GT-40 Winterizing - lesson learned (impeller)

I may go BEYOND what is necessary for winter layup..but after I but Sta-bil in my gas tank, and fog my engine, I drain all the water out...then I pour -75F antifreeze into the thermostat hose, and watch until it starts coming out both engine drain ports on each side, and the exhaust manfolds, AND the drain port at the bottom elbow under the raw water pump. Once I can see "red" I let some continue to drain for a few more seconds, then close them up. I remove my rubber water impeller, rub it down with just a little silicone "o ring" grease. and put it in a plastic bag, and hang if from the raw water pump for the winter. In the spring when I go to open the boat up, I will re-install the impeller, tighten the belts, check all hoses and connections and go from there. Has worked for me now for several years.

Out here in the West where our Summers are long and 90-100 degrees is normal for 4-5 months each year I find the impeller needs to be changed every other year to keep from having failure.
One trick learned years ago for install is to squirt the impeller and pump cavity with a little dish washing soap, I use Dawn. The impeller slips right in with zero drag with the soap.
Once you fire up water washes it clean and your good to go. Petroleum based lubes can cause rapid failure of the rubber.

flyweed wrote: I may go BEYOND what is necessary for winter layup..but after I but Sta-bil in my gas tank, and fog my engine, I drain all the water out...then I pour -75F antifreeze into the thermostat hose, and watch until it starts coming out both engine drain ports on each side, and the exhaust manfolds, AND the drain port at the bottom elbow under the raw water pump. Once I can see "red" I let some continue to drain for a few more seconds, then close them up. I remove my rubber water impeller, rub it down with just a little silicone "o ring" grease. and put it in a plastic bag, and hang if from the raw water pump for the winter. In the spring when I go to open the boat up, I will re-install the impeller, tighten the belts, check all hoses and connections and go from there. Has worked for me now for several years.

You should move it into your bedroom on the nightstand, it would really like the extra special treatment

Shooter guessing yours was ready to be replaced anyway.
I inspect it when I pull it out if I see any sign of wear I toss it, if it looks good I throw it and the key in a zip lock and toss it in the glove box, dry.
I do lube the inside of the pump with o ring lube before installing in the spring.
This has worked on both my boats for years.