Bravo 3 impeller
 

Hey fella's! Trying to research b-3 impeller change. Has anyone done this? I believe the impeller is in the housing behind the starboard bottom pulley. If its simple and just a bolt on piece, it may save 450 bucks to have the merc guy do it, but at the same time, id pay it if its more complicated and requires a trained person to do, not risking a motor! [emoji23]

Thanks


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Re: Bravo 3 impeller
 

I haven't done this replacement but the previous owner did and said it wasn't that hard. He is more of a management-type not a mechanic-type if you know what i mean.

There are plenty of youtube videos on this but the configuration of the surrounding accessories will be different. One example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZYJq746awc

You could just replace the whole pump at about $300 but you can get an impeller replacement kit for about $60.

Re: Bravo 3 impeller
 

The stock Merc pump is really not very good. It is partially made of plastic and the bearings tend to go. After multiple rebuilds of my Merc pump I recently switched to a GLM pump. It's all brass and bronze. The is also a stainless pump available but I can't recall the name at the moment.

Re: Bravo 3 impeller
 

Its not hard, just takes a little time n frustration trying to reach behind it. Will be pulling mine again this year. Pay attention to the twist of the impeller!

Re: Bravo 3 impeller
 

Steve you can get the entire assembly and its a bolt on ready to go kind of deal?
Thanks for sharing that im sure anyone with a bravo drive will appreciate it.


'98 mariah shabah 180
5.7l 350 mag
Bravo III

Re: Bravo 3 impeller
 

Does it always show a bit of wear when you change?


'98 mariah shabah 180
5.7l 350 mag
Bravo III

Re: Bravo 3 impeller
 

Hunter,
Yes the GLM pump is direct bolt on. GLM Products Inc - Water Pumps. Not sure if you have the serpentine or V belt set up on your 5.7L but they have a model for both. The only part you use from your old pump is the bracket that attaches the pump to the block.

The other option, which is a bit pricey, is the Hardin Marine Stainless pumps. They are all stainless steel with roller bearings, should last forever, and the should at their price. Hardin Marine - Mercury Sea Pumps

Either option is a better pump than the stock Merc IMHO.

Re: Bravo 3 impeller
 

Yes it will show wear. Too much n it may not prime with new impeller.

Re: Bravo 3 impeller
 

Thanks for the links steve. Im going to check that stainless pump. Im just going by what ive read but the rule of thumb is every 2 yrs to just change impeller? Its a small part that can destroy a motor, ive heard if your not paying attention and that overheat alarm goes off, theres most likely internal damage.
Piece of mind for a really good pump is probably worth it.

Thanks again man!


'98 mariah shabah 180
5.7l 350 mag
Bravo III

Re: Bravo 3 impeller
 

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...50c45d891e.jpg

Im working with a rep on this right now! Thanks for line steve, i'll send pics once we fine tune it and i get er installed.


'98 mariah shabah 180
5.7l 350 mag
Bravo III

Re: Bravo 3 impeller
 

It’s not too hard, just kind of tight in there. I replaced mine in about 45 minutes at the lake. Don’t forget to clean out the tube that crosses under the engine. Mine had a screen in it that caught all the rubber pieces when the impeller came apart. If you don’t get all that rubber out it will still overheat. I’m 6 foot two 260 pounds so it was kind of tight in there. But I got it done and saved a lot of money.



97 Z222 Shabah
7.4 Merc
Bravo III

Re: Bravo 3 impeller
 

Good info Bo, but I think Hunter sold his boat. Might have a bigger Mariah now though.

Re: Bravo 3 impeller
 

:wink_thumbup:

Re: Bravo 3 impeller
 

I have a 2001 Shabah 182 this is my first boat and I have only had it for one summer I would like to do a lot of the work on it myself. I have done a lot of work on cars but not boats. I believe I have a alpha 1 gen 2 in this post you say the impeller. Needs to be replaced every couple years in car terms is that the water pump and do I need to check it? Don't think the previous owner did much but the basics.

Re: Bravo 3 impeller
 

They are all talking about the impeller in the seawater pump, which is separate from the drive in a Bravo 3. It is belt driven by the engine. An Alpha has the impeller in the drive unit just above the anti-cavitation plate. Both of those are different from the coolant circulating pump in the engine, which has no rubber impeller and is just like the one in a car engine.Since the Bravo 3 pump can be more easily removed and disassembled, it may make more sense to check it or replace it more often. The Alpha drive impeller takes a lot more work to remove. I doubt either really needs replacement in just a couple of years unless there is some special use that requires it. Generally either type impeller will usually fail by dropping off rubber blades one-at-a-time, so you have some warning that the engine temp is slowly rising above what is normal.

Re: Bravo 3 impeller
 

I’m sure there better people on here to ask but I’ll tell you what I have learned. They say it should be replaced every three years. The rubber gets hard and it comes apart. Then you have to get all the rubber pieces out of it or they will clog something up. Looks like yours is in the lower unit. I haven’t changed that type. Mine is up in the engine compartment. YouTube is your friend. :wink_thumbup:

Also, don’t start it without water ears or on the lake. Ask me know how I know. :mad:

Re: Bravo 3 impeller
 

Thanks for the info, if the engine has a water pump what is the purpose of the impeller? Does it feed water up to the engine so you're not relying on the water pump to draw all the way from were the outdrive is under water. 🤔

Re: Bravo 3 impeller
 

Yes, the pump in the engine is not self priming and would not lift the water up into the engine.