Not another cleanout plug issue!

[therealjade63]

As many of you have already learned. I myself have learned the hard way about cleanout plug maintenance. I got the old plugs out and bought the rebuild kits, and for the life of me I can not get them to drop back in. Ive tried a scotchbright pad and ive tried wet sanding the port to no avail. I even tried a wire wheel. These plugs are a fat 1/4in off from going in. I started to take apart the tubes to get a better look, but those are putting up a hell of a fight. Has anybody had this issue of not being able to drop these in? Am I missing something here?

 

[DRAT]

yes, i had big problems. make sure you have the o-ring (rubber) correct-side up and don't overtighten the screws. the diameter of the rubber portion should be the same as the hard plastic above it. can you post a photo of one of them?

 

[DRAT]

i would almost guarantee you have a problem with the way you reassembled the plugs, specifically the o-ring.

 

[therealjade63]

i would almost guarantee you have a problem with the way you reassembled the plugs, specifically the o-ring.

Idk. It’s pretty straight forward on undoing 8 screws and re installing 8 screws. I’ve took them apart a couple of times now. Even just snugged the screws in instead of tightening them. Still no go. I will snap a pic and post it though. But right now I’ll try anything... again.

 

[DRAT]

Idk. It’s pretty straight forward on undoing 8 screws and re installing 8 screws. I’ve took them apart a couple of times now. Even just snugged the screws in instead of tightening them. Still no go. I will snap a pic and post it though. But right now I’ll try anything... again.

I thought the same thing. And I was doing all of the same things, sanding the tubes, steel wool, the works. If those o-rings are flared out relative to the hard plastic above them they are assembled incorrectly. If they are flush with the plastic they will drop right in. I was ready to buy new plugs at $300 each just to be done with it. Then I got those o-rings seated correctly and it was like magic. No more problem. Hang in there, you are close to the solution!

 

[therealjade63]

i would almost guarantee you have a problem with the way you reassembled the plugs, specifically the o-ring.

Just got home and went back through the motions from step one. I now sit here in wonderment of my own stupidity. This is why I re quoted drats thought. I get home and take the plug apart and it freakin hits me
“hey dumbass, you installed the o ring upside down”!!! In all honesty I was ready to start dismantling this thing down to the impeller. Thanks Drat for making me take a closer look at my own work. Sometimes it is just that simple.

 

[DRAT]

Just got home and went back through the motions from step one. I now sit here in wonderment of my own stupidity. This is why I re quoted drats thought. I get home and take the plug apart and it freakin hits me
“hey dumbass, you installed the o ring upside down”!!! In all honesty I was ready to start dismantling this thing down to the impeller. Thanks Drat for making me take a closer look at my own work. Sometimes it is just that simple.

Nice!! Feels good, right??!!

 

[DRAT]

If there are any mods reading this who could add a warning to the faq link about paying attention to which way those o-rings go I think it could help someone in the future. I caught myself making the same mistake during my tribulations. There are no diagrams or instructions included with those rebuild “kits” which are not really kits at all.

 

[therealjade63]

Nice!! Feels good, right??!!

Yes, especially since I’m trying to sell the boat. I was showing it to a couple out on the river. I tried to show them how easy it was to do the cleanouts. Long story short, I had to come back to the marina with one engine. Things like that hamper a sale when your asking 50+ for a boat. Thanks again

 

[RBC3]

Sorry to jump in on this thread, but what leads you to rebuild? I have water coming over one of my plugs semi regularly the past few weekends, and I wondered if I need a new O-ring? I never is the same each time.

 

[scokill]

Sorry to jump in on this thread, but what leads you to rebuild? I have water coming over one of my plugs semi regularly the past few weekends, and I wondered if I need a new O-ring? I never is the same each time.

Water on top of plugs it normal. Rebuild is due to folks leaving their plugs installed all the time....especially with water sitting on top of them. They swell. Also using some types of lubricant causes the swelling too...or a combination. If your plugs don't slip in and out easily without some sort of lubricant then you need to consider rebuilding.