plastic drain plug snapped off

[tugger]

Hi, I have 2 350 mag mpi engines in my 2007 320 sundancer. While climbing into the bilge I hit one of those cheap plastic drain plug and the head flew off leaving the body with the screws and it looks like a hole in the middle still in place. I'm sure this has happened a lot and I'm looking for the best way to remove it since there is nothing to grab. I'm also wondering if it's kind of melted in there a little bit since it's plastic sitting close to a hot engine. Appreciate your help

 

[Lazy Daze]

Those blue plugs are actually quite robust for plastic (which combats galvanic corrosion and are easy to remove). But, yes, they do need to be replaced every so often - consider it a maintenance item.

BUT, to answer your question... if you bumped it getting into the bilge it must be a pretty easily accessible plug, which means removal should be really easy. It's plastic so that helps tremendously to get it out. You can use a punch or scredriver and a hammer... if there's enough remaining you can cut a slot in a 1/2" deep socket and jamb that on there... you heat up a large screwdriver and stick it into the plastic to make a "slot". Really, though, there's probably at least a half dozen things you could try.

Someone will respond with the exact brand, but there's a company that makes SS replacements. Personally, I still prefer the plastic ones - but the SS ones are fine.

 

[Blueone]

Yes heat up screwdriver or use an easy out if stuck

 

[wyrman]

Hardin Marine makes the stainless ones.

 

[Fill Ess]

Did one of the ears break off this this?

 

[Fill Ess]

I've had a couple of them get stuck to the point where I needed to put pliers on them, and the entire head snapped off up to the o-ring. Then it's an EZ-out

 

[Starting Over]

I’ve used the stainless Hardin plugs for years on my previous 5.7. Great product imo. Had too many of the plastic ones fail or cross thread when draining down several times per cold season..