What is a Boat Engine Impeller

Time on the water is valuable. When you have a repair issue with your engine, it can often be because of overheating and the likely culprit is an impeller failure. Routine maintenance can prevent that. Over half the time we tell this to a boater they ask: "What is a boat engine impeller"? In this video we will cover:

0:00 Intro
1:47 What is an impeller
3:40 How often should you replace your impeller
4:40 Issues caused by lack of impeller maintenance
5:50 Our impeller maintenance recommendation
6:20 Tip for buying a used boat
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For more info check out these resources:

*Boat Care/Maintenance Playlist:

*One on one boat chat to ask me questions:

*Len's Cove Learning Center:
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[boatinglessons]

Have you had a water pump impeller fail? If so, how was the damage/repair?

[okieshortriderz]

I must the luckiest guy on Earth…. My nephew still uses my old 1980 boat with a 1979 Johnson 115, impeller never replaced, and still peeing. And I only changed the spark plugs once many years ago. Lucky.

[michaelcowan]

I have a 1997 Maxum 1750SR with the mercruiser 3.0 engine.
I just had my lower unit impeller replaced in 2019.
It still looked good, with no heating issues.
The repair shop was really surprised.
Plus in the last 10 years we only use it about 3 time a year.
Still looks and runs good.

[barrybebenek]

Awesome topic. Such great advice. Small thing…huge consequences, if you ignore it. 🇨🇦👍🏼

[storypunman]

Our impeller failed 2 weeks ago on the water, no damage, noticed it at start up on the lake. Wasn't far out and came in with 2 trolling motors. That was the original impeller in a 1996 30hp Mercury. So, it lasted 28 years. Changed it at home last week, should be good for many more years, unless the quality of the impeller has dropped like every other modern day product.

[jims]

Just found your channel - Thanks for not blasting your intro music. I have a 1968 'classic' Sport Craft project boat and my impeller hates me, laughs at me and lies about lasting. Found four in OK after that they maybe 'cut to fit.'

[muc]

Another reason for preventive impeller replacement, as impellers get older they start to lose flexibility. Pieces can break off and get stuck in hard to reach areas. That adds to the cost. Most marinas I worked for had 2 prices for impeller replacement. Routine maintenance -- (cheap) and replacement because the impeller failed -- (almost always twice as much $$$ and sometimes in the thousands).

[traceye.]

Excellent information and well presented! Thank you!

[robspeers]

Great advice to keep your engine in top running condition.

[thomfoster]

Impeller technology hasn’t changed in over 70 years. Dropping the lower unit is required and can be difficult especially if the motor is used in salt water. It’s time for all manufacturers to address this antiquated design flaw. Replacement access should be as easy as changing a spark plug.

[OB]

I recently was ready to purchase what looked like a nice boat. The owner failed to winterize the boat and the block froze. He replaced the engine and wanted to sell it quickly. When I asked that last question about the impeller, I got the “what’s an impeller”, that’s all I needed to know. Great question to ask. Glad i didn’t buy that boat.

[MrMkeiling]

Great tips and info . What is a reasonable range for an impeller replacement in a stern drive ? Ty

[skipper]

Very good video. And very informative! Thank you

[Matt_winterbottom]

I have a bunch of old Johnson evenrude 15 hp motors and I replaced the impeller every year

[thecarolinahoosier]

Great tip. I notice our local dealer runs outboard engines out of the water for a few minutes as part of their winterization procedure to get all the residual water out of the passages. Seems like this practice could cause extra wear on the impeller, since there’s no water to “lubricate” it as it’s spinning. Is this an issue or not?

[ronandanjie]

Can you tell me how to find out if my impeller is on the engine or in the leg

[wheatwear]

Nice video. I always check for the pee coming out of my outboard as I do not have a temp gauge. Cheers from the Finger Lakes!

[AussieRic]

my motor goes good for 20 minutes then the primer is flat, after keep squeezing the primer for 5 minutes then the motor starts but only runs max 5 knots all the way back to the boat ramp if i try go faster it stalls, any ideas because it does go fast for the first 20 minutes every time I go out then primer flat again? I dont think its a blockage as it runs perfect for first 20 min each time, has an underfloor fuel tank. Please help...

[derickdouangnouanexay]

I just replace mine an it still not taking in any idea

[jasonhurdlow]

Would be nice to know how much it costs to replace an impeller. Yet not mentioned in the video.