Our Beta 6, new 2014, ran perfectly for its first year. Very pleased with it.
I just got back on board after 7 month winter layup.
The impeller was VERY difficult to get out with the standard twin screwdriver technique. Do any uses think it is worth buying the $100 Jabsco impeller puller?
The blades were very distorted when pulled, but have partly straightened out lying on the shelf for 24 hours.
Question is, should I reuse it?
I have a spare impeller purchased form Beta, and also a Jabsco impeller that is dimensionally identical, but with rather more flexible blades. Which one will be better?
It shouldn't matter which one you use. However, two suggestions: first, as you have discovered, the impeller takes a set from sitting unmoved in the pump for months. If you are not going to run the engine for several months, remove the impeller. Second, consider coating the inside of the impeller where it slides onto the pump shaft with some anti-seize compound. I use TefGel. You want that impeller to be easy to remove. consider how it would be to try to change it in adverse conditions if you couldn't get the impeller off easily.
Be sure to inspect the impeller carefully before re-installing. Look for cracks on the fins, make sure it is still flexible, etc. And caution with using metal tools if they touch the surface of the pump. Any scratches or dings will cause a leak or allow the pump to suck air. Go to Harbor Freight and buy needle nose pliers with the tips pre-bent at 90 degrees for grabbing the impeller if you don't want to buy the special tool. Again, inspect, inspect.
