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frozen/fused impeller
joninnj	#1  Posted on 04/16/10 - 2:09 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 408 Comments: 3 Joined: 06/07/07	Hi All, I am getting ready for boating this season...Yeah!!! I recently purchased a small 4.5 HP kicker for my 17. I am doing maintenance and repairs to it now. I am about to replace the water pump, all has gone well until I got to the impeller. It is literally fused to the shaft. I have been shooting it with PB blaster and light tapping but I do not think it will budge... I am thinking about cutting it with a dremal very carefully...Any other ideas? This impeller may not have been changed for 10 years or more... Thx Edited by joninnj on 04/16/10 - 7:42 PM Jon in NJ Many other boats and outboards in my boating history The Whaler is the one I like the best!!!
Derwd24	#2  Posted on 04/16/10 - 2:45 PM
Member Posts: 1607 Comments: 9 Joined: 05/09/07	I've done just that in the past, pulled all the rubber off and made a vertical slit in the side of the metal impeller base ring, then split it open with a V cold chisel. Once it splits, it'll come right off, and you don't actually have to cut all the way through to the drive shaft. Dave - 1983 Outrage 22
number9	#3  Posted on 04/16/10 - 2:45 PM
Member Posts: 210 Comments: 1 Joined: 03/13/08	A Dremel with a small cut off wheel should be quick and easy job. I'd cut most of the way to the shaft and uses something to pry and break the last bit. Bill...On the Ogeechee 1984 Outrage 18...Yamaha T50...that's right, 50hp
modenacart	#4  Posted on 04/16/10 - 4:02 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 741 Comments: 4 Joined: 02/28/09	I would try heat first and see if that works. They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety. --Benjamin Franklin
Derwd24	#5  Posted on 04/16/10 - 8:38 PM
Member Posts: 1607 Comments: 9 Joined: 05/09/07	There are 2 back to back rubber gearcase shaft seals just below the impeller and water pump plate that can be damaged by heat so you have to be careful in that regard. Dave - 1983 Outrage 22
joninnj	#6  Posted on 04/17/10 - 5:49 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 408 Comments: 3 Joined: 06/07/07	Thanks All, I think using the dremel will be the best option and quickest. Thx Jon in NJ Many other boats and outboards in my boating history The Whaler is the one I like the best!!!
JohnnyCW	#7  Posted on 04/17/10 - 7:36 AM
Member Posts: 684 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/16/09	I too have used a Dremel for this exact same issue. Made the job quick and easy.
joninnj	#8  Posted on 04/17/10 - 3:23 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 408 Comments: 3 Joined: 06/07/07	Hi All, You wont believe this... I nearly sliced the metal bolt like ring/impeller in half, 2 cuts 1 on each side, with no luck. Still fused to the drive shaft. Lucky for me the drive shaft pulls out with no problem. I may now try heat or bring it to shop to professionally removed. Dont want to make any more cuts because of the woodruf key, I may have already cut that, no way to tell from the rust and corrosion. Open to more ideas... Thx Jon in NJ Many other boats and outboards in my boating history The Whaler is the one I like the best!!!
JohnnyCW	#9  Posted on 04/17/10 - 6:23 PM
Member Posts: 684 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/16/09	If it'll fit, try the freezer for a few hours then place it in the kitchen over at around 300 degrees for an hour or so then let it cool to room temp. Sometimes the thermal cycle will loosen things and neither is enough to damage anything. I've had the process work on stubborn shaft bearings.
number9	#10  Posted on 04/17/10 - 7:37 PM
Member Posts: 210 Comments: 1 Joined: 03/13/08	You don't need to worry about cutting the key, they are replaceable. Once you made the cuts did you attempt to split the impeller by prying? Unless split or opened up it will remain "fused" and likely won't slide off in one piece without force. Bill...On the Ogeechee 1984 Outrage 18...Yamaha T50...that's right, 50hp
joninnj	#11  Posted on 04/18/10 - 7:01 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 408 Comments: 3 Joined: 06/07/07	I did try prying and tapping but did not use to much force. I will use a heavier cold chisel today with more force and maybe heat. I may also split it into two more sections. My only concern about the key is removing it. A new one come with kits. If this fails then it goes to a shop for professional removal. Thanks all!!! Jon in NJ Many other boats and outboards in my boating history The Whaler is the one I like the best!!!
joninnj	#12  Posted on 04/18/10 - 2:53 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 408 Comments: 3 Joined: 06/07/07	Success!!! 2 wacks with a cold chisel and it split like walnut. Thx Jon Jon in NJ Many other boats and outboards in my boating history The Whaler is the one I like the best!!!
MW	#13  Posted on 04/18/10 - 3:04 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1827 Comments: 10 Joined: 01/08/06	If it's "Impossible", it's just gonna take a little bit longer to do, that's all ! Matt