How to change a Mercruiser impeller?

2000 and its still got the original impeller?

them aplha ones are nicely done, but thats still amazing if you have actually been using it every year.

impeller is in the drive.

two ways to get at it, i am only going to share the easier way.

either way, start with draining the drive lube. you will need a pump as the drive must be filled from the bottom and pumped up til it reaches the overflow, they make cheap pumps that go directly onto the quart bottles.

1. just drop the lower half of the drive.

put in forward gear, this makes it easier to reinstall later.

remove all the bolts, there are probably ones hiding behind the anode plate above the prop.

wiggle it a bit and let it drop out.

unbolt the pump, pay careful attention to how the gaskets and everythingare so you can put it back that way.

lube the new impeller, a liquid hand soap works well.

reinstall it, make sure to get the key properly engaged on the shaft and impeller.

on the front of the lower unit you will see a moveable lever, in foward gear it should be pointing straight inline with the prop. make sure its pointing there as you slide the lower unit back in, you will probably need to turn the prop (backwards) to get the drive shaft splines to engage in the motor.

as this is the easier way the upper unit stays on the boat. you wont need to worry about its gaskets and seals, but you cant inspect many things. ecven if you knew what to look for.