How Tight to Put in Plug?

[RinkerFamily]

How tight should you fasten the drain plug? Mine is brass with a square head. I always thread by hand and then tighten with a pair of pliers. I also wrap the threads with silicon tape. I tend to be taking on some water and wonder if I have a compromised seal with my drain plug. Can it hurt to "overtighten" the plug?

 

[05GlastronSX]

Re: How Tight to Put in Plug?

theres really no rule of thumb on how tight to tighten the drain plug...i guess its preference and whatever you feel comfortable with. i do the same thing as you and turn it probably 5-10 times after i can no longer turn it by hand.

 

[Tony Tulett]

Re: How Tight to Put in Plug?

Hi, the worse that can happen is you strip the threads by over tightening. if it is made of brass as you say it is very easy to damage the thread as brass can be a soft metal.<br />If it is leaking try PTFE tape used by plumbers this should stop any leaks, if this does not work the only other thing I can come up with is try and make a rubber washer, a rubber car mat is good. I made a water pump gasget out of a car mat and no leaks .<br /><br />As for the brass thread the best way to look after it is every time you replace the plug clean both threads with a rag to remove and grit and debris, it wouldnt hurt to greease it up a bit.<br />To tighten, tighten by hand and then use a short handeled pair of pliers, tighen up to about 1/4 of a turn.<br />Hope this helps

 

[Silvertip]

Re: How Tight to Put in Plug?

Chances are the plug itself is not leaking but rather the outer fitting is leaking and needs to be resealed. Since there is very little water pressure on the plug, simply snugging it up is sufficient to seal it as its a taper thread. Overtightening causes the outer fitting to rotate ever so slightly causing the sealing material to eventually loosen.

 

[rwidman]

Re: How Tight to Put in Plug?

Originally posted by Tony ART:<br /> Hi, the worse that can happen is you strip the threads by over tightening.

If you turn too hard you risk breaking the seal of the outside portion to the hull as Upinsmoke correctly states. I use a four or five inch adjustable wrench and just snug it up.

 

[milkyway]

Re: How Tight to Put in Plug?

I do the same thing, with silicon tape but not overtightening it. I get no water whatsoever. Your outer fitting must be leaking, as upinsmoke states.

 

[Braxton]

Re: How Tight to Put in Plug?

Im having the same problem. thanks for the advise. i knew id love iboats Braxton