impellers OEM / Non OEM?

mattwarner · 05 March 2018, 14:49

So, I have a Tohatsu 90hp 2 stroke which I need to replace the impeller on before the season starts, I only purchased this engine recently and is a 1995 year.

Up until now I have always used OEM parts on my outboards and never had an issue although change yearly as part of my pre-season service routine and I don't do hundreds of hours during the season.

The cost of a genuine impeller (not the kit just the impeller) is £45 compared to £15 for a non gen part from the likes of Pacer Marine, this is way more than I have paid in the past and hence considering going non-oem but welcome feedback?

A1an · 05 March 2018, 16:22

I had a non oem impeller throw all but one of its fins on me half way through the fishing season on a 15hp Honda.

Always bought genuine after that. I'm a bit belt and braces, I change mine every season. Always have.

They MAY not be any better but its piece of mind for me.

matt h · 05 March 2018, 17:03

Genuine all the way. Buy cheap buy twice.

beamishken · 05 March 2018, 17:53

I use copies on my 6lps cost me £6.00 genuine are over £40 never had a problem and I don't mind throwing 12 quid away every season but chucking £80quid away would leave a bit of a bad taste

willk · 05 March 2018, 18:55

oooooookaaaaaay - here I go.....

I buy original impellers and I change them every two or three seasons - based on hours run and a visual inspection. Lotta feckers never bother changing the damn things so I figure I still show mine some love. I have one that I pulled out of the Yanmar after 3 seasons and there's barely deflection on the vanes - and otherwise visually perfect. It doesn't seem any less flexible now either but it was "time".

Right, I'll just pop over and stand in front of the pile of coconuts shall I?

The Black Pig · 05 March 2018, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattwarner

So, I have a Tohatsu 90hp 2 stroke which I need to replace the impeller on before the season starts, I only purchased this engine recently and is a 1995 year.

Up until now I have always used OEM parts on my outboards and never had an issue although change yearly as part of my pre-season service routine and I don't do hundreds of hours during the season.

The cost of a genuine impeller (not the kit just the impeller) is £45 compared to £15 for a non gen part from the likes of Pacer Marine, this is way more than I have paid in the past and hence considering going non-oem but welcome feedback?

How much do you value your time?

An impeller change will take a couple of hours if you know what your doing and it’s a fiddly job

You need to replace seals,oil and possibly a drain plug

For the £30 difference it’s a no brainer

willk · 05 March 2018, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Black Pig

An impeller change will take a couple of hours if you know what your doing and it’s a fiddly job

You need to replace seals,oil and possibly a drain plug

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess you haven't actually done this job yourself?

The Black Pig · 05 March 2018, 20:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess you haven't actually done this job yourself?

It’s a very weak limb

spartacus · 05 March 2018, 20:09

Genuine Tohatsu every time. I change them every 2 years on my Tohatsu 60hp and they always look as good as the one you're away to replace it with. I keep them as a back-up.

I like to think of it as peace if mind. With outboards you want the certainty that the impeller is doing its job, and you're not likely to experience premature failure.

It's a bit like doing the water pump on your car. You're not going to go to tha hassle of putting the car into service position, drain the coolant and remove the timing belt and tensioner to fit a cheap pattern part of unknown origin.

willk · 05 March 2018, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Black Pig

It’s a very weak limb

Swingin' in the breeze - that's me.

I've never had to open a gear-case to change an impeller. Maybe I was lucky.

The Black Pig · 05 March 2018, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Swingin' in the breeze - that's me.

I've never had to open a gear-case to change an impeller. Maybe I was lucky.

I’ve never had to solely swap an impeller Maybe I was unlucky

jwalker · 05 March 2018, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

oooooookaaaaaay - here I go.....

I buy original impellers and I change them every two or three seasons - based on hours run and a visual inspection. Lotta feckers never bother changing the damn things so I figure I still show mine some love. I have one that I pulled out of the Yanmar after 3 seasons and there's barely deflection on the vanes - and otherwise visually perfect. It doesn't seem any less flexible now either but it was "time".

Right, I'll just pop over and stand in front of the pile of coconuts shall I?

I'm kinda like that too but I've used non-OEM and they came out looking every bit as good as the original ones so I'm happy to use them.

jambo · 06 March 2018, 00:40

Okay so it seems there’s not going to be any resolution here [emoji56]

69cmw · 06 March 2018, 06:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambo

Okay so it seems there’s not going to be any resolution here [emoji56]

You surprised 🤣🤣🤣

beamishken · 06 March 2018, 07:07

[QUOTE=spartacus;

It's a bit like doing the water pump on your car. You're not going to go to tha hassle of putting the car into service position, drain the coolant and remove the timing belt and tensioner to fit a cheap pattern part of unknown origin.

[/QUOTE]

I think you'll find that outside the main dealer network garages fit predominantly pattern parts. maybe good quality pattern but definately not dealer branded.
I ran a garage 25 years and rarely are genuine parts used if copies are available. Pattern parts are pretty much universally used outside the dealerships.
Many pattern part suppliers are OE suppliers in any case so your actually fitting the same part as the branded part without the price hike
Motor manufacturers don't usually make their own consumable parts in any case

jambo · 06 March 2018, 08:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69cmw

You surprised 🤣🤣🤣

Not at all. I just could not resist [emoji56]🤣

mattwarner · 06 March 2018, 08:20

Thanks guys for your input, I think I am going to stick with OEM at the end of the day an extra £30 is nothing in the grand scheme of things and its one less thing to potentially worry about

jambo · 06 March 2018, 08:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattwarner

Thanks guys for your input, I think I am going to stick with OEM at the end of the day an extra £30 is nothing in the grand scheme of things and its one less thing to potentially worry about

Got to agree with you £30 over the year is nothing.