lower unit vent and drain plug problem

[grimpy]

I been trying to get the lower unit vent plug off and it seems that none of my screwdrivers will work... I have stripped some of the screw... Anyone know what size flathead I am suppose to use that will fit exactly in there? Also the screws have a very little ridge to grip... how the heck do these things come off?

I already bought replacement screws for the vent plug and drain...

Any ideas how to get these suckers off? I was thinking either dremeling a cross ridge so I could attempt to use a phillips... Or drill a hole right through it... and attempt to remove it after... but I am worried about chunks of metal falling into the hole...

 

[steamplant]

Re: lower unit vent and drain plug problem

I had the same problem put some heat on it with a torch, came right out

 

[grimpy]

Re: lower unit vent and drain plug problem

I don't have a torch... Do you think PB blaster would work? How about a heat gun?

 

[i386]

Re: lower unit vent and drain plug problem

I don't know the number, but I use a big screwdriver with a big wide blade. There's no slack in the slot if you know what I mean. When you get those plugs I'd recommend replacing them if the screw heads are boogered up.

I have learned the hard way that matching the screwdriver to the screw head results in fewer stripped screw heads and less effort on my part. For me, the ideal fit is when I can put the screw on the end of the screwdriver and it not fall off (non-magnetic). However, I am keenly aware of the concept of doing the best you can with what you have to work with too.

And by the way, I believe flathead screws are evil.

That's my $.02 Good luck.

 

[roscoe]

Re: lower unit vent and drain plug problem

Heat gun may work.

Or an impact driver.

Or Dremel the slot real deep and turn it out.

 

[grimpy]

Re: lower unit vent and drain plug problem

thanks for the help guys.... The thing was pretty much stripped on lower right side so it was impossible trying to turn it with a flat head anymore...

I tried the heat gun but it didn't work... Oh well...

I ended using a small flat head, and literally chisel the top left side of the slot... after ten or so wacks, it finally gave way...

The pos bolts didn't have any washers on them... I replaced them with new bolts and washers...

On a side note... the fluid inside was green with some brown tint to it... Is this normal? I replaced the fluid with Mercury High Performance Gear Lube+. I waited until all the old fluid dripped out, about 20 minutes and put the new lube in... I know the high performance lube is not to be mixed with premium lube... Not sure if the lube inside was premium or high performance... but if there was still very little of the older lube inside, would it be ok?

 

[roscoe]

Re: lower unit vent and drain plug problem

Not to worry.

Its better than having water in there.

 

[grimpy]

Re: lower unit vent and drain plug problem

thanks again Roscoe!