Diy Water Impeller.

[Basspro3106]

after countless YouTube videos and manual reads I'm ready to change my water impeller.

 

The only question I have is some people but a dab of grease on the impeller. They save it saves the impeller from running dry the first time you run it. I don't think its necessary but let me hear what you guy have to say.

[Smokinal]

I plan on doing mine soon too and will be greasing it lightly. It takes 2 seconds; why wouldn't you?

[Al Wolbach]

I have always greased mine but have read somewhere about using liquid dish washing soap in place of the grease. Either would probably be fine. Just makes sense to lub with something....

[Basspro3106]

I'm mean my boat sits for 8 months and when I start it up after sitting for so long the impeller is dry for idk how many seconds it takes for it to start circulating water it might be almost instantly idk. 

 

Im about to start pulling the lower end and will grease the impeller.

[Ski213]

I jrubbed a thin layer of dish soap inside the housing when I did mine. I don't know that it's a deal breaker but it's cheap and quick insurance.

[Way2slow]

I would never recommend using wheel bearing or general purpose grease on anything other than metal to metal contact surfaces.  There are too many rubber and synthetic products that it can react with and damage them.

 

My go to assembly lube for almost everything is LubriPlate 105  http://www.amazon.com/Lubriplate-Assembly-Grease-L0034-092-03494/dp/B00C7YUMQ4.  I've been using this stuff on pneumatic tools and hydraulics and parts since the late 60's.   Almost every engine I've ever built (and that has been a bunch) has been assembled with the stuff on everything but the rings (they say the rings also but I think it's too slick and can cause problems getting them to seat) and have never had a problem.   There is nothing better for putting on rubber/synthetic parts, other than in automatic transmissions because it can cause problems with making the frictions too slick and slip.  Can't say the same for stuff I've seen people put together with grease and some oils.

As for the water pump starting up dry, it's never dry if the motor is trimmed all the way down with the boat sitting in the lake. The water pump is below the water line so it's going to already be flooded with water when the motor starts with the motor down and does not need any kind of lube when assembled for that. I use lubriplate because it makes it easier to assemble and sometimes you have to turn the drive shaft a little to get the splines lined back up. Doing that with a dry impeller makes it a whole lot harder. Once it's assembled and back on the motor, it's always going to water around it unless you start it up without being on a hose, in a tank or in the lake.

Now, if you are one of those idiots I see that gets the ramp and starts and runs their motor before launching, just to be sure it's going to start, then all bets are off on what kind of condition the impeller is going to be in.

[Basspro3106]

^ good call on the grease and rubber bad reaction. My buddy builds rc planes and heils and he greased some plastic parts and they started smoking. I will use dish soap.