Stripped oil drain plug!

[johnboat78]

I have a 2016 Mercury 20hp 4 stroke with a stripped engine oil drain. Can anyone tell me if a ‘piggyback’ drain plug will work to fix this? The mechanic said he couldn’t put in a helicoil and a new oil pan would be over $1,000...

 

[Scott Danforth]

find a new mechanic. Helicoil or other threaded insert would be the fix.

 

[johnboat78]

That was my first thought...

 

[alldodge]

If the pan is not thick enough a heli won't work. Could remove the pan, and braze or weld a weld nut in place

If there is room, tap to next larger side plug

For that matter, remove, weld closed, drill and tap to original size

 

[racerone]

Removing an oil pan on a 4 stroke can involve a lot of work.

 

[jimmbo]

FInd out if Merc has a Service Bulletin regarding stripped Oil Pan Drains.

 

[roscoe]

Piggyback should work if you can find the right thread size.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, how about using a flush bushing thru the original hole, with a pipe fitting on the inside to fasten it. It would require removal of the pan.