Replacing swollen impeller housing - Impeller touch up question

[srf32]

Searched the forums but couldn't find answer to this question. Noticed rattle/grind noise in port engine toward end of last season. Getting the boat ready for this summer and pulled the pump to see if it might be a swollen liner. It was. Cone bearing feels great and no signs of water in the grease. Have replacement impeller housing ordered, but have a question about the impeller.

There is about a 3 inch long area affected on each of the 3 blades by the contact with the liner (see first phot0 There's a sharp lip where there was contact on each blade and the area is also rough. Any advantage or downside to lightly smoothing the rough edge and sharp lip on each blade? Would remove only as much as necessary and try to repeat evenly on each blade. Would it make any difference or just make me feel good...?

Also the trailing edge of one of the blades is bent (see second photo). I assume something solid was ingested and got "caught" between the impeller blade and one of the fixed vanes in the cone housing causing the bend. Not sure how much this is affecting performance. Is it worth trying to get it back closer to original shape? Leading edges and rest of the impeller are in good shape, so don't see a need to replace.

Thanks!

 

[Marvin willis]

Buy a new one. Betting u boat in salt water. Your liner is swollen. Buy one with a plastic liner on eBay or Amazon. Better and cheaper. I’ve replaced both mine.

 

[srf32]

Thanks. Replacement housing is already on the way as per my original note.

My question was about dressing the scuffed areas of the impeller. You're saying that from the photos the impeller is too damaged and needs to be replaced?

 

[CaptRedbeard]

I have the same setup as you. Just replaced my original impellers and wear rings today. They were on back order for like 12 months and finally got them delivered last winter. My impellers were a bit worse off than yours but my understanding is that it doesn't take a whole lot to make them less efficient.

I'd say go ahead and sand out the rough spots and try to bend back the trailing edge. It would only make things better.

 

[srf32]

Thanks.

I ended up just taking the sharp edges off with a fine file and then smoothed with a rotary wire brush. No easy way to address the bent trailing edge without disassembling the cone bearing assembly, so left it as is. Will see how it goes once back in the water.

Also went ahead replaced the starboard impeller housing too even though it did have any swelling yet. Boat will be in the water all summer, so easier to replace now (and not a lot of $ in the grand scheme). The impeller and bearing on that side looked great, so no additional work there.

 

[CaptRedbeard]

Thanks.

I ended up just taking the sharp edges off with a fine file and then smoothed with a rotary wire brush. No easy way to address the bent trailing edge without disassembling the cone bearing assembly, so left it as is. Will see how it goes once back in the water.

Also went ahead replaced the starboard impeller housing too even though it did have any swelling yet. Boat will be in the water all summer, so easier to replace now (and not a lot of $ in the grand scheme). The impeller and bearing on that side looked great, so no additional work there.

In case you're feeling more ambitious before you're ready to buy new impellers - you'd need to unthread the impeller from the shaft to slide it off and repair the trailing edge.

Tool you'll need:

Solas Driveshaft Holding Tool WR007H For Yamaha Watercraft

SOLAS IMPELLER TOOL WR007 USAGE CHART The Solas WR007H Impeller Holder Tool is used to help install and remove an impeller on many of Yamaha's Waverunner jet skis. This tool holds the driveshaft in place while loosening the old impeller and tightening the new impeller. Solas part WR007 works...

jetskisint.com

 

[srf32]

Good to know, thanks.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

F Y I https://jetboaters.net/threads/low-budget-fix-for-yamaha-pump-liner-swelling-issue.12121/ I actually tried it out and it was very good , I only use nylon liners now though and just avoid the issue in the first place.

 

[srf32]

Thanks for the tip. That said, both the new housings I installed have nylon liners, so shouldn't have to try your fix.