Broken blue seacock

skunkman

Active Member
May 27, 2014
452
Longboat Key
Boat Info
2014 330 DA sold
Current boat 2021 Formula 350CBR
Engines
Triple 350 Mercury Verado
I was out and the emergency bilge pump went off again repeatedly. Lifted the hatch and water was spewing out of a broken blue seacock on the port engine. Part of the seacock is still in the hole. Any thoughts on getting it out. Where can I get a replacement?
 
Am I using the right term - seacock? Its one of those blue plastic valves you can turn
 
Sounds like you might be referring to the drain from the engine. I have 2 blue plastic drain fittings on my little boat which has a 4.3 liter Mercruiser. Can you post a picture of it?
 
Are you talking about the drain plugs?
If so, Hardin Marine sells stainless replacements.
 

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+1 on the hardin stainless replacements - but beware as sometimes the wider "wing nut" design does not clear the sensors on the t-stat housing (I trimmed them instead of removing the sensor and risking breaking it or hurting the housing. as far as removing whats left, I've had luck using an appropriate size phillips lightly tapped in place and backing it out......when they are stuck I use a really small flat sctewdriver, an awl and even dental picks to chip out the pieces - the threads are very coarse so its not that difficult.
 
I keep a few spares of the blue caps as I have had two of them break on me over the last 10 years.
 
I ordered the stainless plugs. Thank you. Hard to believe such a cheap part for an important function.
 
And use great caution when starting the thread on the new one after you get the old one out, they like to cross thread when starting to screw them in.
 
I ordered the stainless plugs. Thank you. Hard to believe such a cheap part for an important function.
I wanted to get this when my blue plug broke off in the fuel module. but I was worried about the two dissimilar metals with corrosion ( aluminum / stainless steel ) as salt water passes through the fuel module.

How is the stainless steel holding up against corrosion.

I now carry extra blue plugs but would like to switch to stainless steel ones and be done with this.

I drilled out the plastic plug and with a small screwdriver it came right out.
 
I never had a problem - used tef-gel on the threads - the bolts that hold the brackets onto the housing as well as the cover (and fuel line into the cover) and filter housing are all stainless too
 
If you still need to get the plug out, you should be able to use an ez-out, aka extractor tool.

There are a couple of types such as strait flute and spiral. I picked up this set from my local HW store and I've used it on a couple of projects. You should be able to chuck it into a drill and use it on LOW speed to back out the remains of the plug.

51TP7orVuuL._SX425_.jpg
 
If you still need to get the plug out, you should be able to use an ez-out, aka extractor tool.

There are a couple of types such as strait flute and spiral. I picked up this set from my local HW store and I've used it on a couple of projects. You should be able to chuck it into a drill and use it on LOW speed to back out the remains of the plug.

51TP7orVuuL._SX425_.jpg

They shouldn't be used in a drill on any speed.
 
They shouldn't be used in a drill on any speed.

Why not? Chuck the properly sized extractor into the drill and engage it in reverse at a very low speed. I've use that successfully on several occasions.

Although I did just read that the straight extractors (not spiral) work better for softer materials, as they don't expand the material to be removed during the process.
 
Why not? Chuck the properly sized extractor into the drill and engage it in reverse at a very low speed. I've use that successfully on several occasions.

Although I did just read that the straight extractors (not spiral) work better for softer materials, as they don't expand the material to be removed during the process.

Because your not supposed to. Period

"Screw Extractors

WARNING: Always wear safety goggles to protect your eyes, and wear other appropriate safety items for protection. For hand application use only, do not use in power tools. Always use cutting oil with cutting tools. Do not heat the tool. Always maintain a firm footing and control of the tool. Prior to use, always inspect the tool and discard immediately if damage is suspected."

https://www.irwin.com/support-services/safety-warnings#15
 
If you think you have a problem when a screw breaks off and you have to get it out???? try using one of those extractors in a drill and have IT break off---that will be a real problem, as they are hardened.
 
Ive had a few break in my day... They actually come out pretty easy... I just heat up the tip of a screwdriver and let it melt into the plug... let it cool for a sec and then unscrew it
 
Ive had a few break in my day... They actually come out pretty easy... I just heat up the tip of a screwdriver and let it melt into the plug... let it cool for a sec and then unscrew it

I used this same procedure to get the blue plugs out. They do come out very easy.
 
I tried to remove it with a screwdriver as described above. I got great torque on the plug but it just disintegrated leaving plastic in the threads. I tried to get the plastic out with a pick but no way. I may have to have it tapped. To get the boat to the marina I was thinking of using a temporary plug - maybe some type of expansion plug. Any other suggestions? Or should I tap it myself. The plug is on the water pump. I don't want to ruin it.
 

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