Stripped Seawater Pump Bolts

[Lone Star Ranger]

So this past weekend I wanted to try to tackle the job of replacing the impeller on my own (with the help of my wife, Tracey) since I didn't have it done last year. 😱 I had a local marine shop in Annapolis replace it (or so I thought) in 2013.

So I'm going thru the steps of removing the panels in the "cave" to gain access to the front of the engine, and removing the face plate on the step so I can at least get one shoulder in and see what I need to do. Tracey and I removed the belt, and I start loosening the 4 bolts to remove the seawater pump. Of the four bolts, I can loosen the top bolts on the left and right side, as I try to remove the bolt on the lower left side, I realize that the bolt is stripped. I can't get my 6mm hex head to loosen the bolt because it won't hold on the bolt. :shock:

That's when I realize that I don't think the local shop actually changed my impeller in 2013, because had they been able to, the bolt shouldn't have been stripped; otherwise, how did they get the bolt back on? :x

So my question is, what do you recommend I do to get that bolt out? Normally, I would use a screw/bolt extractor, but that requires a drill, and we both know there's no room for a drill.

I'm sure I'm not the only tug owner who has encountered this issue, what advice/guidance can anyone provide. :cry:

 

[Osprey]

Is it possible to remove the whole pump assembly? I seem to recall that some time back a post suggested that this was an option for easier impellor service.

 

[DBBRanger]

How about a pair of vise grip pliers?

 

[Longbranch Louie]

They sell various stripped bolt extractor sockets. Craftsman for one. Autozone website has them too. I believe they have a tapered cutting edge inside the socket that cuts into the head. I would bet Harbor freight has something too.

 

[Boatagain]

Take heart John, maybe they stripped the bolt after they changed the impeller?

No room for a full size drill, but how about a Dremel. If so you can use a small cut-off wheel to machine a slot for a flat bladed screwdriver. My 2 cents.

 

[etcwade]

John,

Just had my impeller replaced and under same circumstance, one of the four bolts had the head stripped. The pump had to be remove from the engine (attached to a bracket held by three bolts). These bolts are M8 80mm external torx. The removal is not difficult and does make replacing the impeller easier. There is another upside, you have the opportunity to inspect pump, housing, shaft, shaft seal, and o-ring, my shaft seal showed signs of a previous leak.

In the end it was quite the learning experience.

Gary

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

John, we've all received some good advice here concerning your impeller situation. Let us know what you finally do to resolve the issue. Not knowing if the stripped bolt was done after an impeller was changed out or not one thing all of us can do in the future (for those that have there impeller changed out professionally) is to always get the used impeller returned to us. At least this way we'll know for sure it was changed and of course we can personally inspect it's condition.

Jim

 

[Lone Star Ranger]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'll have to do some research to see if I have the time (or patience) to find a smaller drill to use an extractor or just remove the pump. Either way I will definitely let everyone know.

 

[bails023]

If you are concerned about the trustworthiness of the shop, unless you watched them do the work, you might also be concerned about the old impeller they show you. Could or could not be the impeller from your boat.

 

[knotflying]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'll have to do some research to see if I have the time (or patience) to find a smaller drill to use an extractor or just remove the pump. Either way I will definitely let everyone know.

I would go the vice grip or other passive method of removal before I would go the extractor method. Once you start drilling and using extractors it is a path of little options.