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Drain plug refuses to loosen

R

rcahill31

Regular Contributor
The water drain screw on the stb side for the outdrive refuses to loosen after trying air tool, easy out after drilling throught the screw, are any solvents that may help to loosen the screw?, never tried any heat yet, any suggestions?, the drive is a 1988 cobra
 
water drain?
The drive is self draining of water as long as it is stored in the lowered position.


do you mean oil?
 
thank you Hy, My book on the drive said to remove the screws and raise the drive and lower it with the vent plugs out to make sure all water is out,, the one screw would not come out so I added anti-freeze into the vent just taking all precautions, also added anti freeze into the supply tube coming from the drive, so it should be alright, I would still like to remove the screw but I do not any damage to the drive either, if it drains as you say then I will just fill the screw with a sealant next spring
 
I always took mine out every year but to be honest there was never more than a trickle that used to come out. As a precaution I would add a little anti-freeze down the pipe inside the transom where the hose attaches that feeds the t-stat. I could usually see a bit of green coming out the vent holes. I used to put a bit of grease on them before putting them back in which paid off the next year.
 
For those really tough to remove screws, including the OMC lube drain/fill holes, I've used my hand impact driver. You strike the tool with a hammer and that also rotates the crew at the same time. It never fails me. Just be careful not to over-do.
 
Hi Bob, I put anti freeze in the hose from the t-stat and I feel there is protection, it is the drain plug I wanted to remove but it is stuck, my neighbor who was a millwright and has all the tools could not loosen it either, we tried the hand impact driver and one with air but no soap, so I will proably forget it and keep the others greased up, thank you Bob, Hy, and n2831t junior member
 
Where is this water drain plug screw your all talking about ? Something really went over my head here. Thanks.
 
cobra outdrive has one on the port side near the top toward the transom, and on the std., side a vent toward the transom near the top and below that is the drain screw.
 
I have always removed those 3 plugs too, I have found that nothing comes out of the 2 on the starboard side but water does come out of the single one on the port side, I'm not sure if it's enough that it would crack the housing if it did not drain though. I put marine grease on those plugs and I have never had trouble getting them out even though my boat sits in salt water 6 months of the year...OMC/Bombardier Triple Guard grease on the threads, or OMC Gasket Sealer, either one is very good in salt water
 
Thanks for the info Guys and if I ever go back up to North WI and have to winterize a Cobra again I'll remember this. Never knew about it. Been in FL for 21 yrs so I think the chances of that are slim. Thanks Again.
 
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