Cummins Marine Diesel Repower Specialists Forums Cummins Marine Engines SMX Impeller replacement interval

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  • #23268

    Richard G Cook
    Participant
    Vessel Name: Dream Catcher
    Engines: 6BTA 5.9 M3 330hp
    Location: WA
    Country: USA

    After how many hours should an SMX impeller be replaced? Mine has two summers, almost 1,600 hours on it.

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  • #23345

    Bill Desmarais
    Moderator
    Vessel Name: Extremist
    Engines: Cummins 6BTA 370
    Location: Portsmouth, NH
    Country: United States

    And if ya want to avoid a “dry start” after a long winter…….just before launching……….remove the two 1/4″ plugs on the face of the pump. (vacuum and pressure ports)

    One on each side and about where the top of the impeller would be.

    Spray heavy inside the holes with WD-40…………”bump” the engine with the key or push button….just BUMP……spray again….BUMP again………put the 1/4″ plugs back and you’ll be good to go when you splash.

    #23281

    leonaj99
    Participant

    I never keep an old used impeller for a spare. I keep a new one for a spare then after 2 seasons I use the “spare” as a replacement and buy a new one for a spare.
    I figure that if I have to go thru the work of replacing an impeller especially if under duress, I want to put in a new part.
    I’ve done this for 25 plus New England boating years and have never had an impeller failure.

    1 user thanked author for this post.
    #23278

    Rob Schepis
    Forum Moderator
    Vessel Name: Tenacious
    Engines: 6BTA 5.9 330's - "Seaboard Style"
    Location: Long Island, NY
    Country: USA

    Hi Rob,

    If I pull it and it looks OK, put in a fresh one and keep old one for a spare?

    Sounds like a good plan. First SMX change-out, so you’ll get to finally appreciate how easy impeller R&R should be. My preferred “lube” is Kentucky Jelly – no dry starts and easy self prime – goop it heavy and slide it right in!

    Preventative maintenance is changing something before it fails – I’d surely rather pull an impeller that may have “some” life left in it then wait for the day that you have to chase rubber pcs upstream and downstream of the pump…..

    #23272

    Richard G Cook
    Participant
    Vessel Name: Dream Catcher
    Engines: 6BTA 5.9 M3 330hp
    Location: WA
    Country: USA

    Hi Rob,

    If I pull it and it looks OK, put in a fresh one and keep old one for a spare?

    #23271

    Richard G Cook
    Participant
    Vessel Name: Dream Catcher
    Engines: 6BTA 5.9 M3 330hp
    Location: WA
    Country: USA

    SMX pump was brand new last spring. No incidents, no apparent problems. This would be first changeout.

    #23270

    Rob Schepis
    Forum Moderator
    Vessel Name: Tenacious
    Engines: 6BTA 5.9 330's - "Seaboard Style"
    Location: Long Island, NY
    Country: USA

    Definitely a few variable here – Condition of pump cam, off season layup, any “dredging” through the shallows, any incidents of reduced seawater intake, etc. Would this be your first change out? So no history/baseline? Two summers ~ 1,600hrs, if it were me I’d pull it..

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

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