Renegade trip to Cobb Island. Weather actually nice for July. Bike riding and good meals. We start for home on Sunday at 2 pm. The trip should take no more than 2 hours. We have plenty of time. Out in the middle of the Potomac, we both hear the starboard engine change pitch and get more "throaty." A quick glance at the temperature gauge shows that the temperature is climbing and a quick look at the exhaust shows a decreased water flow. Back up to clear a bag in the intake-no joy. Cycle the through hull-no joy. Check the strainer-plenty of water. Check the bilge-no water shooting up.
We are basically hosed big time. Turn off starboard engine and decide to head home on one engine at 6 knots. Frantically read the maintenance log to find out when we changed the impellers last. Four years ago. Get out!
The trip turned out to be 7 hours and we arrived around 9. Turned on the engine to dock and now no water. Three days later we replace the water pumps as documented here.
The moral of the story: Replace your impellers every other year on the Potomac.
Master Mechanic begins removal of delicate water pump assembly
Master Mechanic cursing and hacking while looking for socket wrench (nice butt!)
Water pump and part of destroyed impeller (nice gut!)
Master Mechanic and apprentice disassemble the pump
No wonder the mimosas were lumpy
Old impeller with a few pieces missing (were later found in the bilge and by back flushing the transmission cooler)
Apprentice lubricates the new impeller blades with Vaseline or KY jelly (whatever he carries)
This is how it should look