Impeller Replacement

[TwinTip]

Can someone please share a step by step guide on how to replace the impeller, including removal and repositioning of belt as well as any items to check for during/after this process. This would be on an '04 and '05 Excalibur engine. I have not seen many differences between the engines on these two years so I take it the process would be the same.

There was a post regarding the o-ring or seal and when to use it or not. These are parts of the process that would be important.

Also, are there any special tools needed, like an impeller extractor?

Jeff/Luke, this may be a good subject to add under the Maintenance Articles section.

Thanks.

[NautiqueJeff]

Changing the impeller is fairly simple. In the diagram of the raw water pump below, you'll be replacing the items marked "2". They include the impeller and the styrofoam gasket. Your PCM Impeller Kit (Part #RP061017) will also come with an O-Ring, which should be discarded when installing the impeller on an Excalibur.



1. Loosen clamps and remove the incoming and outgoing water hoses from the water pump.

2. Loosen the belt tensioning bolt, and allow the raw water pump to slide back so that the belt can be removed.

3. Remove the two bolts holding the raw water pump to the engine.

4. Remove the raw water pump from the engine.

5. Remove the four screws holding the impeller cover in place. Be careful not to loose the washers.

6. Remove the impeller cover, and discard the old styrofoam gasket.

7. Take note of the direction of the fins before removing the impeller! Using two flat-head screwdrivers, carefully work the impeller out of the raw water pump. Be extremely careful not to scratch or disfigure the inside of the water pump, as this can lead to poor water flow and early destruction of the new impeller fins.

8. Apply a thin layer of soap to the inside of the water pump. This will aid in installation of the new impeller, and lessen impeller wear at the first startup.

9. Push the new impeller onto the keyed shaft of the water pump. Be sure the fins are pointing in the same direction as they were on the old impeller.

10. Install new styrofoam seal and cover, and tighten the screws.

11. Install the water pump onto the engine as it was before. Be sure not to mount it upside down!

12. Reinstall the belt and adjust the tension.

13. Reattach incoming and outgoing water hoses. Tighten clamps.

That should just about do it. You might not have to remove the water pump to complete this procedure, especially if you have a direct-drive, but I usually do it, just to make getting the old impeller out a little bit easier. If anyone has anything to add, please feel free.

[mrese]

If you do remove the pump, take the time to mark the ports input or output, or else up and down to prevent an upside down installation.

[TwinTip]

Great, thanks for taking the time for such a detailed procedure.

[nms1991]

The 04 and newer use a serpentine belt system so you do not have to remove the complete housing.
Step 1 Remove belt by levering belt tensioner over towards middle of engine
Step 2 use 10 mm socket and ratchet to access bolts on impellar housing, donot remove completly from housin they are retained in front housing by small orings not in impellar kit
Step 3 remove front half of housing noting again not to lose the orings holding the bolts into the front housing
Step 4 remove impeller from housing by either pring out or using pliers to pull out the impeller
Step 5 If the impeller is missing peices of the blades find the missing parts, back flush the impeller hose from the housing to the trans cooler while having hose removed from trans cooler.
Step 6 Reinstall parts according to how you disassembled them, if not sure about belt routing there is a belt routing chart on the engine.

[itrynwake]

how does one lay the fins over to get it back into the housing? I have tried turning in the direction it came out while pushing it in but thats not working...is there a trick?

[skinautique]

I wouldn't put oil on there. you just need to compress the blades a little bit and then once it is in there, spin it around so that all blades are pointing in the right direction.

[jwfergus]

I bet some KY Jelly would work. It is water soluble so should disolve right away when started up and not effect any rubber components likd petroleum products tend to do.

Just my 2 Cents worth

[Ryan_E]

I know this is an old thread but I just wanted to say nms1991’s directions worked perfect, 06 model, and thanks for posting. I just changed my first impeller; now I kick myself for ever having the dealer do it. The next time I’ll take pictures and use your step by step directions so PN folks can have a visual as well. Thanks again!

[inboardsonly]

Do not use oil! It will swell the rubber impeller blades.

Soap or KY, they will not affect the neoprene.

IO

[Surfsmith]

My impeller was completely disintegrated. What direction do the fins go? Where down stream do all the pieces collect?

thanks
dgg

[obd666]

My impeller was completely disintegrated. What direction do the fins go? Where down stream do all the pieces collect?

thanks
dgg

will depend on what model boat and motor you have ?

[Surfsmith]

Sorry for the lack of info...

2003 206 with 330 Excalibur (non serpentine).

dgg

[obd666]

i have that same motor and pump but the v-drive version ... your motor rotates LH, so you would orient the impeller accordingly. on my boat, water leaves the raw water pump and loops through the v-drive, but yours probably goes directly from the pump up to the thermostat housing. i would flush out the tubing btw the thermostat housing and the pump, and then btw the transmission cooler and the pump (the intake side). you could take a look at the thermostat too if you feel so inclined ... guys with direct drives may have a better idea of where the pieces go to

[gride]

Good lord. Do a search or at least state you are too lazy to do so; which I have done a time or two.