Flip the maserator impeller?

[G. Richard Stidger]

Peggie,I rebuilt my Jabsco maserator pump this year, and it is working well.When I looked at the old impeller, only the very edges of it were worn- a little flat and with some light scores.If I were to flip the impeller over, the rubbing surface of the impeller would be perfect. The inside of the pump old chamber looked and felt exactly like the new one.I was tempted to just flip the impeller, but instead I did replace all of the parts.In the future can I save $35 and flip the impeller for a second use?Rich

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

No.

You'd just be asking for a failure when you can deal with a full tank the least. The edges of the vanes are what has to make solid contact with the walls of the impeller housing. Flipping it won't change the fact that the edges are worn and rough, no matter how it might feel to you...and that can score the impeller housing. Plus, the vanes have a "memory'...they don't like to be bent in the opposite direction from the one they've been going. Keep an impeller that's still in semi-working condition as an emergency back-up in case your new one fails for any reason...but never count on one you've flipped to work more than once.