Drain plug problem

[MikeBravo]

The tab on the fuel pump drain plug(blue plug) on my starboard engine broke off and the plug is leaking. Anyone ever encounter this and if so how did you get the plug out?

 

[stephenm27]

If the blue drain plug you're referring to is the raw water drain plug, you can sometimes super heat a large flat blade screwdriver and carefully sink it into the remaining plastic. Allow to cool for 30-60 seconds (plastic will harden), after which you've now created a mechanism to turn/twist out the remaining blue plastic plug. Of course, standard disclaimers apply: don't use a torch to heat the screwdriver in a gas bilge, don't use too large of a screw driver and damage metal threads, a t-handle screwdriver provides more twisting force.

(I've removed multiple broken/brittle blue drain plugs this way...most in the thermostat housing).

 

[MikeBravo]

If the blue drain plug you're referring to is the raw water drain plug, you can sometimes super heat a large flat blade screwdriver and carefully sink it into the remaining plastic. Allow to cool for 30-60 seconds (plastic will harden), after which you've now created a mechanism to turn/twist out the remaining blue plastic plug. Of course, standard disclaimers apply: don't use a torch to heat the screwdriver in a gas bilge, don't use too large of a screw driver and damage metal threads, a t-handle screwdriver provides more twisting force.

(I've removed multiple broken/brittle blue drain plugs this way...most in the thermostat housing).

Thanks.