Impeller on the R27

[pugtug613]

It's that time again. I haul the boat this week for the winter (Boo-Hoo) :cry:
Looking at the access to the water pump. It doesn't look that bad?? That piece of fiberglass across the front of the engine. It is a pretty substantial thickness, maybe 1/2 or so. I am assuming one should NOT cut that. It looks like some sort of overall support. Does it come off somehow? It would make changing the impeller very simple, if it did.

Also, where is the belt tensioner? I really don't want to force the belt off like the tread for the R25 states. Those serpentine belts have a spring loaded tensioner that can be held over with a wrench while the belt is slipped right off.

I don't see any mention of this in the owners manual. Is there a "shop manual" available?

Chester

 

[knotflying]

I did a post about a year and a half ago with step by step details on replacing the impeller. See if you can find it in a search. If not PM me and I will send it to you. We are traveling on the Tenn-Tom so wifi is scarce so it may be a few days before I get it to you if you need it.

 

[Kenny Marrs]

Hello Chester,

You are correct, do NOT cut that board (it's plastic with sound foam on one side, not fiberglass). It will actually unscrew and slide out into the mid ship. You'll have square heads screws on either side of the step you'll need to remove first. Once all of the screws are removed you can move the entire board, including the sound foam to the port. This will open up a ton of access to the front of the engine compartment.

On page 98 of the Volvo manual it walks you through step by step how to replace the impeller. The tensioner is just to the port of the water pump housing.

Hope this helps.

Thanks,
-Kenny

 

[pugtug613]

Actually, I have a Yanmar. I'll check for those screws, thanx

To knotflying..... I have a step by step, but it's for the R25. I'll check passed posts again. Thanx

 

[pugtug613]

OK knotflying, I found your step by step. Very nice, but there has to be a better way to remove that belt. Can't you take the tension off the belt? I never knew about that access panel. That's good info
Thanx again

 

[HRowland]

It is a stretch fit belt, no tensioner is used. I used a thin screwdriver to start the belt off of the pulls while turning the crankshaft with a socket wrench. Be carefull not to crack the edge of the pully.

Also note that you can do the whole job from the cabin side, I did mine solo this way. I found this easier than reaching around the engine from the cockpit. I removed and reinstalled the belt through the opening in the cave. The actual impeller change was done through the small hatch under the step. If you remove the hatch frame you get a bit more clearance.

Some owners have modified the step to provide better access, this would make the job much easier.

Howard

 

[knotflying]

The belt comes off and goes on fairly easily. Just make sure you have all of the groves aligned properly.