Need help -snapped head off of exhaust drain brass screw

[Cyberosmos]

Hi!
I need some advice here.
I have a mercruiser 3.0 -98.
I'm in the process of winterisation of the engine and as I was opening the drain plug for the exhaust it was completely rounded whereas I took a large plier and the head of the brass screw subsequently broke off.

My question :
Should I get the drill and try to get the remainders out of there ?

Or should I leave it there, but the problem then would be that I can't drain it fully anymore.

Thanks !!

/Martin


Mercruiser 3.0
Draco 2000dc

 

[Grub54891]

Drill it, start small, work you're way up till you have it close to the threads, run a tap through and install a new plug.

 

[Cyberosmos]

Thank you, I will try that!!

 

[tlewis1]

Ya...Just what Grub said, if you leave the issue you'll just have to deal with next season. Hopefull it comes out ok for you sometimes they can be a real pain.....Good Luck!

 

[Volphin]

PB blaster is your friend in a situation like this, and so is a small propane torch. Soak it for a few days, then put some heat to it.

 

[Rick Stephens]

I just did one in a 4.3L riser. It was in the way of taking the valve covers off and I didn't realize the stupid brass plug was made hollow. It snapped off flush with minimal applied force. It also drilled out with the right size drill to fit the tap, and then tapped out like new in a matter of a couple minutes. I picked up some solid brass plug replacements. Along with a wrap of teflon tape, that should solve the problem long term.

Rick

 

[Cyberosmos]

Thank you all here
I'll give it a go with a small drill bit first and then a larger one.

 

[Bondo]

Thank you all here
I'll give it a go with a small drill bit first and then a larger one.

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... Get a set of Easy-Outs, drill an 1/8" hole in the remains, 'n drive the small easy-out in, 'n turn,....
Hopefully it'll come right out,...
If not, move to the next bigger easy-out,...

You can get replacements at yer local hardware store, plain ole brass pipe plugs,...
It's either a 1/8" pipe(7/16" wrench), or 1/4" pipe(9/16" wrench),...

 

[Cyberosmos]

Great!!
Thanks for the welcome.
I'm new to inboards and eager to learn.

 

[Rick Stephens]

I've not seen the easy-out method work all that well with brass plugs in a cast hole. The tighter the easy-out gets, the more expansion you get on the brass plug into those rough threads in porous cast iron. Breaking off the easy-out is really likely.

For the same cost, getting a tap for the size hole, probably 1/8th pipe thread in a 3L manifold, drilling the brass plug out with the drill size indicated on the tap, and inserting the tap into the hole to clean the leftover brass out the thread will work every time. Getting a broken easy-out out of a brass plug is a bear.

RIck

 

[thumpar]

How much is showing outside of the hole? If there is some you could try heat, PB blaster and some vise grips.