Impeller blues

[DCatSea]

Had to remove complete pump from engine to get to the impeller, which probably needs changing (F5/6). Pump has shot seal, which really needs fixing before install of new impeller, so I am sending it to Depco Pumps in Florida for an overhaul. This is necessary because the Jabsco replacement will be a really tight fit, if it fits at all, in the space available.

Will post pix of rebuilt pump in a few days. And yes, we are flushing the system before putting it back together, including a new cooler (see other post)

Old impeller 1.JPG

Old impeller 2.JPG

Old impeller 3.JPG

[hetek]

Good call on checking the oil cooler. Many bits of pump impeller and marine debris get caught up on the input side of the cooler.

The occasional back flush of the cooler with a garden hose stuck in the output end will do the trick. You'll be surprised by what comes out sometimes. I swear, when I did mine, a handful of what looked like pine needles came out!

[DCatSea]

Update:

Just received rebuilt impeller from Depco Pump in Clearwater FL. Very pleased with result - 7 day turnaround from my mailing tp them, and what looks like a very thorough rebuild (see pic). I'm not going to open the pump because I really don't want to break the newly installed seal.
Depco replaced seals, wear plate, impeller and gasket, and reconditioned the shaft and body.
I thought their price was very reasonable ($158.00 inc UPS return). They were very responsive and easy to deal with.

I'm happy to share named contact information with Albineers.

Will be re-installing with new hoses, and a new oil cooler, on Thursday. Hope to be sea-trialing on Friday.

IMG_3748.JPG

IMG_3749.JPG

[WillieC]

$158 sounds like a bargain. I have heard good things about Depco. Do they accept pumps from the PNW? Kidding.
Did they paint it too or is that your handiwork? I swear when you take your car to a garage whatever grime and crud they have to remove to get to your repair, they bag it up and reinstall it before giving your car back.

[DesertAlbin736]

This is raw water pump or fresh water coolant pump (me not being familiar with A27 engines)? Yes indeed you got off easy. Our cruise mates last summer had the pump go out on the raw water cooled Yanmar 2GM20 in their O'Day 25 sailboat, including failed shaft seal, up in Nanaimo, BC. Cost over $600 Canadian to have it rebuilt. Buying a new pump would have cost $200+ more. Also delayed our cruise be 3 extra days waiting for parts.

[DCatSea]

I too was surprised by the bottom line, but that's what it was, so . The shiny new paint job was provided by Depco, and the whole thing looks remarkably like a new pump.

DesertAlbin: It's the RW pump (I hope)
Willie: if it will go in the USPS, Depco will take it, and send it back all shiny and new.

Incidentally the Jabsco alterative was over $500.00, and the Depco Marine Service Manager (Jim Beardon) wasn't sure if it would be a solid match. I was more than pleased to go with the rebuilt original, mainly because I knew it would fit. The original Johnson is also a very solid bit of Swedish metalwork.

I'll report back on the operation once its installed, but expect no problems.

[kerrye]

Good price. It cost me $177 just for the rebuild kit for our Westerbeke.

[DCatSea]

Installed rebuilt impeller pump today (along with a new oil cooler, hoses etc), and reseated the thermostat. What a difference - actually getting real, strong flow from exhaust. Engine ran at 2000 for 30 minutes, quickly warmed through and didn't go over 165 degrees. Will be testing under load, weather and Hurricane Irma permitting, on Sunday.

[Bearkeley]

That's great news, Doug! Sending off our spare pump to hopefully get it rebuilt. Thanks for the info! Just finished installing our new oil pump and spare starter and thankfully, she's back up and running!

[DCatSea]

Do you need Depco information? Glad to hear you are back in commission. Along with Sprig1 that's 3 27s back on the Bay this week. Yay!!!

[JFOkie]

Doug,

Went out yesterday and noticed temperature starting to build up (Nissan 78hp). Checked the raw water intake and nothing was coming in and limped to a mooring. Got towed to my mooring, dove under and the raw water intake seemed clear and clean, but did scrub it and cleaned out the screen. Ran out of time and it's nasty out today; will check it again tomorrow and also check the internal hose connected to the seacock.

However, the more I think about it and the more I research, I'm thinking the impeller needs to be replaced. Not a very good mechanic, but will give it a shot. The timing of your post is ironic.

Thanks for the pictures and post, I'm sure I will need to refer back to it tomorrow.

Regards,
John
M/V Nirvana

[kerrye]

These make impeller changes easier. I ordered one for our Westerbeke. Haven't installed it yet but holding the gasket in the right place while screwing in the small screws wasn't a simple task. I wouldn't want to try to do it in any kind of seaway.

http://www.speedseal.com/speedseal.html

[Bearkeley]

Do you need Depco information? Glad to hear you are back in commission. Along with Sprig1 that's 3 27s back on the Bay this week. Yay!!!

Found the contact info online so all good. Thank you. We discovered a leaking fuel return hose, so in addition to planned solar installation, hoping we can drill an access panel and replace the hose before heading out to the MTOA Rendezvous this weekend....unless of course, Irma decides to head our way. Hope to see you there!

[DCatSea]

JFOkie - John - a slip neighbor had a similar problem, and sort of half joking I suggested he dive to intake and put a hose up it to wash out the line. He took me at face value and did this, and it worked. He also back-flushed from the inboard side (don't ask me how).

I'm also not a mechanic, but found that shadowing (and being the go-fer for) a good one quickly taught me a great deal about what I could do without messing up too badly. Doing a diesel course is probably very useful, but I highly recommend shadowing, especially on your own engine.

[JFOkie]

Doug, a few years ago, I took a diesel engine course at the Wooden Boat School in Brooklin, Maine "Making Friends With Your Marine Diesel Engine" with Jon Bardo. The course was incredible and the instructor, Jon Bardo, was fantastic. We were given a book on diesel engines (not sure of the name) and I had that with me while I tried to figure out how to take off the water pump.

Before I removed the water pump, I closed the seacock and made sure the intake hose to the strainer was clear. I then removed the water pump and poured water down the hose going back to the strainer to see if that was clogged, but that too was clear.

Took apart the water pump and the impeller looked fine. However, I did install a new one and put it all back together. Fired up the engine, water was coming out of the exhaust so I knew the water pump and impeller were working. Not exactly sure what happened, but I'm going to replace the water pump after I haul out for the season. It's the original (1987) as far as I know and I probably should have checked that the internal gear (that spins the impeller) was working properly.

In addition to being happy that I made the repair, I now have more confidence in my mechanical ability. Of course, having the diesel engine book from the course and the Nissan LD28 service manual also helped.

Regards,
John
M/V Nirvana