Best way to destroy the cleanout plug?

[Rufio]

Newb here bought a used 2011 SX240. Everything's fine except for the cleanout plugs. I have a feeling the previous owner never took em out. I've tried every trick in the book in trying to remove them. From car jacks to ratchets tied to beams. I have decided I'm going to destroy them and buy new ones. What's the best method for breaking em up in the manhole? I think I will try to remove the screws from the top and see where that gets me. Then I will get a big a$$ drill and drill away till it crumbles onto itself, being careful not to hit the walls of the manhole cover.

Thoughts?
Lol what a first post for me into this forum!

 

[Babin Farms]

Welcome fellow Illinois member!! Have you tried to jack from the bottom side to push them up? Filled the holes with ice and let sit for hours then try? If you are going to destroy them I would at least try to take the screws out and save the tops, springs & pins.

 

[WREKS]

Those are the push in kind? Do the levers release? I assume you tried vinegar, Dawn, and vegetable oil letting them soak around the flat o rings. I also assume you tried tapping them downward with a 2x4 and rubber mallet?

 

[osteodoc08]

I’d use some penetrating oil and try to remove it correctly first.

 

[Julian]

Lots of people have battled stuck plugs! Definitely want to try all options before destroying the lower halfs. If they won't budge you should have no issue removing the top halves so that all you destroy is the lower half that comes with the manhole repair kit anyway.

Of course check the FAQ for how to tackle this!

https://jetboaters.net/faq/#faq-17

 

[Ronnie]

As @Julian alluded to, if all else fails destroy the bottom half of the plug to remove it and replace them with a repair/refurbish kits that Julian provided a link to. They should cost under $50 each. If you remove the 8 screws holding the plug together the top half of the plugs should come out easily, just be sure not to lose the spring exposed when the plug is split open. One the bottom half is exposed you should be able to take a drill and reciprocating saw to it to get it out. You may find that the previous owner glued them in place. Good luck.

P.s. now would be a good time to install the clips available from @Cobra Jet Steering LLC as well to help prevent blowouts and the possible loss of a plug to a blow out.

 

[Rufio]

Thanks for the quick replies!... Yup on the ice trick. Been there done that. I didn't have much success with attacking the plug from underneath the boat. Mostly because it's curved so I could never get a good hit on it and plus I was afraid of hitting the jet prop. Anyways after 3 days of sweat attacking this thing I gave up and ordered brand new ones. I found em for only $199 each. So I ordered 2 and decided to skip the rebuilds.... Maiden voyage this weekend with the stuck plugs!

 

[ZGhost]

You need to be extremely careful not to damage where the plug dog ears engage in inside the manhole cavity, if you do, game over. You will go from a situation where you have stuck plugs but can still boat to a very expensive repair and can’t use your boat until repairs are complete.

Be extremely careful approaching this battle and think it thru thoroughly.

also, how do you have 82 points with only 3 posts? I need to learn how to do that : )

 

[F.M.]

I vote for an air chisel and 175 psi pushing it.

Just get a video of the process.

 

[Babin Farms]

I vote for an air chisel and 175 psi pushing it.

Just get a video of the process.

I’m thinking a 1/4 stick might do the trick, deffinetly need Vifro in that case

 

[Rufio]

also, how do you have 82 points with only 3 posts? I need to learn how to do that : )

Yeah I don’t know how the points work. But maybe because I joined the forum in 2014 but didn’t end up buying my boat till 2020... lol.

 

[sunbyrned]

I think drilling with an extension as @Julian suggested would be what I might try to break it up. If it is glued in, I wonder if a dremel with a flexible shaft could help grind out the remaining plastic and glue? Here's a link. Just a thought. IDK

 

[Julian]

You need to be extremely careful not to damage where the plug dog ears engage in inside the manhole cavity, if you do, game over. You will go from a situation where you have stuck plugs but can still boat to a very expensive repair and can’t use your boat until repairs are complete.

Be extremely careful approaching this battle and think it thru thoroughly.

also, how do you have 82 points with only 3 posts? I need to learn how to do that : )

Yeah.....you get points on your anniversary. You can always look up how people earned points in their profile just click on the points:

 

[ZGhost]

Yeah.....you get points on your anniversary. You can always look up how people earned points in their profile just click on the points:

Aaaaaah ........ makes sense, thank you Julian!

 

[Julian]

Aaaaaah ........ makes sense, thank you Julian!

I am going to have to go and check the trophy point system because I could have sworn I had it set to only give Anniversary points if you had posted in the last x months. Not that it's a big deal....

 

[Speedling]

So my plugs were stuck and last night i got one loose by unlocking the dogs and running around the lake till it shot out. Still hot one stuck though

 

[Babin Farms]

So my plugs were stuck and last night i got one loose by unlocking the dogs and running around the lake till it shot out. Still hot one stuck though

When we the last time they were out?

 

[Emanuel]

I tried iced, oil... This is what worked for me. 12ton jack, nylon rope (do not use any rope that stretch) and a 2x6 lumber. Those stuff I had around the house, any other sizes may work. Make sure plug is not locked. Good luck.

 

[Speedling]

When we the last time they were out?

Prolly last august.

 

[Babin Farms]

Prolly last august.

Dang!! I feel bad when I forget to remove mine after each outing.
I like the bottle jack idea for pulling them. Just have to listen for cracking with too much pressure