The Ultimate Run Dry Impeller

[Moki]

Yes, this is my impeller after I took my housing apart. It is guaranteed to never burn up again, of course there is the minor issue that it also will not pump water. We went boating last Saturday with our friends who own a Malibu and we are always talking friendly trash about each other's boat. I backed the boat in and my wife drove it to the the dock. Just as I was going out of the Marina, my engine alarm starts beeping and I looked down and had a nice toasty 250 degree reading on my temperature gauge. Normally, when my impeller goes, it siezes up the water pump and the belt will whine. Not this time. We anchored our boat and went surfing and wake boarding behind the Malibu.

Afterwards, I had to take the "ride of shame" being pulled back into a crowded marina by a Malibu. He was taking plenty of pictures. Anyway, I got it back home and bought a new impeller and housing and was back on the water in the afternoon with no problems. I also backed flushed the system and got all of the pieces out. The impeller / housing kit for my boat was only $49 at my local Tige dealer. If you have ever burned up an impeller, I highly recommend that you get a new housing. Check your housing when you change your impeller for maintenance, it's only around $15 more to get the whole kit. I have several problems with my impeller, I am confident that this has solved my impeller dilemma.

BTW, I bought an extra kit for extended trips such as Lake Powell. The kit is below the burned out impeller.

[TigeDuner]

Have you heard of a ss impeller that you can run dry? Trying to find more info on it.

[bsnook212]

I have heard that these globe composit impellers you can run dry. I have never use one.

http://www.kfgi.com/nav.php?products_impeller

[wannabewakeboarder]

Mokis always killing impellers

[TigeDuner]

I have heard that these globe composit impellers you can run dry. I have never use one.

http://www.kfgi.com/nav.php?products_impeller

Unfortunately, Marine Power and Tige are not listed under applications.

[da.bell]

Have you heard of a ss impeller that you can run dry? Trying to find more info on it.

I was thinking the same thing... Just wasn't sure I would ask. If you find out anything, please keep me informed.

Thanks

[dogbert]

Afterwards, I had to take the "ride of shame" being pulled back into a crowded marina by a Malibu. He was taking plenty of pictures.

Don't feel bad, a couple of buddies of mine own the same boat as I do, just different year models. Anyway, they're both somewhat mechanically disfunctional, but one is clearly worse than the other. We'd both told him that he needs to change the impeller at least once every 2 years. Well, he's owned the boat now over 2 years (bought it used) and had it in the shop. I'd suggested again that he change the impeller while he's there because he called me to see if I could tow it back out to the lake (~50 miles). So, I pick up the boat on my way out last weekend and take it to the lake. He immediately dumps it in the water and sure enough, about 100 yards away from the boat ramp he starts overheating...guess what, the impeller is not pumping water.

[tigeboarder1122]

I guess he will change his impeller more than once every two years NOW! Guess he learned his lesson, and will listen to you from now on.

[chpthril]

Cause and affect, baby I hope the new housing fixes it for good

[dogbert]

I guess he will change his impeller more than once every two years NOW! Guess he learned his lesson, and will listen to you from now on.

If you knew him, you'd know that there's still a high likelihood that it will happen again

Of course, I do have to cut him a little slack since I was able to borrow an engine block drain plug from his boat after one of mine broke. We did tease him about how handy it was to have his parts boat around, tho

[chpthril]

I guess he will change his impeller more than once every two years NOW! Guess he learned his lesson, and will listen to you from now on.

Or weasel out of admitting he was wrong

[Moki]

We'd both told him that he needs to change the impeller at least once every 2 years.

I have been changing mine every year and it was the housing that was chewing it up. There was a piece in the housing that had a clean break on it that was supposed to go all the way across. Because I didn't know what the housing was supposed to look like, I didn't notice it and it was chewing up the impeller.

BTW, I went 10 years without ever changing my impeller on my Four Winns 210 Horizon. But I think these higher output motors are more sensitive.

Tell your buddy that since he has burned up the impeller that he would be better off getting a new housing now.

[Moki]

Have you heard of a ss impeller that you can run dry? Trying to find more info on it.

There is an impeller made by Globe that will run dry for 15 minutes. Spharis has one installed on his boat and has had no problems. I read another thread on a Mastercraft site where they complained about then not pumping water while at idle. But, I am going to try one when I replace it again next year. You need to measure your current impeller and then order the replacement.

PS I can change one out now in 45 minutes or less.

[dogbert]

I have been changing mine every year and it was the housing that was chewing it up. There was a piece in the housing that had a clean break on it that was supposed to go all the way across. Because I didn't know what the housing was supposed to look like, I didn't notice it and it was chewing up the impeller.

That's why I usually have my dealer do it while he's doing my annual service. It's never been an issue for me.

[Moki]

Smart, if you do regular maintenance, you shouldn't have to change the housing for a long time. I was planning on having my dealer do it for me originally, but they charge $400 and had a 4 week waiting period. I learned my lessons the hard way, but now should be good to go. Also, I am glad that I now know how to do it. On Lake Powell, you could be hours away from any Marina, and then once you get there, hours away from any Tige dealer.