Lower Unit Drain Plug Stuck !!

[Fishamajig]

There was a thread(s) some time ago about a tool that was sold at Sears that allowed you to loosen.

I would normally use the search feature to answer my own question, but with the "Search Feature" being worthless, I need to ask the question.

Help please !

[master_wrench]

I believe you are talking about a impact driver. It has changable tips and you hit it with a hammer to get screws or small bolts out. You can also take a good wide screwdriver and put it in the drain plug and give it a few good hits with a nice size hammer and that sometimes helps also.

[seahorse]

Fishamajig - 1/29/2008 4:18 AM

There was a thread(s) some time ago about a tool that was sold at Sears that allowed you to loosen.
!

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=impact+driver

Also get a large screwdriver socket to fit the drainplug. Do not use the small screwdriver bits that come with the set.

[Byte_By_Byte]

I had this happen recently and used a little heat to get it off. Took a propane torch & put the flame on the drain plug. I was really careful about getting it too hot or putting flame to the lower unit itself.

Flame - Screwdriver - Flame - Screwdriver.

It was just enough to soften whatever junk was in the threads and holding the plug tight.

[kchace]

Impact driver.

[lazydawg]

Like they said Impact screwdriver. Got one from Harbor Freight for less than 10 bucks. Works but quality is not as good as sears.

[Wheresjoe]

Impact driver. It doesn't take much. Just make sure you have it going the right way

[Fishamajig]

Thanks guys !!

Thehulltruth is awesome ! Six replies in less than 2 hours. What do you wnat from life ?

I am off to Sears at lunch time.

[kchace]

If you've never used one before... The best way to use it is to insert it into the screw slot and turn it in the loosening direction until any movement is taken up and HOLD IT there. A sharp whack with the hammer and you should be good. These things work so well that if you have to hit it more than twice you're not doing it right.

Remember that they can be set to turn in either direction, so make sure you have it set to go the way you need it.

Ken

[portboy]

one way that works for me is to use the best matched screwdriver to the screw and lock on a pair of vice grips perpindicular to the shaft...this way you can use your weight to lean the screwdriver into the screw and turn it with the vice grips.

[bms1939]

Most of the larger screw drivers have a place right below the handle for a wrench to use instead of vice grips, the vice grips can slip. If that does'nt work go with the impact driver, then replace the drain plugs with the ones that you can use an allen wrench.

[NPH]

I had the same problem. First of all, it is much eassier to work on, when it is on the work bench, rather then on the boat. I used a propane tourch, and a Makita 14.4volt impact gun. It came out nice and easy. It took about 3 minutes. Make sure the bit in the impact gun fits the screw slot snugly. When you are all done, replace the plug.

[kennyboy]

Bms- you say to replace the screws. does anyone know where to buy correct size replacement screws? My local dealer wanted 25.00 for each screw. (I know I'm leaving myself open on that sentence)

[mtcfish]

Impact driver as has been mentioned and also replace the screw and gaskets as you sound like you may have buggered up the head....

[whippa4]

I saw one of those things on a late night infomercial for $19.95 .....naaa That was the thigh
master...nevermind..

[saltydog251]

I once used the flat end of a 4 way tire iron (some of them have a flat end to pop off hubcaps).

[ggibby]

I have one of those huge screwdrivers with the area just below the handle that you can put a wrench on -- that made a HUGE difference. And of course, get the largest screwdriver you can so that it fits the slot perfectly.

I'm nervous about the heating idea; metals normally expand when heated and if you heat the SCREW, I'm wondering why it wouldn't get TIGHTER.

For my suzuki, I bought a spare plug from brownspoint.com. I don't remember, but it sure wasn't $25.

gordon

[Mr. Demeanor]

Once you get it out, replace it with of the aftermarket plugs that is keyed for an allen.

[NPH]

ggibby - 1/29/2008 9:48 PM

I'm nervous about the heating idea; metals normally expand when heated and if you heat the SCREW, I'm wondering why it wouldn't get TIGHTER.

gordon

Gordon, I was less woried about the heat, then I was about swinging a hammer at my outdrive. I figured I would do less damage with the tourch.

[A1 Outboard]

NPH - 1/30/2008 7:13 AM

Gordon, I was less woried about the heat, then I was about swinging a hammer at my outdrive. I figured I would do less damage with the tourch.

You have to be careful with the impact driver it could break half of the screw head ,I would heat the lower a little and take a big screw driver that has a wrench flat on the blade or just hit the end of the screw driver with a hammer....Old boat mechanic trick