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MARINE DIESEL BASICS
  • Book Shop
  • Free Downloads
    • Free Manuals
      • Breathing – intake, exhaust
      • Cooling Manuals
      • Drive Train – Shaft Seals etc.
      • Electrical Manuals
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    • Diesel Engine Coolant/Antifreeze
      • Functions of a Marine Diesel Thermostat
    • Heat Exchanger Anode
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0

 

Raw Water Pump Impeller

 

Why the Impeller is Vital to a Diesel Engine

The rubber impeller pushes water through the engine's cooling system. The engine will quickly overheat (and have to be shut down) if the rubber/nitrile impeller inside the raw water pump fails; so it's important to be sure the impeller is in good condition.

Impellers may be made of three different materials:
• neoprene  - for clean sea or fresh water
• nitrile - more resistant to oil
• composite - survive longer if run dry, but may swell if immersed in some types of anti-freeze.

 

Rubber Impeller damage from Marine Diesel Basics

Six Faults to Find in a Rubber Impeller

These six faults can cause an impeller to fail suddenly. An impeller must be removed from the pump to inspect it correctly - the faults may well be invisible when the impeller is compressed inside the pump.

Best practice is to replace the impeller if any of these faults are discovered - before the impeller fails, causing the engine to overheat.

Search for any pieces or a whole missing vane because they can block the flow of cooling water through the system.

Common places to find rubber pieces are: 1) inside the heat exchanger, 2) inside the raw water injection elbow on the exhaust.

Always carry on board at least one spare impeller - fit a new spare in the pump, to be sure it fits, and keep the other as the extra.

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