Force Drain Plug for Lower Unit Oil

[fishthebay]

Hello All:<br /><br />I have an 85HP Force outboard - year 1987<br /><br />I have a seasonal problem that maybe someone could help me with.<br /><br />Every single time that I change the lower unit oil on this engine the drain plug is completely frozen.<br /><br />The way the motor is designed, is that the fill and vent are side by side up top with a slotted head. EASY TO UNSCREW<br /><br />The Drain Plug is on the bottom of the lower unit and has a very small 4mm allen wrench fitting.<br /><br />Now the plug is stainless steel and the lower unit is aluminum. I know these don't mix.<br /><br />Anyway every year the plug will not come out at all. You immediately strip the allen wrench fitting off even with high torque.<br /><br />The only way to get this thing out is to drill a hole through it and use an easy out.<br /><br />Thats all that works.<br /><br />I just did that procedure and everything is fine, but could I do anything to prevent this next lower unit oil change??? <br /><br />Thanks

 

[12Footer]

Re: Force Drain Plug for Lower Unit Oil

Most outboards use stainless in this application.<br />I would think if it is freezing, there is water getting past the seal, iether in the lower unit, or the plug screw itself. I allways have to use an impact driver (handheld, not air impact), to loosen and to tighten, in every lower unit I have ever been into.<br />How did the lube look? Any water?<br />An ordinary straight-slotted screw will work fine,if you have an impact driver, but also, if you have the allen bit to fit that one, the impact driver will remove it with no or minimum damage...A tool well worth the money, (if you don't allready have one).

 

[fishthebay]

Re: Force Drain Plug for Lower Unit Oil

Thanks 12 footer. Lube looked like new, with no water in it.<br /><br />I probably need to get the impact driver for next season.<br /><br />You advise is great. Remember last year about all the decarb ?'s. Well, with one decarb application in January - the motor runs like new.<br /><br />The force has been good to me thus far.

 

[ODDD1]

Re: Force Drain Plug for Lower Unit Oil

fishthebay, I have dealt with many of these little sumbiches...almost everybody over tightens them....put teflon thread tape on the new and use 1 FINGER on the allen wrench when you snug it in...no more.

 

[chumbucket]

Re: Force Drain Plug for Lower Unit Oil

Oddd1 question on 150 v6 carb model,why would i have to pump throttle 10 times prior to starting this was ex-owners bag. Is it doing anything pumping on it ,what could be cause ???what could i check Thanks

 

[Parrott_head]

Re: Force Drain Plug for Lower Unit Oil

You might try a product like Anti-Sieze by Loc-Tite next time. We use it at work and it really performs well.