Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

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BigDog98

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Need help!! I tried to take out the drain plug from the bottom of the boat and the plug was seized on there and was not planning on coming out anytime soon! What should i do! I need to open it up to drain all the water from the bilge before the very cold weather comes in and starts to freeze the water in the bilge. Any techniques you guys may have for me for seized plugs! Now remember i can torch it and i can brake it off hence the soft metal and i would like to reuse it again LOL ! Thanks for any advice! :happy::cool:
 
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Fun Times

Fun Times

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Re: Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

If it's a brass drain plug, remove the three screws holding on the base and carefully pry it off the boat would be one option to consider.
 
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BigDog98

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Re: Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

Fun Times said:
If it's a brass drain plug, remove the three screws holding on the base and carefully pry it off the boat would be one option to consider.
Click to expand...

well i don't think its a brass plug but there are no screws there!
 
Fun Times

Fun Times

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Re: Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

BigDog98 said:
well i don't think its a brass plug but there are no screws there!
Click to expand...
Maybe you could Google search boat drain plugs and post a link to your style drain plug?
 
T_Herrod

T_Herrod

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Re: Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

Does the head of the plug protrude below the drain or is it recessed? You could try rapping on it with a hammer to jar it loose. Just saw your link. I would use a 12 to 15 inch adjustable wrench or an 8 point socket and long breaker bar. Good luck.
 
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rallyart

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Re: Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

Heat from a propane torch or a soldering iron might help. Be careful of the fibreglass or surrounding metal. An impact to break it loose can help. Put a snug wrench on it and hold it there. Then pound the other end of the wrench with a hammer to give it an impact load.
It's a pipe thread so it gets looser by a lot as soon as it starts to move.
 
Scott Danforth

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Re: Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

dont use heat if its fiberglass.

first, is this a garboard plug at the back of the boat. if so, there should be a few screws holding in the flange. same goes for a bottom hull plug.

having a square head, I would grab one of my sockets for square heads, put the breaker on it and grunt it out. worse case, drill it out and retap the threads.
 
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BigDog98

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Re: Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

T_Herrod said:
Does the head of the plug protrude below the drain or is it recessed? You could try rapping on it with a hammer to jar it loose. Just saw your link. I would use a 12 to 15 inch adjustable wrench or an 8 point socket and long breaker bar. Good luck.
Click to expand...

To be honest i dont even know! But i already did that. I took a 36incher breaker bar with a metric size socket and it still would no budge. I even used a impact drill and still nothing. I thought about getting my air driver on it but was afraid of breaking the plug.
 
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BigDog98

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Re: Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

Scott Danforth said:
dont use heat if its fiberglass.

first, is this a garboard plug at the back of the boat. if so, there should be a few screws holding in the flange. same goes for a bottom hull plug.

having a square head, I would grab one of my sockets for square heads, put the breaker on it and grunt it out. worse case, drill it out and retap the threads.
Click to expand...

Yea i was not planning on applying heat. I will maybe try and drill to drill it out. Wish me luck
 
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crabby captain john

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Re: Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

Start with small hole and increase after each attempt to break it loose. Drilling may add enough heat to help. Why be afraid of breaking the plug at this point?
 
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BigDog98

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Re: Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

crabby captain john said:
Start with small hole and increase after each attempt to break it loose. Drilling may add enough heat to help. Why be afraid of breaking the plug at this point?
Click to expand...

well if the plug brakes then screw it!! LOL you see what i did there. What i am more afraid of is cracking the fiberglass. You have to remember the drilling anything that is below the water line is always scary!
 
T_Herrod

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Re: Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

When you do finally get this thing out remember to apply anti seize to the new one before putting it in. This will help you next year when it's time to remove it again. Also remember that a pipe thread is tapered and if it's put in to tight it will be a bear to get back out.
 
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BigDog98

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Re: Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

T_Herrod said:
When you do finally get this thing out remember to apply anti seize to the new one before putting it in. This will help you next year when it's time to remove it again. Also remember that a pipe thread is tapered and if it's put in to tight it will be a bear to get back out.
Click to expand...

Nothing a few beers cant take care of ! :)
 
Watermann

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Re: Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

I would shoot some liquid wrench or PB on it and tomorrow use your air powered rattle gun to remove it.
 
smokeonthewater

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Re: Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

if this plug is on the BOTTOM of the boat try crawling underneath and looking for the screws there
 
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Silly Seville

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Re: Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

jayhanig said:
If you can't use heat, can you use cold? Here's a possibility.
Click to expand...

Not to hijack this thread...but that Freeze Off stuff is truly an incredible product. I thought PB Blaster was king until I got turned on to the CRC product. That stuff melts rust right before your eyes. It's dang expensive, and has an odor that will knock you on your donkey if you breathe too deeply near its effective range; but boy does it make a mockery of stuck fasteners. I highly recommend it.
 
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Home Cookin'

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Re: Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

I would worry about too much force cracking the fiberglass or at least creating a leak. But when you're *** deep in alligators you forget you came to drain the swamp!

obnce it's out be sure what you replace it with is the same metal. This is also a reason to remove the plug (like any fitting) occasionally even if you don't need to, especially in salt water. I know that doesn't apply for a boat left in the water but it should come out sometime.

Maybe a pipe wrench will get the grip. Whatever you use, you eventually round off the end unfortuneately.
 
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BigDog98

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Re: Drain Plug Seized? (HELP)

Yes for sure! Especially marine applications because most of the time the bolts are rusted through out and wont come out on there own.
 
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