Impeller headache on 272

agprice22 · Aug 27, 2014

Is it ok to tack the gasket to the face with a little gasket maker or sealant to hold it in place while you screw it in? Not a lot, just a thin film in two or three little spots.

Thanks,

Andrew

woodster · Aug 27, 2014

agprice22 said:
Is it ok to tack the gasket to the face with a little gasket maker or sealant to hold it in place while you screw it in? Not a lot, just a thin film in two or three little spots.

Thanks,

Andrew

that would work fine or you could cut some 16 ga wire and take the single strands and tie the gasket to the cover ...threading the strands to the out side of the holes as to not inter-fear with the gasket sealing surface

mavourneen · Aug 27, 2014

What I did was to spread a very small amount of grease on the paper thin gasket to hold the gasket in place. It worked for me. And you don't need four hands to do this job. Three are sufficient.

agprice22 · Aug 27, 2014

Not to hijack your thread, but... This reminds me of the time I was picked to replace the exhaust maniford gaskets on my boss' 30 ft cabin cruiser (gas engine). I was picked because I was smallest, and I could squeeze into the compartment. Well... I managed to get the old gaskets off. I got the new ones on, holding them, the manifold, and turning the wrench all at once. Got them tightened down, and the damn engine would not start! Turns out I had the gaskets upside down! OOPS! I was a little redfaced at that! I got it fixed, and we went fishing the next day. Whew! I did get dinner at my Boss' house out of the deal... But he let me know in NO UNCERTAIN terms that his daughters were off limits!

Thanks!

Andrew

Mickstr · Aug 27, 2014

Say what?

Pat said:
Hello again, my O'day 272 has a Westerbeke W10-2 diesel and the impeller is to be changed before the weekend...but am having a devil of the time installing the impeller cover...I have the impeller inside the housing, but.can't get the cover to hold tight to the housing at the same time I'm inserting the screws while trying to keep the gasket in place as well...all in all I think I need 4 hands and a lot more patience. Today I dropped the face plate down in the motor or under the engine somewhere...cannot find...have a new face plate coming from Texas...any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Patrick

You're talking about the raw water impeller? I don't understand the problem. because of another issue, I had to take my impeller out maybe a dozen times this year, and replacing it was never an issue (272LE, Westerbeke 10/2). Are you removing the pump or trying to replace the impeller in place?

If you take the pump off the engine, replace the impeller and reinstall, you should spend 10 minutes tops! And putting the impeller cover on is no issue at all. Are you sure the impeller is seated right? Something sounds off here...

cbourne200 · Aug 28, 2014

Mickstr6 - have you had good luck with replacing the impeller? I bought my 'new to me' 272 in Dec 2011 and had an immediate leak. Since it sits directly over the alternator, this was not something that could be 'put off'. I had heard several stories of people trying DIY replacement, only to have to have a 'professional' redo it due to leakage. So I took it to the local Westerbeke dealer and had it repaired - about $150 if I remember correctly.

Charles

Mickstr · Aug 28, 2014

Replacing the raw water impeller on a 272 westerbeke 10/2 is a piece of cake. The impeller kit is Westerbeke p/n 32620. Loosen the hose clamps on both ends of the pump. Take the inlet hose off, then remove the two bolts holding the pump onto the mounting bracket. Take the pump off and pull it out of the output hose as you do. Once you have the pump off, just remove the 4 small bolts, remove the gasket and impeller. Now clean it all up, spread some lube on the flat surfaces, and put it back together. Everything you need is in the rebuild kit. It also includes the bearings, which I haven't used yet...

Super easy, don't pay for this one!