Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

[wheyl]

I have a 95 Evinrude 48 that's been sitting up for a few years (It was a hand-me-down from my father) and have now got it running smoothly. After 60+ hours the last 6 weeks prepping the boat and motor, We are leaving for our week-long trip to Toledo Bend next Monday and I figured I need to change the gearcase oil as it probably has not been done in 4+ years. A formality, right? Should take 10 minutes right?

Well, after spending nearly two hours last night fighting with the lower screw (top one came out fine) I decided to get an impact screwdriver today and get the little bugger out. No dice. It just bent the bit. I have sprayed it down several times with WD and tried hitting it counterclockwise with an old screwdriver and hammer. Nothing. The head is getting pretty stripped at this point. I was next going to try deepening the head slot with a Dremel tool. If that didn't work I was going to get a set of Easy-out's. Which I'd rather not do as it will essentially destroy the screw and I'm not positive I can find one before next Monday.

Any other suggestions? Could I just pull the entire lower unit and hold it upside-down to drain out of the top hole? and then fill it slowly? Or would it probably be safe to leave it for now and deal with it after Toledo Bend?

Why does Murphys Law always happen to me??!!??

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

I am surprized you could notr get it out. Usually it will come out with the chistle and hammer. Obviously the moral is not to go 4 years between changes.

How about mild heat on the aluminum around the plud, remove the heat and spray with PB Blaster? Now drive it with the chistle. You may get lucky.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

You need a 1/2 screwdriver and someone with a lot of strength and it will come out. Get some help or it will just get worse.

If gear oil under pressure will not come out, I doubt that penetrating oil will go in.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

i have used 1/2 in blade screwdriver, and a cresent wrench on the screw driver.

 

[JMRuth72]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

If you know someone that has one of these borrow it if not go buy one. Then try it with some gentle to mild persuasion from a hammer I prefer a baby sledge, but a heavy ball peen should do nicely as well.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ame=Automotive+Specialty+Tools&keyword=impact

I have one and I love it. I haven't had to use it very often, but it is very handy. Be advised that it can also do a lot of damage if not carefull. That doesn't mean you can't smack it firmly, just start light and work your way up a little from there. Also just a thought, could the lower screw be a reverse thread design if so you could be trying to tighten it not loosen it. I really don't know, but I thought that I would ask. Also it has been my experience that sometimes trying to tighten a screw can help actually loosen it. I would not want to use heat just yet.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

That impact bit is probably too narrow, like the one you already tried. If you can find a minimum 3/8 wide it might work, but a 1/2 slotted screwdriver is your best bet.

 

[JMRuth72]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

I will have to try to remember to look at mine when I get home, but I think that the phillips bits are #1,#2 and #3. I know that there are places that have much bigger sets of this piece, but this is what I bought. Of course I am not sure how big the screw in question is. In this case I only know about the basic mechanics and can only advise accordingly.

 

[JMRuth72]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

BTW I will always avoid using a flathead screw on anything for primarily this exact reason. I really prefer using phillips or allens where possible and will change screws where I can when I can. I really really dislike flatheads.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

i totally agree, on flat heads, inventor should be killed, but too late he's already dead.

 

[wheyl]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

BTW I will always avoid using a flathead screw on anything for primarily this exact reason. I really prefer using phillips or allens where possible and will change screws where I can when I can. I really really dislike flatheads.

I can't agree here more. Would someone like to tell me why they even produce Flatheads still?? Is there any real benefit to them?

I will try getting a 1/2inch flathead screwdriver and deepening the groove with my Dremel tool and give an update this evening if I got it or not. Talk about a headache!! Just when I thought I was out of the woods....

 

[JMRuth72]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

Once you get it out you might try going to ACE and see about getting a suitable replacement that will be easier in the future. You might be able to find a allen headed set screw type that is big enough with the right threads to fit. A picture would help at that point as I have had to make some bolts work for what I wanted to get away from flathead. With a pic I might be able to offer some suggestions. When you get a 1/2" screwdriver try and get one with a square shank. Get some help, put a wrench on the shank and while trying to turn it smack it a little with a dead blow hammer or rubber mallet. If you don't have one of those any good hammer will work you just don't want to hit too hard as you could crack the case or destroy the screwdriver. Good luck I don't envy you as I have been there done that and didn't enjoy it.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

You are exactly correct with Murphy's Law, that "things will go wrong in any given situation, if you give them a chance."

Moral of the story, NEVER go 4 years without changing the lu oil, let alone checking on it.

Im sure a 1/2 flathead with a square shank will crank her loose, good luck.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

If you have a hand held vacuum pump for brake jobs, you could run a tube down the vent hole and pump out the old hypoid oil...it's like 80-90W marine lube, right? Then pump it full of new. Temporary insurance until you get the drain screw out. I would use a bigger impact bit, some penetrating oil overnight and keep my fingers crossed. I've also seen folks spot weld a nut on those (small one) and then turn it off/out with a wrench...have to know your welding though.

 

[wheyl]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

I got it done. Had to use the dremel to deepen the slot and get a good grip.

FYI- For those 2 previous posters who alluded to me being negligent (ie not changing the oil in 4 years), I said in the first post that the motor is a hand-me-down that was sitting up for the last several years. In other words, I just recently got the motor and it was not mine before to perform maintenance on. I take great care of the things that are mine, so Murphys Law does not happen because I bring it on myself as insinuated in the previous post.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

Great work getting it out without stripping the threads. Somebody makes a replacement plug with an allen head. I'll see what I can find and let you know. Maybe somebody else has a link and can post it. Good luck!

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

Sorry wheyl, I did not mention you in my post, was just making a general comment about the importance of maintainence.

Glad you got it!

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

Found a Tempo Products item #170340 with 3/16" allen head but it may only be for Volvo. West Marine online says they sell the Tempo plugs in stores only but did not give motor/item numbers. I know that I have seen them in stores here.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

Tempo makes one for johnyrudes too.

 

[Lodgepole]

Re: Stuck lower unit drain screw!!

I hate to burst your bubble BUT if it has been sitting for some years with an unknown maintenance history, I wouldn't think of taking it out for a run without first replacing the impeller and probably the thermostat. You sure don't want to toast it.