Replacing your D3 Volvo Penta impeller

Sound Hound

Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2013
Messages
14
Fluid Motion Model
C-26
Hull Identification Number
USFMLR2513J3
Vessel Name
Sound Hound
MMSI Number
367612560
Here is a DIY video I made when I did my Impeller replacement on our 2014 Ranger Tug 25SC. I also do a motor overview and offer advice on adjusting the stuffing box but.
https://youtu.be/5mMUDJ9c3zE
 
Keith:

This was an excellent instructional video showing the impeller replacement activities and the many useful tips. Well done, especially with the camera work. What camera was used, and what process did you use to speed up the screw removals ?

My only addition to your explanations would be to wash down the impeller pump housing with fresh water and any part of the engine that was exposed to the salt water running out when pulling the pulley off. This will help keep any salt water corrosion at bay.

Now, having owned a RT R-25 (Classic) with the Yanmar 4BY2-150 diesel and having done an impeller change out which took me several hours first time to do, your video is a reminder to me that I'm so thankful to not ever needing to do that work/activity ever again. It's simply a task that for me is best left for some other person to do. After my impeller change several years ago my arms were so torn up and badly bruised along with hours laying on my belly, that when my wife caught sight of me she was horrified.... and said... "why do you do that to yourself ?".... She had a good point. :lol:

With my RT R-27 Outboard model I do not have to worry about struggling with the inboard diesel engine with its very tight spaces for doing maintenance. Yea, I like to tinker, but honestly, impeller changing on the likes of an inboard diesel engine does not give me any comfort at all these days.

Again, a great video and I'm sure it will be very helpful to others who own the R-25SC.
 
Your video came at a perfect time. Yesterday I started on this project and got to the bit where I had to move the heater fuel pump. I undid the 4 screws but didn’t find the one underneath. I was waiting until Monday to get dealer advice but you have educated me!

One question. The instructions are to turn the bolt on the tensioner clockwise and you seem to start that way but shift to counterclockwise when you add the helper wrench. Is that just my imagination?

Thanks for a great video!
 
Nice work Keith! I’m impressed you were able to get close up video in such a tight space! Once I am in there I don’t think I could even get a camera in there, much less see that the image was right. Not sure how you held the camera!

I made a couple of modifications to make this easier that some may want to consider.

1) I cut the starboard you have to slide out into three pieces. This makes it so that I don’t have to go into the “cave” and remove any of the panels in there. One piece now stays secured in the back of the cave and the other two pieces come out through the opening under the step.

2) I added a quick disconnect to the electrical connection on the Webasto fuel pump so it can be removed from the space completely and reinstalled quickly.

These changes make the job much quicker with a lot less screws to lose! My last challenge is to get a pair of single focus glasses of the appropriate strength to see what I am doing in there. My progressive lenses make me have to crane my head to see so close up! :geek:

Thanks for taking the time to make such a great informative video!

Curt
 
Chimo":3uldwkil said:
Your video came at a perfect time. Yesterday I started on this project and got to the bit where I had to move the heater fuel pump. I undid the 4 screws but didn’t find the one underneath. I was waiting until Monday to get dealer advice but you have educated me!

One question. The instructions are to turn the bolt on the tensioner clockwise and you seem to start that way but shift to counterclockwise when you add the helper wrench. Is that just my imagination?

Thanks for a great video!

Hi Chimo,

Thanks for the positive comments. The pulley belt tensioner does rotate clockwise to relieve pressure on the belt. I see how it may appear the other way. I believe because I put the boxed end wrench on the ratchet drive handle but as you can see, I put downward pressure on the open end of that box end wrench. Best of luck in your impeller swap!
Keith
 
baz":1z4vokuz said:
Keith:

This was an excellent instructional video showing the impeller replacement activities and the many useful tips. Well done, especially with the camera work. What camera was used, and what process did you use to speed up the screw removals ?

My only addition to your explanations would be to wash down the impeller pump housing with fresh water and any part of the engine that was exposed to the salt water running out when pulling the pulley off. This will help keep any salt water corrosion at bay.

Now, having owned a RT R-25 (Classic) with the Yanmar 4BY2-150 diesel and having done an impeller change out which took me several hours first time to do, your video is a reminder to me that I'm so thankful to not ever needing to do that work/activity ever again. It's simply a task that for me is best left for some other person to do. After my impeller change several years ago my arms were so torn up and badly bruised along with hours laying on my belly, that when my wife caught sight of me she was horrified.... and said... "why do you do that to yourself ?".... She had a good point. :lol:

With my RT R-27 Outboard model I do not have to worry about struggling with the inboard diesel engine with its very tight spaces for doing maintenance. Yea, I like to tinker, but honestly, impeller changing on the likes of an inboard diesel engine does not give me any comfort at all these days.

Again, a great video and I'm sure it will be very helpful to others who own the R-25SC.

Hi Baz, Thanks for the positive comments. I used two cameras. I have a thin waterproof FujiFilm XP camera that I used to do most of the close in engine work. It does 1080p video as does my other Canon Powershot sx40. I used Corel Video Studio Pro 7 to do all the video editing which as an option to speed up clips.
Agreed about the rinsing if in salt water. I'm on the Multnomah slew in Columbia County Oregon so all fresh water here until you get out to the Columbia River bar in Astoria.
Yes, the outboards are easier access. I had two Bayliners and doing the lower unit maintenance was more challenging but much roomier.
Happy Cruising!
 
Red Raven":2c1py4ty said:
Nice work Keith! I’m impressed you were able to get close up video in such a tight space! Once I am in there I don’t think I could even get a camera in there, much less see that the image was right. Not sure how you held the camera!

I made a couple of modifications to make this easier that some may want to consider.

1) I cut the starboard you have to slide out into three pieces. This makes it so that I don’t have to go into the “cave” and remove any of the panels in there. One piece now stays secured in the back of the cave and the other two pieces come out through the opening under the step.

2) I added a quick disconnect to the electrical connection on the Webasto fuel pump so it can be removed from the space completely and reinstalled quickly.

These changes make the job much quicker with a lot less screws to lose! My last challenge is to get a pair of single focus glasses of the appropriate strength to see what I am doing in there. My progressive lenses make me have to crane my head to see so close up! :geek:

Thanks for taking the time to make such a great informative video!

Curt

Hi Curt,
Thanks for the positive comments. If you can, post or send pictures of how you pieced out the engine wall board. I'd be interested in seeing what you did. That sounds like a great time saver. Wish I could help with the vision thing, my vision is becoming challenging these days. It's God's gift for our wives, we guys aren't getting any better looking as we age so close up, it smooths out the wrinkles a bit. :shock:
Keith
 
Keith,

Thanks for posting the video. You made it look easy. I plan on doing mine this coming spring before it is launched. This cleared up questions I had on differences between the R27 video that the RT factory produced and impeller change out on the RT25SC. I don’t have the heater pump so that will not be in my way.

Thanks again,

Richard
 
Great video Keith. Anyone who has a Volvo should be saving this one. I have the Yanmar that has 4 bolts holding the pump and I go through the openings in the pulley to get to them, looks like Volvo gave you a bit more room. I modified the step to enlarge the opening which makes working in there a lot easier, there are pics in my album. Nice hat by the way 😀
 
Keith, thank you for taking the time to make a video of your impeller change. If a photo is worth a thousand words then your video must be worth 10,000! Nice job. By the way I see you have a fire extinguisher mounted in your cave. If this is a Kidde make sure to check their recall list, unless you already have.

Thanks again,

Jim
 
Nicely done video. I own neither a 25SC nor a Volvo engine and I enjoyed it. Now I don't feel so bad about working on my 25 classic 😀

I guess no matter how you configure it, jamming all of the equipment and functions of a 40ft boat into 25ft just doesn't leave much room.

Maybe I'll make a video for changing the impeller on the Cummins in a 25 classic. Easy video to make. Just lay the video camera on the deck facing the side of the step/hatch over the generator compartment and let it run for a couple of hours. I mean after all that's all you can see while laying on your side reaching with one hand up forward to reach the water pump . The audio would be the most interesting part what with the expletives and all...

All joking aside, neither configuration lends itself to changing out a failed impeller in a hurry. Considering that it is the most likely on-water repair one would ever have to make it's a bit disconcerting how long it takes to do what is (mechanically) a relatively simple task. One advantage I do see to the Volvo design is that once things are apart it is a lot easier to get the impeller changed. And to overhaul the pump if necessary.
 
trailertrawlerkismet":3m1sigx8 said:
Keith, thank you for taking the time to make a video of your impeller change. If a photo is worth a thousand words then your video must be worth 10,000! Nice job. By the way I see you have a fire extinguisher mounted in your cave. If this is a Kidde make sure to check their recall list, unless you already have.

Thanks again,

Jim

Jim,

Thanks for the note on the Kiddie extinguishers. I'll look into that.

Keith
 
NorthernFocus":ix7rjp3o said:
Nicely done video. I own neither a 25SC nor a Volvo engine and I enjoyed it. Now I don't feel so bad about working on my 25 classic 😀

I guess no matter how you configure it, jamming all of the equipment and functions of a 40ft boat into 25ft just doesn't leave much room.

Maybe I'll make a video for changing the impeller on the Cummins in a 25 classic. Easy video to make. Just lay the video camera on the deck facing the side of the step/hatch over the generator compartment and let it run for a couple of hours. I mean after all that's all you can see while laying on your side reaching with one hand up forward to reach the water pump . The audio would be the most interesting part what with the expletives and all...

All joking aside, neither configuration lends itself to changing out a failed impeller in a hurry. Considering that it is the most likely on-water repair one would ever have to make it's a bit disconcerting how long it takes to do what is (mechanically) a relatively simple task. One advantage I do see to the Volvo design is that once things are apart it is a lot easier to get the impeller changed. And to overhaul the pump if necessary.

Dan,
Thanks for the kind words. Agreed, impellers should be much more accessible for an emergency change. I can't imaging doing this in rough seas with an overheating motor. I have a sea anchor to keep the nose into the wind to steady her should that need arise. That comes from our sailing days.
By the way, amazing photography! I'd be interested in what gear you use for your wildlife photos. Your composition is fantastic.

Keith
 
dclagett":3mmx29o0 said:
Keith,

Thanks for posting the video. You made it look easy. I plan on doing mine this coming spring before it is launched. This cleared up questions I had on differences between the R27 video that the RT factory produced and impeller change out on the RT25SC. I don’t have the heater pump so that will not be in my way.

Thanks again,

Richard

Richard, Thanks for the positive comments. Hope your impeller swap goes without a hitch.

Keith
 
Sound Hound":3c3xbdnd said:
Hi Curt,
Thanks for the positive comments. If you can, post or send pictures of how you pieced out the engine wall board. I'd be interested in seeing what you did. That sounds like a great time saver. Wish I could help with the vision thing, my vision is becoming challenging these days. It's God's gift for our wives, we guys aren't getting any better looking as we age so close up, it smooths out the wrinkles a bit. :shock:
Keith

Hi Keith,
Here are the photos of the modification to the white starboard access panel under the step. I forgot I was able to actually do it in two pieces and not three. My plan had been to cut it in three pieces to be able to take two of them out through the step opening and leave the one piece fix in place in the cave. One cut at 45 degrees into two pieces was sufficient. The long peice inside comes out with no problem once the Webasto pump is removed. The cut was made at 45 degrees to make for better fit for support and noise etc. It is now only held in place by the base plate screws and fits tight back against the 45 degree cut.

The credit goes to knotflying for this idea.

Curt


 
Great Video, I will reference when I complete my own impeller replacement, looking at the condition of the old impeller was this just routine maintenance ?
 
Red Raven":1k6934vm said:
Sound Hound":1k6934vm said:
Hi Curt,
Thanks for the positive comments. If you can, post or send pictures of how you pieced out the engine wall board. I'd be interested in seeing what you did. That sounds like a great time saver. Wish I could help with the vision thing, my vision is becoming challenging these days. It's God's gift for our wives, we guys aren't getting any better looking as we age so close up, it smooths out the wrinkles a bit. :shock:
Keith

Hi Keith,
Here are the photos of the modification to the white starboard access panel under the step. I forgot I was able to actually do it in two pieces and not three. My plan had been to cut it in three pieces to be able to take two of them out through the step opening and leave the one piece fix in place in the cave. One cut at 45 degrees into two pieces was sufficient. The long peice inside comes out with no problem once the Webasto pump is removed. The cut was made at 45 degrees to make for better fit for support and noise etc. It is now only held in place by the base plate screws and fits tight back against the 45 degree cut.

The credit goes to knotflying for this idea.

Curt



Thanks for the posting the images Curt. Nice work!
 
Have just registered to say thank you for the video 😀 It helped me a lot, just on time.
 
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