with it for me to fine tune.

Thanks for the help though guys and I think I will be changing that impeller at the end of the season anyway since it take the abuse this time.

[68ZooM]

When you said Marina do you run it in salt water?  if so i would be changing Impellers every other year, salt water is terrible on rubber Impellers, no matter how good you flush your system after being in salt water