Clean out plug doesn't fit

[Chad Sears]

I just purchased a new AR 195. Took it out on the water Saturday to break it in and I couldn't figure out why I couldn't get over 10 mph. Finally remember to check the plug and it was not locked into place. Spent a ton of time on the water trying to get it to lock in only to find out what I thought was a good seal wasn't. At about 7000 rpm it broke free and busted the latches on the cover and killed the engine and broke the piston holding it up. I was able to get it lodged in place a tiny bit again but can't get it all the way locked. I have an appt to get it into the dealer over an hour away next week, but i was curious if anyone else was having any problems with the plug not fitting in the tracks to lock into place on their boats?

 

[swatski]

I just purchased a new AR 195. Took it out on the water Saturday to break it in and I couldn't figure out why I couldn't get over 10 mph. Finally remember to check the plug and it was not locked into place. Spent a ton of time on the water trying to get it to lock in only to find out what I thought was a good seal wasn't. At about 7000 rpm it broke free and busted the latches on the cover and killed the engine and broke the piston holding it up. I was able to get it lodged in place a tiny bit again but can't get it all the way locked. I have an appt to get it into the dealer over an hour away next week, but i was curious if anyone else was having any problems with the plug not fitting in the tracks to lock into place on their boats?

WOW. Sorry to hear that.
So much for an "improvement" the new plug turn-to-lock design was supposed to be...
Do you have pictures?

EDIT: Sorry about the circumstances, but welcome to the community!

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[Bill D]

@Chad Sears "Blowouts" used to be a somewhat common problem for our boats. Yamaha did a complete redesign of the plug to address the problem. Just curious, did your dealer demonstrate how to seat the plug? I have only seen the new plugs at the boat show and have no experience with them on the water. That's a terrible thing to have happen on your first trip out. You're in the right place for support and advice. Lots of knowledge around here.

 

[Chad Sears]

Yes I have played with it a few times at the dealer and boat show. The plug just won't turn. I can see where the posts are rubbing the track. I think I either have a defective track or plug. I was wondering if it was isolated or maybe like a larger recall issue.

 

[Chad Sears]

 

[Bill D]

Forgive me if I'm telling you something you already know, but on the old style plugs, the release has to be pushed while the plug is being seated. Is it the same on the new ones, where the release has to be pushed for the plug to twist?

Also, not overly helpful to your current situation, but you have a perfect excuse to install "slam-latches" on the hatch. http://www.gemlux.com/catalog/2-Non-Locking-Slam (Note, I'm not sure about the size)

 

[Chad Sears]

Forgive me if I'm telling you something you already know, but on the old style plugs, the release has to be pushed while the plug is being seated. Is it the same on the new ones, where the release has to be pushed for the plug to twist?

Also, not overly helpful to your current situation, but you have a perfect excuse to install "slam-latches" on the hatch. http://www.gemlux.com/catalog/2-Non-Locking-Slam (Note, I'm not sure about the size)

There is not a button on the new plugs. There is a tab that lines up with the word set on the plug and then the metal tabs slide in their spot. The set tab makes sure that it can only go in one way. They then turn to lock in place. It is about a 1/3 turn to lock into place but mine will only turn a few degrees and just barely wedges into to the slot.

 

[Bill D]

My bad. I thought there was still a "lock/unlock". I didn't realize it was just the tab.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

hmmmm

 

[Julian]

Took a little playing for me to get comfortable with the new plugs when I was testing them. I can't imagine why it wouldn't lock in....will be curious to see what the end issue turns out to be!

 

[Buoy23]

Where are you located? From the looks of your profile picture you have snow? If i'm correct and you had your boat out in very cold water than this could have affected your plug locking into position. Just a guess though! Good luck and hopefully the dealer will get you fixed up.

 

[Chad Sears]

Where are you located? From the looks of your profile picture you have snow? If i'm correct and you had your boat out in very cold water than this could have affected your plug locking into position. Just a guess though! Good luck and hopefully the dealer will get you fixed up.

The water was 42 degrees not what I would consider very could. I am in the Seattle Tacoma area of Washington State. We got like 10 inches of snow the day after i brought her home. It was a crazy weird fluke. Usually we get an inch or two a year.

I take the boat into the dealer on Tuesday of next week and I will update when I know what the issue is. I really think it will be either a defective plug or the track inside.

 

[gsbrown]

I had to mess with my plug to get it to lock. The handle spins a 1/2 inch on top of the plug. If that handle is turned the wrong way it doesn't want to enter the locking track.

 

[PanamaJet]

The water was 42 degrees not what I would consider very cold.

That is just a few degrees above freezing. Certainly not pleasure boating weather.
Remember that metal contracts in cold temperatures. Perhaps the plugs were never tested in these conditions.

 

[Chad Sears]

That is just a few degrees above freezing. Certainly not pleasure boating weather.
Remember that metal contracts in cold temperatures. Perhaps the plugs were never tested in these conditions.

Thanks for the information. I will see if I can get the plug today now that it has been out of the water for a few days.

 

[Grover70]

I played with mine a few times to make sure it was seated. Had to push it in to get the locks to engage and then push to get out. Spread marine grease around the edges of the plug like instructed and had no problems. Very nice design compared to the old one. Fewer moving parts.

 

[druppert]

I just purchased a new AR 195. Took it out on the water Saturday to break it in and I couldn't figure out why I couldn't get over 10 mph. Finally remember to check the plug and it was not locked into place. Spent a ton of time on the water trying to get it to lock in only to find out what I thought was a good seal wasn't. At about 7000 rpm it broke free and busted the latches on the cover and killed the engine and broke the piston holding it up. I was able to get it lodged in place a tiny bit again but can't get it all the way locked. I have an appt to get it into the dealer over an hour away next week, but i was curious if anyone else was having any problems with the plug not fitting in the tracks to lock into place on their boats?

Did you get an answer to this problem? I initially had a problem getting the plug to lock before I realized that you have to align the arrow with the word "set" on the plug before inserting it so the tabs line up inside the port. Once I figured this out I have had no problems & there's a definitive "snap" when it locks. Best of luck!

 

[Buoy23]

Yes we are all curious to know what the issue was. Thanks

 

[CAM212SS]

let me know if you need another twist latch... i replaced mine with slam latches and still have the originals

 

[jdonalds]

Forgive me if I'm telling you something you already know, but on the old style plugs, the release has to be pushed while the plug is being seated. Is it the same on the new ones, where the release has to be pushed for the plug to twist?

Also, not overly helpful to your current situation, but you have a perfect excuse to install "slam-latches" on the hatch. http://www.gemlux.com/catalog/2-Non-Locking-Slam (Note, I'm not sure about the size)

Interesting. I don't push the release button when installing the plugs.