Blue Drain Plugs

[Capt. Alec]

Hello everyone,

I have a 33ft 2008 sea ray Sundancer, I'm seeking help because on my motors (8.1 mercrusers) the blue freeze plug keeps breaking. This is my third season changing one cause each season a plug has broke I'm asking for help because I don't know what would cause them to keep breaking, once its broken what's the best way to get it out and lastly what I can do to prevent them from breaking In the future. I'd appreciate the help thank you.

 

[tpenfield]

:welcome:

​Do you mean the blue drain plugs that are unscrewed to drain various parts of the engine?

​Yes, they seem to break easily. You should probably buy a supply of them. You can probably remove the broken one(s) by drilling into the plug and using an easy-out to remove it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Or remove the plastic plugs completely and go back to brass drain plugs

 

[Grub54891]

Most get over tightened, or cross threaded. Just be careful installing them. Or do as said and replace them with brass.

 

[alldodge]

They don't take much to tighten. When they go from dark blue to light blue its time to change. I replaced all of mine except the exhaust manifolds with the hardin marine stainless steel
http://www.hardin-marine.com/p-8107...pump-drain-plugs-mercruiser-22-806608a02.aspx

Tried to replace the ones on the manifolds (plastic elbow fitting) but no matter how I tried it would start to cross thread on them

 

[Capt. Alec]

I think it's just that they keep turning it to much but it's just werid because I've had to change them more then one time. My marina had told me you can't put brass fittings in.

 

[Scott Danforth]

. My marina had told me you can't put brass fittings in.

Thats funny......... Find a different marina.....seriously.....for over 50 years prior to the plastic fittings brass was used

 

[Bondo]

My marina had told me you can't put brass fittings in.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... The blue Drain plugs are 1/2"- 13 thread,...

Pull the adapter for the blue Drain plugs, 'n just screw a 1/4" pipe thread brass plug into the hole the adapter comes outa,.....

 

[alldodge]

Agree, while you cannot install brass plugs directly into the fitting which holds the blue plug do to different thread. You can remove the blue plug and brass fitting, then screw in a brass fitting into the block

 

[scoflaw]

Someone is making the blue plugs in stainless, check ebay or craigslist

 

[QBhoy]

Man...a well known issue. I've had the same problems. Even after snapping some previously, I put new ones in less than finger tight and they always seem to magically tighten up more over the season...then you are on it with an adjustable shifting spanner to remove and enevitably breaking one or both sides of the lugs.
They sure look prettier than the brass plugs, but in reality they are just crap....and bloody expensive to replace !

 

[H20Rat]

You guys using o-rings on the blue plugs? Not all come with them, but from my experience, the ones without tend to stick themselves tight and will break. The ones with the o-rings seem to last a long time.

 

[tpenfield]

If one were to get the stainless steel version, should they be painted blue ? :noidea:

 

[Mischief Managed]

once its broken what's the best way to get it out .

Stick the tip of a jack knife in the hole and use the knife to twist the broken piece out. They come out easily.

 

[TyeeMan]

One could also use a left handed drill bit, , yes they do make them unlike a left handed screw driver. I use left handed drill bits at work to drill out broken screws, , a lot of time the broken screw backs out while I'm drilling it and I don't even have to use the EZ Out.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Stick the tip of a jack knife in the hole and use the knife to twist the broken piece out. They come out easily.

Unbolt the adapter, throw away. Replace with a $.28 brass plug