www.iFourWinns.com

I have a question regarding the replacing the impeller on our Volvo Penta GXi; can I replace it with the boat still in the water? Last weekend our temperature alarm went off and we were towed back to our slip; once their I noticed that the engine wash out cap was off. There is a 50/50 chance that I may have damaged the impeller and if the boat is pulled that will be the season for us. Any thoughts or concerns about doing this in the water??
Thanks

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“Growing Older, But Not Up”
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2008 Four Winns V248
2004 Stingray 220CS

Howdy,

If I'm not mistaken, your raw pump is bolted to the engine.

You can probably replace it while in the water but you may need to block off the water supply hose that goes from the raw water pick up to the pump as the pumps are frequently below the water line. You can probably just pull the hose off and stuff a rag in the end.

The important thing to do is find any and all pump remnants that were pumped downstream of the pump. They can plug oil coolers and thermostats.

If you don't have an OEM service manual now would be a good time to get one.


Regards,

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1987 Four Winns Liberator 211, formerly OMC 460 King Kobra powered, replaced in 2006 by a 1997 Mercruiser 454/Bravo III

I am fimilar with the impeller; my concern is just what you stated about the water line. I contacted the dealer they stated that it is doable;after disconecting the hose simpliy raise it complete the work then reasemble. They also feel that just replacing the engine flush cap may solve the problem since the motor was not run long and no steam developed. We basically crawled back to the dock once the alarm went off; approximiy 200 yards. I never relized that the engine wash out cap was off until we were towed back to our slip and attempted to hook up my hose.

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“Growing Older, But Not Up”
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2008 Four Winns V248
2004 Stingray 220CS

I would still replace the impeller. They don't last long when run without water.....in some cases less than a min. (water lubes and cools them!)

If you can raise the supply hose then that would be the easiest. just tie it off with a zip tie etc...

It would be far better to replace it now instead of up the river/out in the ocean, in the cove, .....AT NIGHT etc etc!


Cheers,

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1987 Four Winns Liberator 211, formerly OMC 460 King Kobra powered, replaced in 2006 by a 1997 Mercruiser 454/Bravo III

I agree, I will replace it tomorrow. $50 is a cheap insurance policy.

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“Growing Older, But Not Up”
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2008 Four Winns V248
2004 Stingray 220CS

Boating stores sell wooden plugs that are actually for thru hulls (if they leak) but they come in different sizes and fit water intake hoses too. I used one when I changed the thermostat on my Cobra with the boat on the mooring. Easy job when you don't have to worry about water coming in the boat! (esp salt water!)

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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

In lieu of starting a new thread I thought I'd latch on to this one. I just replaced the impeller on my 2000 5.7 GSi. What a breeze compared to the Mercs. Anyway, the impeller I took out was badly damaged - missing fins. I slapped it all back together without realizing I needed to remove/flush out the missing pieces. I talked to my mechanics and they described a "cooler" in the downstream from the raw water pump. This is where he said I could fish out the big pieces. The rest could be flushed out from the backside of the cooler.
When I look at the service manual, it looks like the oil cooler is before the pump and the piece directly after the pump, which in my mind could catch the debris, is the thremostat housing. Is t-stat housing where I should look for the pieces? Thanks.

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2000 Horizon 230

I took mine apart, I was planning to replace it, but it looked brand new. Piece of cake, although I bet in the Vista's you have better access to the front of the engine. I could barely see it on my Sundowner, and did it mostly by feel.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225