Impeller install

Outboard motors use water that comes in through the water intake to keep the engine cool when it is running. The water is brought into the outboard through the use of an impeller that draws water into the water intake opening on the midsection of the outboard. The impeller may need to be replaced if the engine is not running properly. You can install an impeller on a Force outboard motor by first accessing the impeller pump housing.

Remove the bolts that secure the lower drive unit to the midsection of the outboard by using a socket wrench. Depending on the model of the motor there may be four or five bolts that you will need to remove. Tap on the lower drive unit to loosen it with a rubber mallet. Tapping the lower drive unit will make it easier to pull out. Pull out the lower drive unit until the drive shaft is clear of the midsection and set it on the ground.

Remove the bolts or nuts that are securing the impeller pump housing to the lower drive unit with a wrench. Pull the impeller pump housing up off of the drive shaft.

If the housing appears stuck, use a screwdriver to gently pry up the housing to loosen it. Take the old impeller out of the impeller pump housing if it did not already fall out.

Apply grease to the impeller key so that it does not fall out of the drive shaft. The impeller key is a pin or small piece of metal that is located at the base of the drive shaft.

Polyurethane impellers are used in that application. Replacement is relatively simple. For raw water pump applications, first close the water intake thru hull valve. Then, remove the pump's end cover screws and take off the cover and gasket. Take the old impeller out by gripping the hub of the impeller using channel lock or needle-nosed pliers. Some impellers are sealed onto their shafts with o-rings, a few in some Volvo, Atomic Four and Universal engines are held on with setscrews.

When the impeller is out, examine it closely. The tips of the vanes should be round, not flat, and there should be no cracked vanes or distortion in their shape. Check each vane by bending it. If the impeller is in pieces, be sure to get all the bits out and be sure they are all accounted for.

Little chunks of rubber can migrate into the heat exchanger or the engine and cause overheating damage. Lightly lubricate the inside of the impeller housing with Vaseline to reduce the friction of the first dry startup. See the Jabsco Impeller Catalog for a Troubleshooting Guide with diagrams of impeller wear patterns, which might help you to determine the cause of damage to your impeller. Your pump may need additional service, particularly the seals, bearings, wear plates or clutch.

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