How to know when to replace an impeller?

[Whiskey]

I managed to suck in some lake bottom rocks last summer on the port side. The impeller jammed on a rock and marked up the impeller blades and pump housing. After running the boat after that jam, the engine would warn over temp and had noticeably less power.

I’m about to order a replacement impeller and was wondering if it actually does need replaced. Can I clean up the impeller with a file and call it good or will it never be the same and I should just replace it?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Acard7]

Did you pull the intake screen on the side of the pump? You could have stuff stuck in there. Be a good idea to pull the screen and run the engine on the hose to see if you can mimic the overheat. While the intake screen is out you should have enough pressure while running on the hose that water will come out the side of the pump too.

 

[Whiskey]

Did you pull the intake screen on the side of the pump? You could have stuff stuck in there. Be a good idea to pull the screen and run the engine on the hose to see if you can mimic the overheat. While the intake screen is out you should have enough pressure while running on the hose that water will come out the side of the pump too.

I’m pretty sure I did when I removed the pump housing because I was afraid I might have pushed crap into the cooling line. I was last summer though so maybe there is crap in there.

I’ve never ran it on a hose before since we are so close to the water but this sounds like a good reason to do so.

 

[Acard7]

Ya I’d take the intake screen out and run it on the hose for sure then.. Just remember engine on then water on; water off then engine off. It’s the quickest and cheapest thing to do! If you still have an overheat on the hose then you know something is stuck in the cooling system forward of the Y.

 

[Whiskey]

Ya I’d take the intake screen out and run it on the hose for sure then.. Just remember engine on then water on; water off then engine off. It’s the quickest and cheapest thing to do! If you still have an overheat on the hose then you know something is stuck in the cooling system forward of the Y.

Awesome. Thank you, I'll do this as soon as I get the cover off.

Is it possible that the impeller is so chewed that it is affecting cooling?

 

[Acard7]

I

Awesome. Thank you, I'll do this as soon as I get the cover off.

Is it possible that the impeller is so chewed that it is affecting cooling?

I’d say it’s possible but your impeller would really have to be chewed up. If you have pics post em!

 

[Whiskey]

I

I’d say it’s possible but your impeller would really have to be chewed up. If you have pics post em!

I swear I took pictures but they must have been on my old phone. I'll pull it back out and take a look and snap some pictures. It was good enough to use the rest of the summer, so it couldn't have been too horrible.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Any deformation on impeller blades is not good. If there are dings and such filing smooth is better than nothing. Consult your shop manual on what the gap should be between the impeller blade and the wear ring, that measurement is crucial. If they are chewed up you can send them to either Impros or Leading Edge and have them repaired.