Plastic plugs on engine block

[WaterDoc]

I almost had 'near disaster' this weekend and NEVER want to be there again. After having my 1997 Sea Ray 270 DA dewinterized and water tested, I decided to take a 'check out run' first to make sure everything is running ok. After a quarter mile, water was entering the bilge and I quickly returned to the marina and had it lifted.
Mechanic was called and arrived in 15 min, the blue plastic water drain plug (one of them) had completed sheared off and was filling the bilge. He replaced this in 5 minute and said I was 'good to go.'

I have several questions: 1) is the blue plastic plug the ONLY alternative to use (they can crack or in my case shear completely. 2) if this is the only alternative, where are all these located on the engine? 3) where can I order spares to have on the boat?
I never, ever want to be in this simple fix, on the water, away from my marina AGAIN! My girlfriend (an experienced boater) was on board and thank goodness she didn't freak out!

WaterDoc

 

[Nehalennia]

They are cheap. Replace them annually and keep 4-6 spares on board.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blue-Water-..._Accessories_Gear&hash=item417e252155&vxp=mtr

 

[Woody]

I almost had 'near disaster' this weekend and NEVER want to be there again. After having my 1997 Sea Ray 270 DA dewinterized and water tested, I decided to take a 'check out run' first to make sure everything is running ok. After a quarter mile, water was entering the bilge and I quickly returned to the marina and had it lifted.
Mechanic was called and arrived in 15 min, the blue plastic water drain plug (one of them) had completed sheared off and was filling the bilge. He replaced this in 5 minute and said I was 'good to go.'

I have several questions: 1) is the blue plastic plug the ONLY alternative to use (they can crack or in my case shear completely. 2) if this is the only alternative, where are all these located on the engine? 3) where can I order spares to have on the boat?
I never, ever want to be in this simple fix, on the water, away from my marina AGAIN! My girlfriend (an experienced boater) was on board and thank goodness she didn't freak out!

WaterDoc

Like said 'spares are cheap'. FYI, these plugs are really not that fragile if used properly. If you found your plug sheared off it's because someone did it. These things should be put in finger tight only...no tools needed. Once in a while I do have to use a tiny bit of help from pliers to remove one.
View attachment 35142

 

[gerryb]

If you remove them every year and replace them every 2-3 years, you'll never have an issue with this plastic plugs. I put a little grease or antiseize on mine to help them not get seized-up. While a metal plug would'nt sheer off, they could have their own problems.

 

[Creekwood]

I had a similar issue last spring. Every once in a while while running the boat, I noticed the bilge pump would come on for a few seconds then stop. There was always a small amount of water in the bildge that had not been there the year before. I looked everywhere and could not see anything odd while at rest. I figured it was maybe time to replace a shaft seal or something, but it was intermittant and never a lot of water and it never seemed to run the pump while at rest. It was left like this for about a month.
Then on day I was running the engines with the hatch open and then I shut them down wiht the hatch open. With the engines off, I heard a faint trickle. and hunted it down. One of those blue plugs had been sheared off (overtightened by the marina during winterizing?) and it was in the back and hard to see.

What a stupid design the have the plug with a hole through the middle! I guess in theory it allows you to use an easyout to get the plug out if it shears off, but it also means your boat fills with water when running.

 

[wellswa]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/123483553@N02/sets/72157644167981706/








I have the fix for the blue water drain plugs that always break or twist off when trying to remove them. These new plugs are made of stainless steel (attached pic) and incorporate the "O" ring to seal them just as the plastic ones do. I've made up a few of them and am offering them for sale here. They are $10.95 each or available in sets. A set of 4 (typical inboard engine)is $39.95 and a set of 5 (typical sterndrive engine)is $49.95. PM me if you would like some.

 

[wyrman]

Thanks for the link Todd, I bought a set. I haven't had any problems yet but it's good to have an extra set. I did have the water distribution housing break though, right where one of those plugs screws in.
Forty bucks is a little steep for me, even for stainless