summerization-engine drain plus

[ottawarider]

Hi. So after a long winter it is time for my first summerization... I got the impeller all done. but here is the problem...

I went to put the engine block plugs back in and can only manage to get them in half way or so. Anyone else have this problem? Also, when looking in my ziploc with all thr stuff i took out I found 3 similiar plugs although 2 were the same and one was a bit longer... any idea what it could be from?

so questions are

1) why wont the engine block plugs go all the way in?
2) why would an extra similiar looking plug have come from?

Thanks!

Brian

[deerfield]

Brian - What model and year boat? Also, which engine? - Deerfield

[WaterBullDawg1980]

Hi. So after a long winter it is time for my first summerization... I got the impeller all done. but here is the problem...

I went to put the engine block plugs back in and can only manage to get them in half way or so. Anyone else have this problem? Also, when looking in my ziploc with all thr stuff i took out I found 3 similiar plugs although 2 were the same and one was a bit longer... any idea what it could be from?

so questions are

1) why wont the engine block plugs go all the way in?
2) why would an extra similiar looking plug have come from?

Thanks!

Brian

Did you coat the threads with Marine grease after you pulled them? May have to clean the holes with a wire brush to get off any deposits that may have formed.

The extra ones may be to your v-drive. Or if it is a much smaller plug, it could go to your muffler.

[KSmith]

It seems apparent that after the long winter of inactivity locked in a baggie they have gained weight and also seem to have bred a new plug. Congrats on the extended plug family. A few more years and you'll have all the spares you could possibly need.

[cab13367]

The plugs won't go in because the holes have developed rust over the winter. As previously mentioned, be sure to coat them with marine grease next time.

There is an easy fix though. Take your block plug and go to a NAPA or similar auto parts store and ask for a thread cleaner in the same size and thread pattern as your block plug. It will look like the pic below. Just buy the one that is the right size. Then spray the hole with WD40 and carefully work the thread cleaner back and forth, turning it clockwise and counterclockwise in turn until the threads are all cleaned out. Do not force it, let the tool do the work. Clean up the rust/WD40 with a rag and your plug so now go right in.

As for the third plug, it could be from the v-drive or the muffler. Which boat do you have?

Al

[Engine Nut]

Hi. So after a long winter it is time for my first summerization... I got the impeller all done. but here is the problem...

I went to put the engine block plugs back in and can only manage to get them in half way or so. Anyone else have this problem? Also, when looking in my ziploc with all thr stuff i took out I found 3 similiar plugs although 2 were the same and one was a bit longer... any idea what it could be from?

so questions are

1) why wont the engine block plugs go all the way in?
2) why would an extra similiar looking plug have come from?

Thanks!

Brian

Those plugs are pipe plugs with tapered threads. They are not meant to go in all the way.The extra plug is probably the drain plug for the transmission cooler.

[DOCDRS]

lots of good posts , can you post a pic of the plugs? boat and motor are important. I doubt it is a tranny plug , prob a vdrive plug but its all a guessing game, I had a tough time putting my block plugs in and re threaded them as cab stated and now put antisieze on them, but after i drain the block I reinstall them and all the other plugs so its ready to go in the spring. Why leave them out ? Its not like any substantial amount of vapour is going to do anything over the winter.

[ottawarider]

Wow thanks for all the replies!

Deerfield - 2007 outback v with the 325

WaterBullDawg1980 - I put some oil in the threads thinking that would suffice but i will definately remember marine grease next time... The extra one is pretty much the same size as the others just a tad longer and a different inside diameter...

KSmith - thats hilarious!

cab13367 - awesome I will give that a try! I am going to take some pics tomorrow to show the minute difference in appearance between the 2 same plugs and the other similiar one. BTW I used your winterization procedure and it rocked! Thanks! Going back through your thread it only accounted for the 2 engine block plugs so the third one had be baffled. Hopefully the pics I take will help solve this mystery.

Engine Nut - tapered you say? that would make sense. I just couldnt remember if there was that much that didn't go in 8 months ago... I think once i clean out the rust and they still don't go in then I will be at ease!

DOCDRS - Ill definately get some pics up tomorrow aft after work. Thats a good point about reinstalling them right away. So many less things to go wrong. As for the v drive plug I hope thats it!

Again thanks all and pics tomorrow. I kind of expected a few problems with the first winter/de-winterization but its worth it (I hope)

Brian

[DOCDRS]

hey I'm in ontario as well maybe we can hook up when i come down to ottawa for the nationals track

[cab13367]

Here's a pic of mine. It's a 1/4" pipe tap and yes, it's tapered. I had the same issue the first year I owned the boat so been there, done that. Engine nut is right though - the plug is tapered so it will not go in all the way.

Glad the winterization procedure helped you out.

Al