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4.5L B3 impeller change DIY

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 8:34 pm
by VintageRacer
Anyone here have the 4.5L Merc and performed their own impeller change? I cannot seem to find any current videos on it anywhere. I ask, as I thought I might try it myself-and make it an every other year thing-safety first, you know! But, With my boat stored now, I cannot even go look to see if it is accessible and worth trying. Any pictures?

Re: 4.5L B3 impeller change DIY

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2021 11:20 pm
by bruceb58
My suggestion...buy the Mercruiser service manual for your engine. I bought my manuals even before I picked up my boat. For my engine, a 2017 6.2L(Mercruiser engine...not GM) the instructions in the manual seem very straight forward.

BTW, your 4.5L has the exact same style water pump as mine. Likely even the same kit.


Re: 4.5L B3 impeller change DIY

Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 10:08 am
by rabiddawg
I would change it EVERY year. On my old Malibu I skipped a year and sure enough it failed while on Greers ferry. Idled it in and luckily picked one up in Heber Springs.

Re: 4.5L B3 impeller change DIY

Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 11:44 am
by bruceb58
rabiddawg wrote: Sun Jan 17, 2021 10:08 am I would change it EVERY year. On my old Malibu I skipped a year and sure enough it failed while on Greers ferry. Idled it in and luckily picked one up in Heber Springs.
I change mine every other year but since I just picked up this boat, I will likely change it even though previous owner did it last year.

Re: 4.5L B3 impeller change DIY

Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 9:24 pm
by dogwspts
Should be ok they are a pain to get to.
At least on my 220s

Re: 4.5L B3 impeller change DIY

Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 9:37 pm
by bruceb58
dogwspts wrote: Sun Jan 17, 2021 9:24 pm Should be ok they are a pain to get to.
At least on my 220s
Mine is SUPER easy. Just looked at it today. Wish everything was this easy to get too. That's the thing I love about this R5. One of the easiest boats I have owned to work on since my whole body can fit in the engine compartment.

Re: 4.5L B3 impeller change DIY

Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2021 3:59 pm
by dogwspts
What is your top speed with this engine.

Re: 4.5L B3 impeller change DIY

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:09 pm
by VintageRacer
dogwspts wrote: Tue Jan 19, 2021 3:59 pm What is your top speed with this engine.
I only had my boat out 3x before I had to put her away for the winter-Gauge showed me 53 mph with just two of us in the boat.

Also-Thanks for the info- bruceb58, I found a manual on ebay for the 4.5L and bought it.

Re: 4.5L B3 impeller change DIY

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 6:55 pm
by bruceb58
VintageRacer wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:09 pmAlso-Thanks for the info- bruceb58, I found a manual on ebay for the 4.5L and bought it.
I have an impeller kit coming from PartsVu. They have it for a little over $50.

Re: 4.5L B3 impeller change DIY

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 7:26 pm
by Big Block Power
bruceb58 wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 6:55 pm
VintageRacer wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:09 pmAlso-Thanks for the info- bruceb58, I found a manual on ebay for the 4.5L and bought it.
I have an impeller kit coming from PartsVu. They have it for a little over $50.
Is it a merc kit?

Re: 4.5L B3 impeller change DIY

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:14 pm
by bruceb58
Big Block Power wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 7:26 pm
bruceb58 wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 6:55 pm
VintageRacer wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:09 pmAlso-Thanks for the info- bruceb58, I found a manual on ebay for the 4.5L and bought it.
I have an impeller kit coming from PartsVu. They have it for a little over $50.
Is it a merc kit?
Absolutely...wouldn't use anything else.

Looks like they raised their price to $61.26

https://www.partsvu.com/impeller-kit-98-8m0137220.html

Re: 4.5L B3 impeller change DIY

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:34 pm
by Big Block Power
bruceb58 wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:14 pm
Big Block Power wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 7:26 pm
bruceb58 wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 6:55 pm I have an impeller kit coming from PartsVu. They have it for a little over $50.
Is it a merc kit?
Absolutely...wouldn't use anything else.

Looks like they raised their price to $61.26

https://www.partsvu.com/impeller-kit-98-8m0137220.html
Good thanks!

Re: 4.5L B3 impeller change DIY

Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:38 pm
by bruceb58
Big Block Power wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:34 pm
Good thanks!
I very very rarely ever use anything but OEM parts. Not worth it.

An example of a non OEM part I use would be a Wix oil filter.

Re: 4.5L B3 impeller change DIY

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 6:17 am
by Big Block Power
bruceb58 wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:38 pm
Big Block Power wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:34 pm
Good thanks!
I very very rarely ever use anything but OEM parts. Not worth it.

An example of a non OEM part I use would be a Wix oil filter.
I wouldn't even use that. Lol

I used the mercury marine racing oil filter on my merc. I figured If it was good enough for their race engines it's good enough foe mine. Same with kendall oil 😂😂😂

Re: 4.5L B3 impeller change DIY

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2021 7:24 am
by AsLan7
Big Block Power wrote: Thu Jan 28, 2021 6:17 am
bruceb58 wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 10:38 pm
Big Block Power wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 8:34 pm
Good thanks!
I very very rarely ever use anything but OEM parts. Not worth it.

An example of a non OEM part I use would be a Wix oil filter.
I wouldn't even use that. Lol

I used the mercury marine racing oil filter on my merc. I figured If it was good enough for their race engines it's good enough foe mine. Same with kendall oil 😂😂😂
.
Just make sure the taller racing filters don't impede with the engine hatch for those filters that our mounted upside down!

.