Blue water plugs on Mercury Motors

[bfrank]

Any one else ever have a problem with the blue water drain plugs on the engine?? I always back them out after winterizing the boat to make sure I have anti freeze at each one, and this year the one on the bottom left of the block by the knock sensor went in crooked. So I got it in and tucked her in for her winter sleep...........last weekend I go to replace it and the thing breaks off. Man you want to talk about a pain to get out after its broken off!!!! It's a real knuckle breaker.

I was wondering if you could replace them with brass ones??

[Boarder_X]

I'm a computer engineer, not a mechanical engineer, but I think the reason they are not brass, is because brass expands differently than the iron of the block. The plastic, becausee it is so soft, just gets pushed around. My thing is that if you motor never gets hot, (you never blow out an impeller, and then drive across the lake). You motor should not get hot enough to cause a problem.

Just my dumb uninformed opinon. Sorry for not being any help.

Robb

[bfrank]

The fitting that the blue plug screwes into is brass, that is why I though brass might be an option. On my dads old Chris Crafts they always had some type of metal (be it brass or other metal) that are the petcocks for the water drains. Just looking to get some expert advice if they could be swaped out??? Tige MD or Lee...........do you guys have an opinion???

[dogbert]

I don't think brass would seal as well as plastic. The plastic ones are pretty inexpensive to replace. The key is knowing when to replace them.

Perhaps getting the life expectency of these would solve a lot of the problems...kinda like the impeller...replace it every so often whether it needs it or not.

[bfrank]

That sound like a good idea. Too bad they charge $3.65 a piece for the little buggers. Changing them is still easier than having one break off.

[dogbert]

Originally posted by bfrank
Too bad they charge $3.65 a piece for the little buggers. Changing them is still easier than having one break off.

My thoughts exactly. There are 6 in my boat...newer models are down to 2.

[bfrank]

Wow how do they get it down to 2 ??? I would be too nervous that water would still be in the motor after winterizing it. Where are the located on the new motors??

[dogbert]

One on the engine block and one below the water pump (I think). Maybe Lee can provide some insight. I'm just going from memory...being senior and all, that makes any info from me a little suspect

[bfrank]

The red arrow is where the plug is that broke off.

[dogbert]

Not sure how it could have been worse, except for maybe the one below the engine block on the other side.

[lee]

The Merc engines now have four blue plugs to remove and the M-P has two silver/blue plugs and either three, four or five brass plugs. Sometimes the plastic plugs become brittle and will break and you could then change them over to a brass plug that should be available at a auto parts store.

[dogbert]

I stand corrected...

[NICKYPOO]

$3.65 a piece! Yikes. I just bought a new set this year, I think they were like $1.25 or something each.

[DCon]

I too just broke a blue plug tonight. $1.25 seems better than $3.65, since I will probally replace all of them. does anyone have a good source for them?

[chpthril]

I too just broke a blue plug tonight. $1.25 seems better than $3.65, since I will probally replace all of them. does anyone have a good source for them?

Haven't had to replace any so I don't know, but glad to see you decided to post. Welcome to the forum and post some pics of your ride when you get a chance