impeller removal tool

[bcbristoll]

Can anyone recommend a impeller removal tool for an atomic4.

Thanks in advance.

[Graham]

If you are removing it and replacing it with a new one. That is to say, you are not worried about damaging it... just use a pair of needle nose pliers. Needle nose pliers are what I use every spring to pull and inspect my impeller. The only time I damaged an impeller was the first time I pulled one out, and it was well on it's way to falling apart anyway.

[tenders]

In my opinion the objective is to get the impeller off WITHOUT removing the shaft, to protect the integrity of the two rubber seals that keep water out of the crankcase. If you just yank the impeller out with pliers, that shaft will come out too.

Needlenose pliers will work if you've got the circlip or snap ring off the shaft that retains the impeller (and the installation of which may not be necessary). You can finangle that little thing off with a screwdriver, but the master mechanic has a cheap set of snap ring pliers for the job. Once that's off, you may well be able to tug the impeller off the shaft with your fingers.

This is one of those situations where Harbor Freight quality is probably more than adequate for the job. Five bucks.

https://www.harborfreight.com/snap-ring-pliers-with-interchangeable-heads-63845.html

[Graham]

tenders makes a good point. I've always pulled the impeller out with the shaft still attached. If you have room to use the tool he suggests that may be a better plan of action.

[Sam]

I carefully use small needle nose pliers and gently pull on different fins with shaft attached. I do this prior to every winter layup. I would suggest that you deburr or round off all sharp shaft edges and lubricate to facilitate ease of replacement and bushing/seal integrity in the spring. I bought the proper snap ring pliers on the Moyer site sometime ago - kind of recall there were two different sizes not interchangeable depending on the pump?? Never thought about removing the snap ring/impellor without the shaft on a mounted pump - sounds beneficial.. just need some good lighting, vision, maybe a drink and a steady hand.

[CajunSpike]

I just changed the impeller on my boat. The tight fit of the impeller center onto the shaft made it impossible to remove the impellor without also pulling the shaft. I had to destroy the rubber to get to the impeller center part, and tap/beat it off the shaft. In this case its pretty much impossible to get the impeller off the shaft simply by pulling it. The new impeller also had to be tapped gently back onto the shaft.

[bcbristoll]

Hi everyone and thanks for all the responses.
I tried taking out the old impeller with a bent needle nose and gave up after 20 minutes or so. The water pump is at the back of the engine and in my opinion impossible to pull off with just a pliers. I did order an impeller puller and I'll report back with how it works.

[tenders]

With that setup, you might want to take the pump off the engine (the "extendo bolt" is a huge help in doing this, once you've taken it off once; until then you'll probably need a really deep socket to get at the lower bolt) and deal with the pump faceplate, the impeller circlip, the shaft, the impeller, and the seals in the comfort of the cabin (or your home).

Then reinstall the pump needing just the two bolts and the gasket while you're sprawled over the engine.

[ArtJ]

I just changed the impeller on my boat. The tight fit of the impeller center onto the shaft made it impossible to remove the impellor without also pulling the shaft. I had to destroy the rubber to get to the impeller center part, and tap/beat it off the shaft. In this case its pretty much impossible to get the impeller off the shaft simply by pulling it. The new impeller also had to be tapped gently back onto the shaft.

Don Moyer has designed a puller for this purpose under cooling see catalog

[joe_db]

I always just grabbed it with my fingers and the shaft would come out too.

[Ando]

I ordered the puller from MMI just recently. It worked. Note: The transmission lever (the one attached to the engine) interferes with the tool being parallel with the impeller, even with the shift lever in the reverse position, so I had to have the puller at a bit of an angle. But it worked.

[ArtJ]

I always just grabbed it with my fingers and the shaft would come out too.

i have had a expernce recently where the impeller would not come out
even with plers had to remove by heavy force use of ball peen hammer on bench.
The pump may have had leak for long time. Not my usual experience but happened and peened and destroyed shaft