Broken Blue Drain Plug Merc 8.1

[fdough1]

Need some suggestions...trying to remove one of the blue drain plugs on the starboard engine and it snapped off leaving the threaded part of the plug still in the engine. Has anyone had this happen and if so how did you get it out?&nbsp;<br><br>Thanks,<br>FD

 

[Tim Jodice]

Take a flat head screw driver about the size of the plug and get it hot enough to melt plastic. Put pressure on it in to the hole and let melt in to the plug. You might have to do it more than once to get it in far enough to get a good bite. Then unscrew it.

 

[Creekwood]

Take a flat head screw driver about the size of the plug and get it hot enough to melt plastic. Put pressure on it in to the hole and let melt in to the plug. You might have to do it more than once to get it in far enough to get a good bite. Then unscrew it.

X2. They always break exactly as you have shown and always the threaded part is left in the hole.

You don't need to get the screwdriver too hot at all. I use a philips screwdriver though since it centers in the hole in the plug easier. You may not have to heat it either so you can try it cold first. Be careful with open flame in the bilge too.

 

[wellswa]

Need some suggestions...trying to remove one of the blue drain plugs on the starboard engine and it snapped off leaving the threaded part of the plug still in the engine. Has anyone had this happen and if so how did you get it out?&nbsp;<br><br>Thanks,<br>FD

A small "easy out" works well in removing them since they already have a thru hole built into them. By the way, I make plugs out of stainless steel to replace the plastic ones so you never have this problem again. I've just recently sold some to 2 other CSR members for their engines. Shoot me a pm with your email address and I'll send you a picture and pricing. Good luck removing the old ones.

 

[fdough1]

Ok...ez out worked!!! Thanks for the help


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[wellswa]

Yeah, they come out pretty easy with an "easy out". I have done several that way.

 

[KHE]

Easy out turned with fingers gets the broken piece out. I broke two out of five when I was winterizing my boat. I barely tightened them once I felt the o-ring started to compress and BANG - I was holding the winged portion in my hand... Next year, I'm buying three as spares when I do the job. The thermocycling makes the plugs brittle.

 

[wellswa]

Easy out turned with fingers gets the broken piece out. I broke two out of five when I was winterizing my boat. I barely tightened them once I felt the o-ring started to compress and BANG - I was holding the winged portion in my hand... Next year, I'm buying three as spares when I do the job. The thermocycling makes the plugs brittle.

KHE, I have stainless steel ones for sale. Shoot me a pm with your email address and I'll send you pics and pricing.