this might explain it?

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Originally Posted by wbeadlescomb

Yours is pretty much the same motor as mine except mines an 2000 or 2001. It wouldn't hurt to change it. It's only about a 30-45 minute job. There's 4 bolts you can see. Unscrew the linkage and a nut right above the prop. There's a couple good YouTube videos on doing it

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Haven't thought about youtube. I have looked at DYIing it and decided against. DP

It might be alright? :Rofl

That's why I change mine every year. It's easy to do and just good insurance.

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Originally Posted by DRPEPPER

Haven't thought about youtube. I have looked at DYIing it and decided against. DP

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It's super easy to do man.

Most marine mechanics will recommend that you change them every 2 years or so

I have a 115 merc 4stroke. I went 10 years before changing the impeller and timing belt. The impeller had small cracks in the body. I will change the next time at 5 years for the impeller the timing belt can go 10 easy.

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Originally Posted by armyman

I was told by an outboard mechanic that I use, that it only takes 6 seconds running an outboard out of water to burn up a water impeller.

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And he is correct