Impeller replacement on 361 w/ westerbeke 30b

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Mar 21, 2011
13
Beneteau 361 Grandpappy Point
Anybody tried this and have any advice? I've mastered the oil changes but am now venturing into new maintenance areas. I've heard I may need to remove the water pump to make it easier to replace the impeller. Based on its proximity to the oil dipstick (See photo), which I have to replace by feel, i am not sure how I will manage to remove all 6 or 7 of the screws and pull/lube/replace the impeller.
 

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Jul 8, 2005
522
Jeanneau 389 Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Can't see the 6 screws in your picture.
Are you sure about the location of the impeller?
We have a Yanmar and the water pump (impeller) is in the front.
We take off the belt and loosen the water hoses and the impeller housing can spin around so I can remove the screws on the back.
 

Mike B

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Apr 15, 2007
1,013
Beneteau 43 Baltimore, MD
Done it numerous times. No need to remove the pump assembly. Get a small inspection mirror on a thin handle. Auto supply stores have them. With the mirror and small flashlight and feeling around you should be able to get an idea of where the screws are. Work on the bottom and sides first removing the top one first. Take note of which way the vanes are facing before removing the impeller. You'll need to know so you insert the new impeller correctly. Once the impeller is out, which should pry out by gently working a flat blade screwdriver around the perimeter a little at a time, clean the flat surfaces of the pump body an plate face. Use some hand soap on the edges of the new impeller and reinsert with the vanes oriented the same way the old one was. Once it's fully seated you can reinstall the face plate. I tie the new gasket onto the face plate with light sewing thread. This keeps the gasket from sliding out of position when attaching to the pimp body. Snug down all the screws and run the engine checking for leaks. Do not over tighten the screws or you risk stripping the threads. It does take some feeling around but once you've done it the second time is much easier. Good luck.
Mike
 
Mar 21, 2011
13
Beneteau 361 Grandpappy Point
The impeller cover I believe is on the right side of the picture. 4 of 6 of the bolts are visible.

Thanks for the advice mike b I will get a mirror and give it a try.
 

Mike B

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Apr 15, 2007
1,013
Beneteau 43 Baltimore, MD
BTW I meant to say remove the top screw last, not first. Also if you have a small metric socket and ratchet set it's easier than trying to use a screw driver to remove the hardware. Keeping the new gasket aligned with the faceplate is key. That's why I tie the gasket on with thread using just one wrap if thread. Otherwise by the time you get the faceplate back on you risk the gasket slipping out of place and or tearing. Take your time and you'll be fine. Good luck
Mike
 
Mar 21, 2011
13
Beneteau 361 Grandpappy Point
Finally got to the impeller replacement this weekend. Fairly easy to get the screws out even though I did it blind. Had to use a small vise grip to be able to grab the impeller and pull it off the spindle.

Impeller kit was for the new pump that came out in 2004 - had the o-ring instead of the paper gasket I needed. Fortunately the impeller itself was the same size and the parts department at the marina had a gasket. Got lucky there.

Two of the six fins on the old impeller were shredded off and not in the pump. I am not sure how long this impeller was on - bought the boat about two years ago. Pulled the hose from the water pump to the heat exchanger off and saw a few bits of rubber but no where near enough to make up for the missing fins. Not sure I want to take the heat exchanger apart. Anyone have any advice?

I was able to put everything back together - using the thread for the filter was good advice - and did get water out of the exhaust. To be honest I can't remember how much flow there was before compared to now, so not sure how successful it was but at least everything is back together. Anyone know if I could hook a temperature gauge up to see how hot the engine is running? Only have temp light on control panel.
 

Mike B

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Apr 15, 2007
1,013
Beneteau 43 Baltimore, MD
Glad to hear it went well. Finding two of the vanes missing is a good reason to change it on a regular basis. Hopefully the missing vanes passed through the system and wont eventually block water flow. You should get a pretty good gush out of it every few seconds. If you are then I wouldn't worry too much about it.
 
Feb 26, 2007
102
Beneteau 361 Quebec
impeller 361 30B3

Hi, I have a Beneteau 361 with a Weterbeke 30B3 and although it is difficult to replace the impeller I do it every year. I have replace the impeller cover with the cover from SpeedSeal which make the cover installation easier. To facilitate the impeller insertion I put a tiewrap around the impeller to keep the rubber blade slightly compressed and in the right rotating direction. Hope this will help you.
Georges
 
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