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Reginald P. Smithers III

wrote:
On Mon, 17 Sep 2007 10:43:50 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

Nothing wrong with that if you use the motor a lot, overkill for
others. Operating time is a better guage, probably somewhere around
300 to 400 hours unless you run a lot in shallow water.

Install a water pressue gauge. They you get a real time indication of
impeller and water delivery system performance. You really can't tell
much from the "pee" stream. 3 PSI looks pretty much like 17 PSI. 3
will not provide enough water to cool your engine.
I bet one of the most over replaced item on an outboard is the
impeller. Bonita Boat Center (fat Cappy) tried to tell me I needed one
every 100 hours ... but they were the same ones who couldn't fix the
"known problem" on big foot mercs that caused overheating. They sold
me TWO impellers within the first 300 hours of running. I still have
the second one in my box of spare parts. The next time I swap out an
impeller that will be the one I use. It is pristine. I have 1700 hours
on the last one they installed. My water pressure is still doing fine
but I am going to swap the impeller the next time I get up on the
trailer. I will post pictures of the old one if you want.
BTW is there anything BUT shallow water? Not around here ;-)

Impellers for most I/O cost $25-$35 (I think outboards are even cheaper)
and are very easy to change out yourself. I run about 100 hrs a year,
so I put about 200 hrs on an impeller when I change it. I also anchor
in shallow water, with lots of sand and clay. Whenever I change my
impeller, it looks in great shape, but I figure it is the cheapest
insurance I can buy. It is also much easier to change an impeller when
you are winterizing your engine, than when it breaks while it is loaded
with people and gear. Or even worse when it breaks and you don't notice
the temp has risen until it has caused major damage.