Lubricant for impeller
- Thread starter VernonJ
- Start date
Glycerin. A small packet should come with the replacement impeller. If not, stop by your local pharmacy, get the liquid formulation, not the suppository!!
Chris -
Chris -
This stuff works well for that and for lube for the head pump.
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I just put a little dish soap on mine when I install it so it doesn’t run dry until water flows through the pump.
Greg
Greg
It is neoprene. I use silicone grease. Small container last a long time. A little dab will do you.
Doesn't have to last past the initial start-up and leak check.
@justsomeguy is right - only needs to "lubricate" until it starts pumping water. I've used just a smear of KY when replacing one, or dish soap, whichever is convenient. @jssailem have you ever checked if the silicon lubricant is still there after a little while running the engine? I'll bet after an hour it is all washed away anyhow.
I'd worry about anything with a petroleum base eroding the plastic impeller. Probably such a small amount and it would get washed out quickly, but why risk it with your new $20 thing. Also, you only need the lubrication for four turns until water starts washing into the pump.
Glycerin is what the impeller manufacturers suggest and ship many impellers with. Dirt cheap at any pharmacy.
Any lubricant added to the impeller will only last for a very short time. It is one of those recommendations that sounds like it will do some good for the initial startup after replacement, but no one knows if it provides any measurable benefit I have not seen it included as an installation step in any shop manuals. Once you open the seacock water will flow into the pump to prime it. The worst enemy of the impeller is heat and water will keep it cool and will greatly reduce friction on the vanes. Would not worry about it.
Johnson (OE supplier to many engine manufacturers) supplies glycerin right in the impeller kit..
I tried auto and hardware stores and I haven't found glycerin. I do get some strange looks 
When I search for glycerin on Amazon I get many sex lubes that are glycerin free.
When I search for glycerin on Amazon I get many sex lubes that are glycerin free.