Impeller Replacement Lubricant?

[gbanker]

I am going to replace the impeller on my generator. If you don't have the "recommended" lubricant what can yon substitute to use on a new impeller so that it doesn't burn up before water gets to it? Thanks

[Maine Sail]

Glycerin, any drug or grocery store should have it. One bottle will last a lifetime...

[a64pilot]

Gee, I've always used plain ole liquid dish soap, seems to work.

[appick]

Dish soap here too, or Sil-glide, a clear waterproof silicone grease. It's great for head pump gaskets rings ect, lubricating old stove pressure pumps, really for use on any orings ect. It helps protect the rubber. It can be found in any auto parts store.

[Hoofsmit]

Silicon grease or spray worked well and won't rot the rubber if left without water run through for a while. I used it for several seasons when winterising on the hard, saves having to remove the impeller

[capt-couillon]

Castrol or Girling "Red Rubber Grease" ...

No issues with possibly degrading the impeller regardless of the compounding used for manufacture. Petroleum based lubes can cause hardening and cracking of some rubber compounds, especially in non-OEM impellers.

[marlinmike]

Dawn dish soap

[Lake-Effect]

When I worked with a mechanic, we only carried synthetic marine grease, which was alleged to be safe for plastics. We'd give the impeller vanes and/or housing a very light wipe of grease before installing. The impeller check/replace was done as part of the spring pre-launch service, so we know the impellor will go into proper (wet) service fairly soon, and any grease will get washed away anyway.

[Dsanduril]

Originally Posted by Maine Sail

Glycerin, any drug or grocery store should have it. One bottle will last a lifetime...

+1

Most of the impellers I've bought recently come with a little tube of glycerin. I've used the soap and the silicone grease approaches, but given that glycerin is what the impeller manufacturers seem to provide/recommend, and that it is cheap and readily available...

[SailorHarry]

What ever you use, do not use a petroleum-based lubricant unless the instructions that come with your new impeller speciifically say it is ok. Glycerine works well, if you can find some. Everyone can find KY "personal lubricant" and you probably have some nearby. It works wonders on impellers and installing hoses, and it surely will not harm anything.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by SailorHarry

Everyone can find KY "personal lubricant" and you probably have some nearby. It works wonders on impellers and installing hoses, and it surely will not harm anything.

Slick.

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by SailorHarry

....... Everyone can find KY "personal lubricant" and you probably have some nearby. It works wonders on impellers and installing hoses, and it surely will not harm anything.

'excellent advice,- and many of us have a conditioned response to find this as a positive choice! You might as well whistle while you work!

[thomm225]

If you have nothing else on hand, I'm thinking your KY natural feeling Liquid would probably work as well.

[jeepbluetj]

pffffft. Don't use KY... Use Astroglide or Body Butter! - Leads to much better conversations about why that's on the boat.

I used silicone spray last outdrive I did. Pretty much anything slippery and not petro. Cooking oil will likely work. The ones for my A4 come with the glycerin stuff.

[mariner36bob]

Body butter