I need your help with a screw!

[khaki06]

Hello everyone, Im frustrated and I need your help. I have an Evinrude XP100 and Im trying to check/change the lube in the lower unit but the top screw is stuck! Im not a weak guy but this screw will not budge. I have tried and tried with a 3/8th screwdriver, which is the right size, but it will not budge. The motor is in great shape with no corrosion and penetrating oil has not helped. Any ideas, im trying to hit the lake this Friday, Thanks in advance for any help provided.

Thanks again!

 

[Happyfingers]

Re: I need your help with a screw!

try heating it up with a blowtorch
dont over do it

heat it up then let it cool

but im only guessing

use extreme caution if taking my advice because i am by no means an expert, im just a hack who has tried this and it worked once before

 

[jasper60103]

Re: I need your help with a screw!

angle your screw driver in the slot off center, then tap with hammer to make the screw rotate counter-clockwise.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: I need your help with a screw!

Forget the crude techniques. Get a hammer driver (rotates on impact). Almost always works without damaging anything and not terribly expensive. Tool should be < $20 and very effective. Looks like this:

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=hammer+driver&Submit=Go

or this for top quality

http://www.mytoolstore.com/klein/70220.html

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: I need your help with a screw!

First get some new screws. Personally I like the hex drive ones shown here. Make sure you get new nylon washers as well. Then you can attack the old ones as necessary. Tap them loose with a center pop and hammer or a small chisel. Does not matter if you destroy the heads in the process as you are putting them straight into the garbage once they are out. An impact driver is also an option as well.

 

[Numlaar]

Re: I need your help with a screw!

Forget the crude techniques. Get a hammer driver (rotates on impact). Almost always works without damaging anything and not terribly expensive. Tool should be < $20 and very effective. Looks like this:

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=hammer+driver&Submit=Go

or this for top quality

http://www.mytoolstore.com/klein/70220.html

Have to agree with this one... being an auto tech for 20 years, this is a very very handy tool to have when you need it... the impact and twist action almost always pops those stubborn screws... especially with all screws on a boat motor!

 

[mars bar]

Re: I need your help with a screw!

Once I used a 4-way lug wrench that had a large flat screwdriver on one end(I guess for popping off hubcaps) You can put some pretty good torque on it.

 

[bkwapisz]

Re: I need your help with a screw!

First get some new screws. Personally I like the hex drive ones shown here. Make sure you get new nylon washers as well. Then you can attack the old ones as necessary. Tap them loose with a center pop and hammer or a small chisel. Does not matter if you destroy the heads in the process as you are putting them straight into the garbage once they are out. An impact driver is also an option as well.

Hey Ken where did you source those plugs with the Hex heads?

Brian.

 

[jonesg]

Re: I need your help with a screw!

Have to agree with this one... being an auto tech for 20 years, this is a very very handy tool to have when you need it... the impact and twist action almost always pops those stubborn screws... especially with all screws on a boat motor!

No doubt about it, anyone who wrenches knows these work great.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: I need your help with a screw!

Hey Ken where did you source those plugs with the Hex heads?

Brian.

Get them right from the dealership. Not cheap but worth every penny as they are so user friendly. Make sure you get one of them with the magnet on it though.
Buy a bag of the nylon washers while you are there as well. That way it takes a lot of seasons before you need them again.

 

[khaki06]

Re: I need your help with a screw!

Thank you all for the help. One more question? The screw wouldn't happen to be reverse thread would it? Thanks,

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: I need your help with a screw!

Thank you all for the help. One more question? The screw wouldn't happen to be reverse thread would it? Thanks,

no....

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: I need your help with a screw!

Buy a bag of the nylon washers while you are there as well. That way it takes a lot of seasons before you need them again.

Provided you can remember where you put them last fall so you would be sure to find them in the spring....

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: I need your help with a screw!

Forget the crude techniques. Get a hammer driver (rotates on impact). Almost always works without damaging anything and not terribly expensive. Tool should be < $20 and very effective. Looks like this:

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=hammer+driver&Submit=Go

or this for top quality

http://www.mytoolstore.com/klein/70220.html

Don't buy the Harbor Freight one.

For $7 that Harbor Freight one looks like a good deal.

I bought one specifically for the task mentioned in this thread. I couldn't get the lower plug to budge and some else had already partially stripped it.

Long story short, the bits supplied with the Harbor Freight tool are so cheap that 2 out 3 flat heads broke on the 2nd hit. Luckily I only needed one more good hit and the 3rd one got the job done, but, it deformed enough that it is no longer useable.

Now you can always get better bits. However, if they are that cheap how much longer is the rest of the tool going to last?

Regardless it is absolutely the right tool for the job.

 

[ab1]

Re: I need your help with a screw!

I have an impact driver but I'm usually too lazy to dig for it. These two options may work for you, they've worked for me.

1. 3/8" screwdriver will usually have an area below the handle that you can put a wrench on. Usually provides enough leverage to break it loose.

2. You can also try turning the screwdriver while tapping the end of the handle with a hammer. Don't hit it too hard...doesn't take much to decompress the threads while you are turning and it will break free. Same principal as an impact driver.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: I need your help with a screw!

BTW, I don't buy anything from Harbor Freight. The tool shown just happened to be one of the first to pop up from a Google search. Most of my tools are Proto, SnapOn, etc. My own rotary driver came from Sears many years ago and has been used literally 100's of times, almost always with total success.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: I need your help with a screw!

Oh My God. I just had to see this one. I don't think your wife would be too happy with this.