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Post by Zanshin on Nov 28, 2009 23:26:27 GMT
My advice is: "Let someone else do it". After I replaced the impeller on my genset with a missing blade I went ahead and did preventative maintenance on the impeller on my 49DS main engine. 6 Hours of work, almost without a single break. The full story is at December 2009 Trip Report page but I'd like to state, for the record, that whomever designed the Yanmar installation at Jeanneau should spend an eternity at a level of hell to which Mr. Alighieri was not privy to!!!! The pump is not visible by naked eye from any angle, despite my removing the alternator from the engine. Luckily the digital camera gave me an idea what I had to do, but even then it was a major effort to remove the screws/bolts (there wasn't even enough room for a mini screwdriver to fit, but an 8mm ratchet wrench luckily did). The old impeller was well-nigh impossible to remove, and getting the new one in was somewhat less work. but getting the O-ring to seat was really tough. So much so that I had to repeat the process when it leaked miserably the first time around.
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Post by Don Reaves on Nov 29, 2009 12:16:15 GMT
I have been putting off the replacement of the impeller in my 2004 SO35 for similar reasons. But in my case, the pump is right on the front of the engine, behind the plate that holds the pulley. Remove a few things and it should be accessible. I'm glad it's not as bad a job as you had to endure.
Congratulations on getting the job done.
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Post by Zanshin on Nov 29, 2009 23:02:42 GMT
Don, if the screws on the cover are visible, and you can put a pair of needle-nosed pliers onto one of the fins and get some leverage to pull then it should be a quick and simple job. My right forearm and arm hurt terribly today because I didn't have any leverage and just couldn't get the old one removed.
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Post by MalcolmP on Nov 30, 2009 12:36:08 GMT
Couple of suggestions: On my SO34.2 I fitted a speed seal coverplate, these have 2 benefits, the fixing screws are large thumb-screws that can be hand tightened, and importantly has a captive O ring that replaces the gasket, used it for around 4 seasons and it was great, have not got round yest to do the same on the 39i, but plan to see: www.speedseal.comOn the 39i Yanmar supplied a puller There are also some tips from Nigel Calder on using angled pliers as a puller at: sailmagazine.com/boatworks/engines-and-systems/the_all-purpose_impeller_puller/I will put something on the Hints and Tips section as this is clearly a major issue for those with rear facing water pumps Malcolm
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Post by Admiral on Dec 6, 2009 5:55:22 GMT
I would add that I have also had to struggle with replacing the impeller on our SO45 but it was made easier by removing the pipe (visible in your photo) and tucking it out of the way. I like the idea of the Speed Seal and may well fit one. Admiral
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Post by Zanshin on Dec 10, 2009 11:47:00 GMT
I'm in St. Martin right now and blew $80 for an impeller puller from Jabsco. Even though I hope not to need it for a long time, I think it will be a worthwhile investment.
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Post by cplatt on Feb 2, 2010 1:29:38 GMT
This really is not a tough job and should take no more than 30 minutes to do. First you need a puller or long nosed pliers to remover the old impeller. DO NOT try to pry out the old impeller as you will damage the pump surface. When reinstalling the new impeller, grease it lightly with Vaseline or silicone grease and pre-bend the blades in the direction they will bend once installed. A nylon wire-tie can be used to hold the blades in the proper pre-bent direction. then all you need to do is slide the impeller on to the shaft. If done properly you will not dislodge the O ring. If you do need to reinstall the O ring use the Vaseline or silicone grease to hold it in place.
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Post by Zanshin on Feb 2, 2010 8:40:37 GMT
cplatt - have you ever actually changed this impeller on this model boat? I've changed impellers before and know the steps necessary, but on the 49DS and 4JH3 the location of the pump is such that it is hard to get to. I now have an impeller puller and the next time it will be quicker, but certainly not 30 minutes.
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Post by cplatt on Feb 3, 2010 0:04:58 GMT
Zanshin, I have changed the impeller on the 4jh3te at least a half-dozen times on my Jeanneau 45.2 which is approx. the same engine compartment (read cramped). I do have a speed seal cover which for this model Yanmar really does not speed anything up besides having slots in place of holes on the cover. This due to the fact that the O ring is in the pump body and not on the cover. There are pliers called "end-cutters" (channelock #748) that are made for cutting a wire very close to a printed circuitboard. They look like long nosed pliers with the cutter at the very end. The cutter tips will hold the old impeller very well when you are removing it. These pliers will damage the old impeller so don't count on saving it for a spare.
Best of luck and good sailing. Corbett
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Post by Zanshin on Feb 3, 2010 8:23:14 GMT
Corbett - I looked at that speed seal and came to the same conclusion, that it wouldn't bring any advantage since the pump body is not visible and the screw removal needs to be done by feel - plus that isn't what takes all the time. With the new impeller remover I should be able to get the old one out quickly (which took most of my time and cause my cuts and bruises) and putting the new one is not a problem. But it is still a difficult matter to seal it correctly as there is no way of visual confirmation that the O-ring is seated correctly and doing it by feel didn't work (at least the first time around) for me. I was at the Yanmar booth two weeks ago at the BOOT fair in Germany and they didn't have their new 75HP engine there, but I had read that they've relocated the water pump so that access is now gained from the front.
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Post by ianpowolny on Mar 17, 2014 12:44:17 GMT
Guys its a while since this thread was live but here are some comments:
I have found that when purchasing impeller 129670-42531 it has some threads built in to it and these match impeller puller 129671-92110 for my Yanmar 4JH4. Seems the easiest way to go for me.
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Post by On y va on Mar 17, 2014 16:51:43 GMT
cplatt - have you ever actually changed this impeller on this model boat? I've changed impellers before and know the steps necessary, but on the 49DS and 4JH3 the location of the pump is such that it is hard to get to. I now have an impeller puller and the next time it will be quicker, but certainly not 30 minutes. This really IS a 30 minute job. And with a speedseal probably 20. I admit, it is not the best place to put an impeller pump and I donĀ“t know how easy it is to get to this pump on a SO49, but on my SO40 it is not a problem at all. Done this 10 times, at least, so sort of know from experience. I will time myself this coming Saturday, as I am doing the engine service then and I will be installing the Speedseal "life" at the same time (impeller included in the speedseal kit).
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Post by Mistroma on Mar 17, 2014 18:23:44 GMT
Guys its a while since this thread was live but here are some comments: I have found that when purchasing impeller 129670-42531 it has some threads built in to it and these match impeller puller 129671-92110 for my Yanmar 4JH4. Seems the easiest way to go for me. I was going to buy a puller for the 4JH4 in my 42DS but decided to make a DIY one instead and it only cost about 2 GBP. Soon afterwards I discovered a sketch of an alternative design for the Yanmar puller I'd originally considered buying. It had the same method of operation as the one I'd made and was about 40 GBP, so quite happy. www.mistroma.com/ImpellerExtractorTool.htmlAccess to the pump is really easy on the 42DS but I guess a puller would still help the OP.
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Post by windward54 on Mar 17, 2014 20:11:49 GMT
We have the the 4jh3-hte on our 49DS, and whoever designed the install and location should suffer! The pump impeller is installed facing aft, and is located below the heat exchanger, so not only can you not see what you are doing, but you have a heck of a time getting your hands in to do anything as well. When I went to buy a new impeller befor doing the swap, the shop mechanic laughed and gave me some advice. The mechanic suggested I just pull the whole water pump instead of trying to get to the impeller. He was right.
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Post by On y va on Mar 17, 2014 22:19:24 GMT
We have the the 4jh3-hte on our 49DS, and whoever designed the install and location should suffer! The pump impeller is installed facing aft, and is located below the heat exchanger, so not only can you not see what you are doing, but you have a heck of a time getting your hands in to do anything as well. When I went to buy a new impeller befor doing the swap, the shop mechanic laughed and gave me some advice. The mechanic suggested I just pull the whole water pump instead of trying to get to the impeller. He was right. I think the person designing the interior of the SO49 should be the one being kicked in the bollox, as obviously he/she failed to create access to the impeller pump. On the SO40, access is through the side hatch and is not a problem. You cannot blame Yanmar for this really. Ok, I have seen better, but it is quite do-able. You can blame Jeanneau for chosing this engine OR not creating access to an important piece of equipment like the impeller pump.
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koza1212
Junior Member
From:- Brisbane Australia
Posts: 10
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Post by koza1212 on Mar 18, 2014 2:20:24 GMT
I have replaced the impeller twice on our 49DS and believe me the only way to do it is to remove the whole pump. Even then I have skin off every part of my hands.
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Post by clewed on Mar 19, 2014 12:38:13 GMT
Hi Guys, just wondering. Besides no water coming out of exhaust, what is the first / main telltale impeller requires replacement
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Post by Don Reaves on Mar 20, 2014 20:36:41 GMT
Don't wait for a sign that the impeller needs to be replaced. Instead, replace it on a schedule. I have found that once every two years works for me, but most of the literature I have read indicates that you should do it once a year.
The way an impeller fails is that the vanes crack and eventually come off. You can see the cracks only if you open the pump, at which point you might as well replace it. If the vanes come off, they will find their way into the pipes in the cooling system, and cause blockages that will be very hard to fix.
Don
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Post by ianpowolny on Mar 22, 2014 16:42:39 GMT
How difficult is it to remove the seawater pump from a Yanmar 4JH4 in 45DS? I was told I would need to support the engine block and remove an engine mount. I'm not so handy so have asked the boatyard mechanic to do this job. Thoughts please, Ian
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Post by On y va on Mar 22, 2014 17:20:08 GMT
Don't wait for a sign that the impeller needs to be replaced. Instead, replace it on a schedule. I have found that once every two years works for me, but most of the literature I have read indicates that you should do it once a year. The way an impeller fails is that the vanes crack and eventually come off. You can see the cracks only if you open the pump, at which point you might as well replace it. If the vanes come off, they will find their way into the pipes in the cooling system, and cause blockages that will be very hard to fix. Don Don, the replacement of impellers also depends a little where you sail. I.e. in muggy, dirty waters or in waters with sand in it, swirled up by currents, a yearly replacement is recommended. Also prolonged periods of standing still is not particularly good for impellers. Not so much that they dry out, but they tend to "glue" themselves to the impeller housing and when you start, can get a little stretched. But i.e., where I normally sail (around Mallorca) every other year would be fine too (using a genuine Yanmar impeller). I do check every year though, In fact, today! I changed my impeller after two years use (and in 20 minutes! ), including installing a new Speedseal Life cover. One other remark I want to make: not all impellers are the same, quality wise. Original Yanmar impellers are defo better than the cheap ones you find as replacements in various chandleries or on webstores. But they are also more expensive. As the impeller is vital to the health and reliability of your engine, I do not to skimp on that. And if you do, replace every year. Yet another remark: also a brand new impeller can fail within one month, one week or one hour of installing. ALWAYS listen for the sound of water coming out of the exhaust (but everybody knows this, ofcourse! )
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Post by Zanshin on Mar 27, 2014 1:42:14 GMT
Hi Guys, just wondering. Besides no water coming out of exhaust, what is the first / main telltale impeller requires replacement I've seen that the flow of water decreases before the impeller fails. This can be seen by looking at the input water filter and if the water flow is sluggish or the water level is low in the filter then one or more blades of the impeller might have broken off or bent and total failure is impending.
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Post by freeflow on Dec 7, 2018 20:24:04 GMT
bumping this thread for when I tackle this....
some good info here, any new insights?
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Post by artboas on Nov 10, 2019 5:03:48 GMT
Ok, I have very good news for 49 DS owners!! I designed a workaround for the impeller changing problem It is fully documented on the Hunter Big Boats site, under my name Artboas. With this workaround, you can change the impeller in 15 minutes. Costs about $200 to implement. Best money ever spent!!
Good luck. You can pm me at A.boas@rogers.com with any questions
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Post by MalcolmP on Nov 12, 2019 8:00:29 GMT
Very innovative. I will add a link on our hints and tips
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Post by alenka on Nov 12, 2019 9:20:05 GMT
bumping this thread for when I tackle this.... some good info here, any new insights? Freeflow, If your arrangement is the same as mine then just getting to the water pump is a nightmare. You will need a very bright, freestanding LED light to get enough illumination on the job and be very careful removing the face plate retaining screws - I had one engineer in too much of a rush and he stripped the head off one. Which meant getting the pump off the engine to drill out and fit a new screw. This ended up with the engine being lifted off the rear mounts!! Have an impeller puller onboard that allows you to remove the old one smoothly and cleanly without doing damage. Its just the location that makes everything so difficult. My last boat I could change the thing inside 15 minutes but this is a different story altogether
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