1996 merc force 75 Bolt head found.

[cbishop1782]

Hello my father and I just got a 97 tracker pro team 17 been a great boat but when I was putting the cover on I noticed a busted bolt head in what I believe is an auxiliary exhaust port of some sort on the back end. If I shine a flashlight up inside I see a bolt head off to the left but nothing to the right. It's hard to see in there. Any idea if it's something that I can get to easily? Looking at manuals and parts diagrams I can't find anything where this bolt head is.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Pull the power head

 

[cbishop1782]

Pull the power head

Do you know how difficult that would be? I don't mind getting my hands dirty but should I just bring it to a shop to look at it?

 

[topgun3690]

That's the idle exhaust port.....the broken bolt head could have fallen down in there when somebody had the PH off for some reason.....didn't see it when they reassembled. Won't hurt anything where it is now....probably been like that for a while. Not worth pulling the PH if there are no other issues and runs good, in my opinion.

 

[topgun3690]

Also.....that port is tapered so it is smaller near the bottom....if you could grab that bolt head and raise it up higher, then turn it sideways, might be able to just walk it out of there....worth a try if you haven't already....

 

[cbishop1782]

Also.....that port is tapered so it is smaller near the bottom....if you could grab that bolt head and raise it up higher, then turn it sideways, might be able to just walk it out of there....worth a try if you haven't already....

Well that's what I'm gonna go with lol. Thanks so much for the info.