Just a little reminder to those who may run their engine on the hose in the driveway.
TURN THE WATER ON before you start the engine. If you have an Alpha I and you
Forget to turn the water ON, you will burn up the rubber impeller in
less than a minute by running it dry. Don't ask me how I know.
My local dealer charged $181. to replace the pump with a new one. When the pump
runs dry it generates heat in the pump and not only melts the impeller but other plastic parts in the pump as well. So the whole pump is replaced.
The pump kit (Alpha I) was $50. The pump plate was $31.50 plus $90 Labor plus tax, etc. The Alpha I has the impeller in the drive.
If the impeller fails while the pump/drive is submerged in water, then the impeller alone can be replaced, but I suspect repair shops will do the whole pump anyhow, not just the impeller.
BTW: As someone suggested above, if you take it apart to "Inspect" it, you may as well Replace the impeller while you have it apart....particularly if you are
paying for labor. NB