What trick do you use to pull your raw water impeller?

[Moderator]

On the Perkins 4-108, with the raw water pump so near the front engine room wall, it’s tough to get access to remove the cover and impeller.

In frustration, Van drilled holes from the main cabin into the engine room so he could use a longer screw driver on the screws. But pulling the impeller remains a frustrating task.

What tricks have all you clever people come up with over the years to make this easier?

Marilyn and Van

[racepassage]

Hi Marilyn,
I installed a Speedseal’ pump cover. dead easy now-Roger R.P.

[Arild Jaeger]

Hi Marilyn,

On my boat there is a rectangular hole in the bulkhead forward of the engine, which is covered by the box / step, which again can be lifted away. The hole is almost as large as the box. I hope you understand the explanation. This hole is good for access to the engine and the sea-water pump.

Arild

[Promise II]

Hi Marilyn,

I found removing the whole pump assembly to be the easiest way ( access through hole behind companion way step ) that way you can check the condition of your seals at the same time. If i can remember correctly the impeller had to be removed from the shaft using a small press.

Hope this helps.

Good luck, Brenton

[Ronar M]

Hi Marilyn

Yes a SPEEDSEAL is the answer. I don’t know if they are available in the States.

Cheers, Trevor

[Moderator]

Speedseals are available in the states – bit costly by the time its sent here (around $120 for cover and some spares). Now that Van has drilled those holes (which are mostly behind the step that Arild describes) getting the cover off is not the problem. It’s getting the impeller out. He just gripped it with a visegrip and yanked it around until it came out.

I had hoped someone had shaped a clever tool for pulling the impeller. I think he tried a 90 degree needle nose pliers the time before – but this last time that tool seems to have disappeared so he went for the visegrips.

Removing the whole pump – that’s an interesting idea. We’re planning on doing a minor kit repair on it next time anyway. I also read a good idea about keeping a spare pump on board, then when something goes wrong its easy to swap in a new pump, and do the necessary pump rebuild at your leisure later.

Thanks for the replies! Marilyn

[Author]

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