Cummins Marine Diesel Repower Specialists › Forums › Cummins Marine Engines › SMX Impeller replacement interval
- This topic has 6 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 6 years ago by Bill Desmarais.
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September 25, 2017 at 4:51 pm #23268
Richard G CookParticipantVessel 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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September 27, 2017 at 1:35 pm #23345
Bill DesmaraisModeratorVessel 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.
September 26, 2017 at 5:03 am #23281
leonaj99ParticipantI 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.
September 26, 2017 at 4:39 am #23278
Rob SchepisForum ModeratorVessel 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…..
September 25, 2017 at 5:11 pm #23272
Richard G CookParticipantVessel 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?
September 25, 2017 at 5:06 pm #23271
Richard G CookParticipantVessel 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.
September 25, 2017 at 5:04 pm #23270
Rob SchepisForum ModeratorVessel 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..
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