www.iFourWinns.com

Doing my first impeller change. Thought I would post a few pics to help out any other new guys out there. Luckily I have the VP Cobra drive so waterpump/impeller is mounted to front of engine.

Front of engine, water pump already removed from bracket (lower left). Remove the 2 hoses in back of pump, then the 2 bolts on front and waterpump comes right off


Waterpump dissassembled


Impeller removed from pump. I do believe this one is wore out


All in all, it took me 15 minutes to remove. Now just waiting on new impeller kit to arrive (hopefully today), and I'll be on the water this afternoon. Hope this helps anyone who (like me) is new to the joys of boating maintenance...

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

Wow I am surprised that was moving any water at all. How hot did the motor get with that impeller in it?
While you are at it, pick up a thermostat housing gasket and some sealer and take off the thermostat housing and dig out the bits of impeller that are likely to be in there.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Yeah, I was surprised any water was moving to, Lou. My temp gauge pegged at 270 when it went for good. Luckily it was only for about 20 seconds before I shut her down. In regards to the T-Stat, I ordered that kit with the impeller also, no sense doing one and not the other. Now just waiting on FedEx to show up......sigh.

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

Is the boat a Volvo or OMC Cobra drive? That year would put it in the joint venture era when the OMC Cobras and the Volvo Cobra SX were basically the same. I'd recommend that you find a good local Volvo dealer and start buying parts there. It might cost a bit more (maybe not with shipping for the internet) and then if you run into a problem that you can't solve yourself you can ask them, sometimes if you buy all your parts in one place they are good with giving out advice. I do this with my OMC, I have a local mechanic that is an ex-OMC dealer, now works on both Mer n Volvo and also outboards. They sell all the old OMC parts. I have used them for repairs maybe 3 times in 10 years of boating, but I do buy parts from them each season because if I have a problem (like the year my Quadrajet carb leaked) they have helped me out (rebuilt the carb for a reasonable price). I also have my bottom paint done by the local boat yard and when he comes across some no longer made Cobra parts he lets me know and I have a little stockpile in the garage.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Definitely do this. My Kohler 5E generator impeller went bad and my old tech never took out the bits of broken impeller and it burned up the impeller housing and cost me an extra $250 because they only make them in bronse now.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

Its a Volvo Cobra SX, Lou. And 10-4 on making friends with local dealers/mechanics/etc. I'm still learning the ropes of boating maintenance, but I will def be schmoozing the local marina guys for info. Thanks for the tips, you (and everyone else) have been a big help.

I got the impeller kit for $39.00 and some change with shipping, but I was quoted a $70.00 price from a marina that I was warned away from by a friend. so I think for my first parts order, it wasn't too bad.

I'll post some pics of the install to help any new guys like me....

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

Well, in my excitement to get on the water, I put my impeller in and forgot to take any pics. However, after a weekend of boating, I noticed a slight leak from the waterpump housing, right around where the 2 halves of the pump go together. Took it out today so I could apply a little gasket sealer to help the flimsy gasket that came with the kit and lo and behold, found 2 huge pieces of the old impeller had worked their way back into the pump and were caught in the brass screen next to the impeller blades. Man, these things can get anywhere.

Waiting for the sealer to set up, then re-install and out on the water tomorrow....

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X