replacing an impeller on a Westerbeke (27 hp)

[James Simmonds]

Ok - could they have have made it any more difficult?

I tried to do it myself with no luck. I know have a pro looking at it and he says it could take 3 hours to change. They are proposing installing an inspection hatch in the aft cabin in order to improve the access to the impeller.

Has anyone had any luck with any other approach?

 

[CABixler]

Ok - could they have have made it any more difficult?

I tried to do it myself with no luck. I know have a pro looking at it and he says it could take 3 hours to change. They are proposing installing an inspection hatch in the aft cabin in order to improve the access to the impeller.

Has anyone had any luck with any other approach?

It is a little tough to get at. You have to do it my feel since you can't see from the front. I used my digital camera to take a shot just to have a reference in my mind. I brought a 1/4 drive deep well socket with a little 1/4" breaker bar just to loosen the machine screw. It is a 7 mm hex that is also slotted for a screw driver but forget that! The deep well socket is easy to use with your fingers to fully unscrew or tighten. The little breaker is just to snug up. I like it as it's much smaller then the 1/4 drive rachet.

I also use dental floss as strong thread to lightly tie the new gasket to the cover and then when the screws are in i just cut the floss and pull off. You can also use a little grease to stick it to the cover.

I also use a little dish soap to lube the impellor. I don't worry about the vane direction as it pops to the correct direction upon starting.

The give you extra screws in the box in case you drop one. If been lucky. Caution: do not torque too much. It would sicken me if I stripped or snapped a screw.

Side story: four years ago we bought our beloved 331. Previous owner always had the yard do everything. Everything! Anyway they ask me if I want them to do the spring engine check. $100 to start your engine. I said no i'll do it myself.
Motor sailed to our harbor. All excited with the maiden voyage. Next day with family took a nice sail. Winds died about 5 miles out. Decide to cheat an hoist the iron genny. Ended up overheating and the alarm went off!

Towed back. Had to replace the impellor. Went to remove and the screws were loose! Turns out the yard by practice loosens the screws t drain impellor for winter. Then the snug up in spring. So I made it day one by luck. The suction kept it sealed.

Anyway good luck.....

 

[Gunni]

Speedseal

These crazy raw water pump locations are a pet peeve. Yanmar isn't much better, in fact the 4JH3 engines are notorious for hiding the pump cover under a bunch of hoses and the alternator. Imagine trying to change out that impeller while the boat bounces about at sea, and you are folded into the engine compartment?

My fix was the Speedseal Life. You replace the impeller cover with a machined custom cover with a teflon bearing and knurled bolts. Most of the bolts stay in place and the cover has slots to align it correctly. All bolts are tightened with your fingers only. Easy to remove, easy to reinstall. The manufacturer is in Britain, but many US distributors have them also.

 

[James Simmonds]

Not sure what you mean when you say a "breaker bar". One of the problems is the original manufacturers paint is on the nuts so it is difficult to get a hex nut to fit on them. I will give this a try this weekend.

 

[CABixler]

Not sure what you mean when you say a "breaker bar". One of the problems is the original manufacturers paint is on the nuts so it is difficult to get a hex nut to fit on them. I will give this a try this weekend.

Just a simple little handle to turn the socket. Just like a rachet but no ratcheting and a smaller profile. A rachet would work but I just would loosen then use the deep well socket like the thumb screws on Gunni's cover plate he added.

I liked the idea of knurled thumb screws.

Anyway it sounds harder then it is. I don't remember an issue with the paint interfering so just not sure.

 

[Robert19928]

Ok - could they have have made it any more difficult?

I tried to do it myself with no luck. I know have a pro looking at it and he says it could take 3 hours to change. They are proposing installing an inspection hatch in the aft cabin in order to improve the access to the impeller.

Has anyone had any luck with any other approach?

We have a 2001 331. The first thing I did 10 years ago was to make an access hatch in the aft cabin as I found it impossible to get at anything on that side of the Westerbeke engine.

The process is straight forward. Make some measurements, move some wires and hoses out of the way, mark the cut lines, check one more time and then cut out a section out of the wall with a jig saw. Do this carefully as you will be using this piece for the hatch. The insulation stays attached. Add some molding to the piece to make a frame and a bit of hardware to secure it and then you have an access hatch. Best thing I ever did. Much easier to check the oil, change oil filter, change impeller etc.

 

[James Simmonds]

Thanks Craig - I may give this another shot this weekend.

Happy Fourth of July. Its Canada Day here tomorrow. Weather looks fantastic for the weekend.

 

[James Simmonds]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Got the job done on the weekend but still considering the installation of the hatch.
Question for all - I found two of the four missing fins of the impeller. Would the other two have broken up and flushed out or would be be stuck in the system somewhere. She seems to pumping lots of water.

 

[Jackdaw]

Question for all - I found two of the four missing fins of the impeller. Would the other two have broken up and flushed out or would be be stuck in the system somewhere. She seems to pumping lots of water.

I'm going to guess that they are in your intercooler.

 

[Bum]

I also cut a port in after I paid a mechanic to do it for me.I watched from behind the engine so I would learn.He took about an hour,did it by feel.He was good,I have done it quite a few times since.