I replace my impeller on a Honda 40 HP last year from iboats.com. I noticed the stream is getting weaker so I pulled the lower unit off to check. The impeller is like mush, very soft, and veins are as strong as paper. Anybody else have a part go bad in a year?
New Honda replacement on its way.
Maybe running a lot of sand and river muck could do that, or starting after taking out of the water that I see some people do during the winter…
But when it comes to cheaper components that are vital to engine longevity I would stick with OEM parts.
There are a lot of factors that will cause the impeller to fail quickly – including dry-rot.
I’ve had the impeller on my Yammy 150 fail in a month because of drawing in too much sand.
As for OEM – Original Equipment Manufacture – That often can be a joke, so don’t get sucked into thinking tyhat because it has 3 letters attached that its better parts. All these parts are bid out and its a matter of who gets the contract to supply. For water pumps, stick with 1. Mallory or 2. Sierra. Those are two of the larger manufactures and are most likely suppliers of OEM parts.
I replaced mine last spring and will be replacing it again this summer but I pumped a lot of sand and gravel last summer. I used a OEM water pump.
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The impeller is like mush, very soft, and veins are as strong as paper.
Sure sounds like it’s been sand blasted.
I changed my pump peller in ’04 and again this spring (yes ten years) only because I was getting nervous. Sure didn’t need to be changed.
I hit sand for a short period 4-5 times per year.
Redneck should comment here. He’s the sand king. 
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The impeller is like mush, very soft, and veins are as strong as paper.
Sure sounds like it’s been sand blasted.
I changed my pump peller in ’04 and again this spring (yes ten years) only because I was getting nervous. Sure didn’t need to be changed.
I hit sand for a short period 4-5 times per year.
Redneck should comment here. He’s the sand king.
I’ve seen pictures of Redneck’s props, I didn’t know sand could do so much damage.
OEM part manufacturing goes to the “low” cost bidder, as does fuses for hand grenades. 
Are you replacing just the impeller again?
Have you inspected the steel lining of the inner pump housing that the impeller rides against? Has it been scored by sand such that it is rough and therefore contributing to premature impeller wear?
Also, have you checked your intake screens for holes or cracks that would allow you suck up larger amounts of sand?
I’ve seen these housing scored by sand or other debris such that they have essentially sanded the vanes off the impeller.
Also, be aware that most full water pump kits contain the impeller, pump housing, and the o-ring seals that connect the pump to the riser that brings water to the engine. IMO, it’s a good idea to do a full water pump replacement once ever 10 years to be sure that all parts in the system are renewed.
I agree with Randy re OEM vs aftermarket parts. There is no absolute statement you can make regarding OEM being “superior” to aftermarket. In many cases, they are all coming from the same factory anyway.
Grouse
thanks all, the stainless impeller housing is smooth as glass, shiny, no scratches. All intake screens are in tact and secure. The plastic housing looks like new. I think I just got a bad impeller, not the worst thing in the world, no damage done.
Thanks again for all the help.
Jeff
I replace mine every other year. The way I look at it is that it is cheap insurance. A $75 pump or a $2500 top end rebuild.
I would put my motor in the same class as Redneck, it gets used a lot, sucks up lots of sand, and smacks a rock or two once in a while. 
Look online and you can find every part you could want for less then the OEM parts you can get at your dealer.
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