lower unit drain plug

[Slick fishing]

Hey guys and gals I have a new Yamaha 90hp outboard 4 stroke and I cant get the bottom drain plug out of the lower unit.. I can get the upper one out just not the bottom one.. I have always been able to use a big screw driver to get them loose but not this time, do you guys have any ideas on how I can get it loose with a diffrent tool maybe, so I can change the fluid.. Cya Slick

[cointoss]

I know I have always had the same problem with the lower plugs so here is what I do. Try and find a screwdriver that matches the screw slot and carefully tap the screwdriver with a small ballpeen hamer. Just lightly tap, since lower units are expensive, and usually the plug will then turn out.

[schaaed1]

You need an impact driver. This will accept various phillips & slotted bits and usually 3/8" sockets. You place the slotted (in your case) bit into the screw and firmly tap on the end of the driver. As you tap on the driver, the impact pushes the bit firmly into the screw head AND it ratchets the bit counter clockwise at the same time.

Just opened up a lower unit from a Johnson 5.5 horse that had been sealed up for 43 years. A couple taps on each screw and it was history. Since the driver drives the bit into the head, there is less chance of buggering up the screw head vs a screw driver and some type of cheater (aka vise grips).

Hope this helps,

Ed

[DangerDan]

Clamp a pair of vice grips to the screwdriver with a good fit on the slot, hold the handle firm and use the vice grips to turn the screw driver. It may seem strange but if you put your weight into it it and push hard enough it may work. Get a new drain plug.

[Hunt4Ever]

I found that replacing them makes them quite a bit easier to remove. I have the same motor and have not had any problems.

[The Whale]

Go with schaaed1 and get an impact driver set. This will not be the only time you'll use it, trust me. Handy item to have around. Don't take a chance with your lower end on your outboard. ;)

[TONGA]

get an impact driver set" yea what he said,,,this is one handy tool you will find yourself using it a lot for any old nasty looking screw and they are great for those lower unit plugs....you will wonder how you ever got by without it.

[Jason Adam]

You can pick up an impact driver for under $10 if you look around.(And theyre a great tool to have on hand..) Monkeying Vice grips around a screw drive is a great way to trash a drain plug, or better, impail a flat screw driver into your leg... :yikes:

[FishTales]

You got another vote on the impact driver.
This is your best bet.
Rich

[tdejong302]

If you haven't gotten it out yet by an impact wrench, screw driver hammer combo. Try an easy out. I had the same problem. Tried all of the above and resorted to an easy out. I drill out the screw to fit the easy out fitting. Used the smallest fitting so the screw still had the grove. Got it started with the easy out and threaded it back in with a screw driver later. As long as you take your time it goes smoothly and you don't destroy the screw. :dizzy:

[waterfoul]

If you haven't gotten it out yet by an impact wrench, screw driver hammer combo. Try an easy out. I had the same problem. Tried all of the above and resorted to an easy out. I drill out the screw to fit the easy out fitting. Used the smallest fitting so the screw still had the grove. Got it started with the easy out and threaded it back in with a screw driver later. As long as you take your time it goes smoothly and you don't destroy the screw. :dizzy:

So you drilled a hole in your drain plug. Used an easy out to get it out. Then put it back in? Those plugs are cheap, I'd have gotten a new one for sure. In fact, I keep a spare handy all the time.

[FishTales]

Those plugs are cheap.
:yeahthat: About $ 3.99 at West Marine or BOAT/US

[gilly]

Get your brother in law over there and let him reef on the screwdriver while you push it in from the end to hold it into the slot- those gorilla paws should do the trick.

Let me know if that doesn't work and I will bring over my torch..... :evilsmile

[waterfoul]

Funny thing... a guy here at work asked my Friday "how do I get my stuck lower unit drain plugs out?" I immediatly thought of this thread and told him to go buy an impact screw driver! And two new plugs.

[Hotwired]

Spray with PB blaster and hit with a propane torch and it will come right out.

[Slick fishing]

Well guys thanks for all the ideas but I ended up beating the he%# out of it and buying a new plug.. I am going to get one of them impact driver next chance I get.. Cya Slick

[TONGA]

I think an impact driver will save you a lot of grief in the future and not just for drain plugs