PLEASE HELP Plug clip lost down into outdrive! Need help!

[chriscraft254]

I removed a plug from my 1990 cobra outdrive last winter for drainage. Problem was, I found out this plug was not suppose to be removed. It supposedly had a retainer clip on the backside that is now nowhere to be found after removal of the outdrive. The water jacket that it should have been in has two holes in that it could have gotten down into.

I have tried everything to get something to come out with no luck. I am considering reinstalling the outdrive, jb weld the plug in since it never has to be removed anyway and hope for the best.


Any suggestions here and what kind of damage can this little thin clip cause if in the outdrive somewhere?:facepalm:

Please help me with this, I am no mechanic and know very little about the outdrive.


Here is the thread that I posted when the plug was removed, it has all the pics.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=523194

Here is a pic of the water jacket it should have been in.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: PLEASE HELP Plug clip lost down into outdrive! Need help!

That little reatiner isn't going to hurt anything, I'll bet it's wedged itself way down in the cavity where it will remain forever, I myself would get it out just because I'm annal, a dentist or plumbers mirror and a 194 bulb rigged up with 12v sent down in there, you may be able to get it out with some mechanical fingers, a magnet won't stick to it, did you try to flip it over and shake it out, maybe bang on it a little with a rubber mallot.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: PLEASE HELP Plug clip lost down into outdrive! Need help!

That little reatiner isn't going to hurt anything, I'll bet it's wedged itself way down in the cavity where it will remain forever, I myself would get it out just because I'm annal, a dentist or plumbers mirror and a 194 bulb rigged up with 12v sent down in there, you may be able to get it out with some mechanical fingers, a magnet won't stick to it, did you try to flip it over and shake it out, maybe bang on it a little with a rubber mallot.

Thanks man, I tried to shake it, bang on it, run water from the exit in, entry out, flooded it, turned it upside down right side up, every which way. Getting a scope in there would almost be impossible. Very frustrating to say the least. I think I'm going to leave it and hope for the best. I'm pretty anal when it comes to my boat as well and usually leave this stuff to the mechanic, but funds just are tight so I tried winterizing myself, all went goofd until that wrong plug was removed.

Now trying to align the outdrive shaft is giving me fits. I just called a buddy, so hopefully with two of us I can get her back on.

I don't have an alignment tool.

I really hope that clip doesn't cause any blockage issues or worse.

 

[boatguya1]

Re: PLEASE HELP Plug clip lost down into outdrive! Need help!

Thanks man, I tried to shake it, bang on it, run water from the exit in, entry out, flooded it, turned it upside down right side up, every which way. Getting a scope in there would almost be impossible. Very frustrating to say the least. I think I'm going to leave it and hope for the best. I'm pretty anal when it comes to my boat as well and usually leave this stuff to the mechanic, but funds just are tight so I tried winterizing myself, all went goofd until that wrong plug was removed.

Now trying to align the outdrive shaft is giving me fits. I just called a buddy, so hopefully with two of us I can get her back on.

I don't have an alignment tool.

I really hope that clip doesn't cause any blockage issues or worse.

Lets think about this. Where does that passage go on the outdrive?


Next stop in that passage is the waterpump on the back of the drive. If it were me I'd remove the w/p hsg and impeller and try to flush it back out the opening you show in the photo with a hose. I'd not want to leave it as it is on the pressure side of the pump and may get pushed up into the cooling system of the motor, or it may have fallen inside the w/p when you were tilting the drive to get it out.

James

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: PLEASE HELP Plug clip lost down into outdrive! Need help!

Lets think about this. Where does that passage go on the outdrive?


Next stop in that passage is the waterpump on the back of the drive. If it were me I'd remove the w/p hsg and impeller and try to flush it back out the opening you show in the photo with a hose. I'd not want to leave it as it is on the pressure side of the pump and may get pushed up into the cooling system of the motor, or it may have fallen inside the w/p when you were tilting the drive to get it out.

James

i will give that a shot, like I said, I know very little about the mechanical systems hanging off the back of this boat. Thats why I asked. Thanks for help,