Engine Water Drain Plugs

[ShadowB]

Checking out a boat I wanted to buy (and evinentually did) that has a 4.3 Mercruiser (2008). Put it in the water did the check out everything was fine. Pulled it out and the owner did another winterization, draining the engine water etc. When putting one of the blue drain plugs back in he broke off the thumb ears. I can't verify how hard he tightened it but I did watch and it didn't appear he cranked on it. This is my first I/O so I'm not over familiar with this engine so was wondering if there are better drain plugs made for this motor? It's not a problem getting a new plastic one from the Merc catelog but was wondering if there's an upgrade for this part? I'm guessing it's made of plastic for a reason though.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Engine Water Drain Plugs

Howdy,

It's plastic because it's cheap, and it doesn't corrode.

I would use brass for mine (if I had plugs) ..........you need to be able to remove the plug so you can easily poke a piece of wire in there to free any rust flakes or other debris.....


Cheers,


Rick

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Engine Water Drain Plugs

Yep, plastic so they don't corrode in place like the brass ones. Plus they allow the water to drain out of the entire diameter of the hole in the block as opposed to a smaller opening in a petcock setup..
They do break from time to time, so have 1 or two extra on hand every year when you winterize.
The good news is that when the plug head breaks off, the threaded part is not hard to remove at all, since it has no clamping force and the threads fit kinda "loose" in the hole. I use a small screw driver as an extractor tool.

 

[MRS]

Re: Engine Water Drain Plugs

Replace with brass plugs if you pull yearly and wipe alittle grease on the treads every time no problems. Thats what I do plus you do not have to tighten real tight just snug them and you are good to go.....

 

[ShadowB]

Re: Engine Water Drain Plugs

Thanks for the insight. I'll keep a few on hand.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Engine Water Drain Plugs

Replace with brass plugs if you pull yearly and wipe alittle grease on the treads every time no problems. Thats what I do plus you do not have to tighten real tight just snug them and you are good to go.....

Yeah, they only corrode in place if you never remove them!! (of course if you never remove them then who cares?)