my engine stopped pumping water and my mechanic replaced the impeller and the problem was cured, but he can't explain to my satisfaction what went wrong since the new impeller loks like the old one to naked eyes. any thoughts out there?
impeller damage
- Thread starter mortyd
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not enough info as Stu implies. Could be a number of issues, e.g., bad pump, bad hub on impeller, intermittent or partial blockage, poor seal on impeller housing, bad plate on impeller housing, etc.
i guess i wasn't clear, even though i have an m25xp, the new impeller seems to have done the trick fine but i am asking what damage the impeller might have had that is not visible to the naked eye.
Is it possible to suck air through a defective pump cover gasket? Would a small drip leak have been evident at times, but the problem masked when the thru-hull was shut off? Look for corrosion/ weep stains/ dried mineral precipitate on the pump body. You say the old impeller was pulled, and in complete form, no missing pieces? They can come apart and clog the inlet of the heat exchanger; but new operating temp is OK, not elevated from previous run temp?
Naked eyes see very little when it comes to impellers, Morty. There could be tiny cracks you couldn't see in the blades, for instance.
But what I'm guessing happened is that the old one wore out and got thin, so it wasn't up against the faceplate of the pump housing. You'd never "see" that, and could only gauge with a pair of vernier calipers.
Also, sometimes the faceplates get scored inside. Either sand them down flat again with wet fine paper, or just buy a new one.
Speaking of spending your money, did you buy a replacement impeller while you were at it, as well as a gasket or two (which you can also make from thin paper bags)?
But what I'm guessing happened is that the old one wore out and got thin, so it wasn't up against the faceplate of the pump housing. You'd never "see" that, and could only gauge with a pair of vernier calipers.
Also, sometimes the faceplates get scored inside. Either sand them down flat again with wet fine paper, or just buy a new one.
Speaking of spending your money, did you buy a replacement impeller while you were at it, as well as a gasket or two (which you can also make from thin paper bags)?
stu, your reply seems to have hit the nail on the head, thanks. and torreson sells new impellers as a kit including gaskets.
actutally stu, i should have added that i sail with an emergency kit that torrreson sells - impeller, belts, filters, etc. - and replace what i use.
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