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Author Topic:   Impeller Replacement Cost

SunnySouthFloridaWhaler posted 07-16-2003 08:28 AM ET (US)
Just got my Montauk 170 back from the 20 hour service. They charged me $ 227.00 of which $ 160.00 was for two hours of labor. The service manager called me up during the service and asked me if I wanted them to go ahead and replace the impeller which should be replaced every 100 hours or once a year. (It took me 10 months to get my 20 hours) I asked him how much and he said it would be another $ 280.00! I looked up the price of an impeller and they seem to run around $ 16.00. I told him for that much money I would buy a service manual and figure out how to do it myself. Were they tryin' to rip me off or what?
kingfish posted 07-16-2003 08:51 AM ET (US)
That seems a little steep; at $80.00 per hour that would have to be 3 hours and change, and I'd think that an $80.00 mechanic could do the job inside of two hours.
kingfish
Whalerdan posted 07-16-2003 08:54 AM ET (US)
I just took my lower unit into a guy because it was jammed and wouldn't rotate. Had him change the impeller while he was in there. Granted I had the lower unit off and the pump housing and impeller off when I brought it in, but it cost me $214.66 to fix the jamming and put it back together.
prj posted 07-16-2003 10:10 AM ET (US)
I recently changed the water pump and impeller on a '90 70 HP Johnson.
First time for me on any engine and with a recently purchased OMC manual, it took about 3 very very leisurely hours, 3 pabsts (fresh from the cottage keg) and perhaps 4 smokes.
As noted in many previous threads, the shift shaft alignment is the challenging part. I expect that I could accomplish this job again solo in about 1 hour (2 pabsts) with the knowledge gained.
In response to your question, you were getting jobbed UNLESS the newer outboards are radically more difficult to work on OR the mechanics are incompetent / more leisurely than I.
NEVER SCARED posted 07-16-2003 01:14 PM ET (US)
Sunny, 20 hrs is waaaaay too short a time to change an impeller. What are they made of, toilet paper? My used 1992 15 hp Evinrude was never changed. I added about a zillion hrs over 4 more years and sold it. No problems. My 1995 Ocean pro (used) still pees strong. Never changed impeller in any of them. People own outboards for 20 years and never change them.
SunnySouthFloridaWhaler posted 07-16-2003 02:29 PM ET (US)
That's what I thought ... sure was surprised when the dealer suggested replacement when the thing is like brand new!
During the 20 hour service, they also replaced the electric fuel pump under warranty and added some more fuel line to allow the primer bulb to be turned vertical (never would pump up the way it was installed originally when they installed the Pate tank)
I wanted to buy another Honda (which I had before and liked alot) or Yamaha buth the only way you can buy 'em is with the Merc. Not too impressed so far ...
bsmotril posted 07-16-2003 07:55 PM ET (US)
An impeller can go to pot in way LESS than 20 hours IF:
You start the motor with the lower end dry
You run through mud or sand and it gets sucked into the pump
You have a defective impeller, or it was installed with the vanes pointing backwards.
BillS
jimh posted 07-16-2003 11:14 PM ET (US)
When replacing an impeller there may be a kit of parts that would include the impeller, of course, and new wear plates and new seals. I guess that could run about $40. In the worst case, you might have to replace the pump cover, which is probably about $50.
I don't know what the target time for repair is in the shop book, but if everything went well you could do it in an hour I guess. That would be an experienced mechanic who knew what he was doing.
As mentioned in the thread, the hard part is to realign the various shafts and housings in the lower unit during reassembly. This is often awkward because you are holding a heavy lower unit in your hands and you will need an assistant to help align everything.
It is a good idea to periodically remove the lower unit so that you keep it from freezing in place.
I think I would have also refused to authorize replacement of the impeller after just 20 hours. If it shows strong output from the water pump confidence orifice, you might go a couple of years on an impeller.
lhg posted 07-16-2003 11:50 PM ET (US)
We've discussed this 20 hour "check-up" before. I'm sorry to say, in most cases it's just a built-in dealer profit center, and an excuse to run up a bill on a brand new rig. It's a disgrace to the industry. Your experience points this out. 2 hours labor for what? First of all, if truly needed, it should be free, but strangely, it's not. Secondly, if ANYTHING needs to be done, it should be under warranty as defective, including impeller. Never agree to a checkup at YOUR cost. As a matter of fact, you're even paying them to look for mechanical defects that could lead to THEIR warranty cost later! If there is truly something that needs to be adjusted after break-in, it's their warranty expense.
Neither Boston Whalers nor Mercurys are built so poorly that an "at your cost" checkup is needed. If something fails, labor and material should be free. You got taken, unfortunately.
Incidentally, my Mercury dealer charges me about $150 for a new impeller job, on a Mercury 200. More parts are included than just the impeller itself. Absent abuse, I have found impellers are good for about 250 hours.
Rob Cote posted 07-17-2003 06:23 AM ET (US)
This past spring I spent about $100 bucks for a 2 day outboard motor maintenance course at a Mass Maritime. The course was taught by the service manager of a well respected dealership. My goal was to gain more confidence in my troubleshooting skills, should I have a problem while out on the water. The course was well worth it.
The instructor suggested a once per year replacement, or anytime you take the lower unit down (that's half the work, so you may as well).
The course included the impeller replacement procedure, and it was not very difficult. When I got home I replaced my impeller in about an hour and half, and that was taking it slow. Granted, the procedure is quite easy for my 90hp Yahmaha, and I can't speak for other motors.
Also, Sue at Twin Cities was very helpful in sending me just the parts I needed.
Anyhow, I learned alot more than impeller replacement. If I'm ever in the market for a new motor, I'll find a way to talk to the service manager about the type of problems he sees with each motor. lhg's advice is good too, I'll make sure my checkups are included in the price of the motor.
JOHN W MAYO posted 07-20-2003 09:21 AM ET (US)
I have a 1976 merc 150hp /1500.
I bought the both the boat and engine used. The pump in this engine was replace ....1..... time in all those years. I plan to replace it soon althought it is still seem ok. If I had owned it all thiose years I am sure I would have replaced it Several times. I think that at 20 hrs this might be a little soon.

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Author	Topic: Impeller Replacement Cost
SunnySouthFloridaWhaler	posted 07-16-2003 08:28 AM ET (US) Just got my Montauk 170 back from the 20 hour service. They charged me $ 227.00 of which $ 160.00 was for two hours of labor. The service manager called me up during the service and asked me if I wanted them to go ahead and replace the impeller which should be replaced every 100 hours or once a year. (It took me 10 months to get my 20 hours) I asked him how much and he said it would be another $ 280.00! I looked up the price of an impeller and they seem to run around $ 16.00. I told him for that much money I would buy a service manual and figure out how to do it myself. Were they tryin' to rip me off or what?
kingfish	posted 07-16-2003 08:51 AM ET (US) That seems a little steep; at $80.00 per hour that would have to be 3 hours and change, and I'd think that an $80.00 mechanic could do the job inside of two hours. kingfish
Whalerdan	posted 07-16-2003 08:54 AM ET (US) I just took my lower unit into a guy because it was jammed and wouldn't rotate. Had him change the impeller while he was in there. Granted I had the lower unit off and the pump housing and impeller off when I brought it in, but it cost me $214.66 to fix the jamming and put it back together.
prj	posted 07-16-2003 10:10 AM ET (US) I recently changed the water pump and impeller on a '90 70 HP Johnson. First time for me on any engine and with a recently purchased OMC manual, it took about 3 very very leisurely hours, 3 pabsts (fresh from the cottage keg) and perhaps 4 smokes. As noted in many previous threads, the shift shaft alignment is the challenging part. I expect that I could accomplish this job again solo in about 1 hour (2 pabsts) with the knowledge gained. In response to your question, you were getting jobbed UNLESS the newer outboards are radically more difficult to work on OR the mechanics are incompetent / more leisurely than I.
NEVER SCARED	posted 07-16-2003 01:14 PM ET (US) Sunny, 20 hrs is waaaaay too short a time to change an impeller. What are they made of, toilet paper? My used 1992 15 hp Evinrude was never changed. I added about a zillion hrs over 4 more years and sold it. No problems. My 1995 Ocean pro (used) still pees strong. Never changed impeller in any of them. People own outboards for 20 years and never change them.
SunnySouthFloridaWhaler	posted 07-16-2003 02:29 PM ET (US) That's what I thought ... sure was surprised when the dealer suggested replacement when the thing is like brand new! During the 20 hour service, they also replaced the electric fuel pump under warranty and added some more fuel line to allow the primer bulb to be turned vertical (never would pump up the way it was installed originally when they installed the Pate tank) I wanted to buy another Honda (which I had before and liked alot) or Yamaha buth the only way you can buy 'em is with the Merc. Not too impressed so far ...
bsmotril	posted 07-16-2003 07:55 PM ET (US) An impeller can go to pot in way LESS than 20 hours IF: You start the motor with the lower end dry You run through mud or sand and it gets sucked into the pump You have a defective impeller, or it was installed with the vanes pointing backwards. BillS
jimh	posted 07-16-2003 11:14 PM ET (US) When replacing an impeller there may be a kit of parts that would include the impeller, of course, and new wear plates and new seals. I guess that could run about $40. In the worst case, you might have to replace the pump cover, which is probably about $50. I don't know what the target time for repair is in the shop book, but if everything went well you could do it in an hour I guess. That would be an experienced mechanic who knew what he was doing. As mentioned in the thread, the hard part is to realign the various shafts and housings in the lower unit during reassembly. This is often awkward because you are holding a heavy lower unit in your hands and you will need an assistant to help align everything. It is a good idea to periodically remove the lower unit so that you keep it from freezing in place. I think I would have also refused to authorize replacement of the impeller after just 20 hours. If it shows strong output from the water pump confidence orifice, you might go a couple of years on an impeller.
lhg	posted 07-16-2003 11:50 PM ET (US) We've discussed this 20 hour "check-up" before. I'm sorry to say, in most cases it's just a built-in dealer profit center, and an excuse to run up a bill on a brand new rig. It's a disgrace to the industry. Your experience points this out. 2 hours labor for what? First of all, if truly needed, it should be free, but strangely, it's not. Secondly, if ANYTHING needs to be done, it should be under warranty as defective, including impeller. Never agree to a checkup at YOUR cost. As a matter of fact, you're even paying them to look for mechanical defects that could lead to THEIR warranty cost later! If there is truly something that needs to be adjusted after break-in, it's their warranty expense. Neither Boston Whalers nor Mercurys are built so poorly that an "at your cost" checkup is needed. If something fails, labor and material should be free. You got taken, unfortunately. Incidentally, my Mercury dealer charges me about $150 for a new impeller job, on a Mercury 200. More parts are included than just the impeller itself. Absent abuse, I have found impellers are good for about 250 hours.
Rob Cote	posted 07-17-2003 06:23 AM ET (US) This past spring I spent about $100 bucks for a 2 day outboard motor maintenance course at a Mass Maritime. The course was taught by the service manager of a well respected dealership. My goal was to gain more confidence in my troubleshooting skills, should I have a problem while out on the water. The course was well worth it. The instructor suggested a once per year replacement, or anytime you take the lower unit down (that's half the work, so you may as well). The course included the impeller replacement procedure, and it was not very difficult. When I got home I replaced my impeller in about an hour and half, and that was taking it slow. Granted, the procedure is quite easy for my 90hp Yahmaha, and I can't speak for other motors. Also, Sue at Twin Cities was very helpful in sending me just the parts I needed. Anyhow, I learned alot more than impeller replacement. If I'm ever in the market for a new motor, I'll find a way to talk to the service manager about the type of problems he sees with each motor. lhg's advice is good too, I'll make sure my checkups are included in the price of the motor.
JOHN W MAYO	posted 07-20-2003 09:21 AM ET (US) I have a 1976 merc 150hp /1500. I bought the both the boat and engine used. The pump in this engine was replace ....1..... time in all those years. I plan to replace it soon althought it is still seem ok. If I had owned it all thiose years I am sure I would have replaced it Several times. I think that at 20 hrs this might be a little soon.