lube new impeller or not?

[SlackwaterJack]

I've never thought about it in the past, but while changing my raw water impeller today I thought,"shouldn't I lube this thing?" After all, it will be spinning dry until it pulls water up to itself on the initial use. But what to use?? lithium? motor oil?, WD40?, dry teflon?, or is it no big deal and just run it dry as it primes?

 

[tuggertoy]

Hey Alex,

When I replaced the impeller on Tugger Toy last Fall the new impeller came with a little tube of lubricant which is basically just glycerin. Nigel Calder says to use glycerin or dishwashing liquid. My theory, however, is that both of these products are water soluble and will just wash off after the first few revolutions of the impeller. In my years of work experience in different fields, I have come to learn that petroleum based greases and lubes are detrimental to the life of any rubber components. Silicone Grease, however, is very friendly to rubber parts and is widely used to lubricate plumbing parts like rubber packing and o-rings. As I replaced my impeller at the end of the season and knew that it would not see water for several months, I gave it a moderate coating of silicone grease and have had no problems since we splashed the boat for this season.

So I guess the answer is stick with the widely used glycerin or give the silicone grease a shot. You can find small tubes of the silicone grease at most auto parts stores as it is frequently used to lubricate the boots on spark plug wires to keep the rubber boot from welding itself to the ceramic neck of the spark plug.

Eric

 

[wefings]

Silicone grease is also available at plumbing supply stores and is pretty impervious to saltwater and chemicals as well . Back when I was in the pool and spa business it was the lube of choice for all things rubber,especially O rings .
Marc

 

[SlackwaterJack]

Thanks guys, it looks like the choice is silcone grease.

ya think I woulda thought of it...used to be in the pool service biz myself (in La Jolla Ca. sold it almost 15 years ago)
I apparently sold my silcone grease and the memory of it with the pool biz...now, if I can only remember what my wife wanted me to pick up at the store and where I left the 13mm wrench....

 

[wefings]

Its right next to the 1/2 " wrench !
Marc

 

[SlackwaterJack]

Marc,
That's where it was...how did you know 😱 .

I was afraid it was lost forever, like most of my hair, a flat belly, and the ability to carry my wife up a flight of stairs (not entirely my fault !) 😉

 

[TonyM]

I haven't changed my impeller on my Ranger 25SC yet, but this is what I did on my sailboat. I was also able to remove a plug in the pump and prime it.
Lubing the impeller with a water-based lubricant or mild liquid soap detergent is always a good idea.
Use silicon grease on gaskets and O-rings.
I use a little Di-electric grease on the cover fasteners. (Scotch Copper-Coat)
Happy Tugging

Tony M