Stuck cleanout plugs

[aarons1k]

G

Yeah... that sounds like three weeks of chasing people and parts and not being on the water in my new boat. So, I fixed it!

The local stealer had pity on me, tried looking at other non-Yamaha sites to see if he could find a solution and also offered to put them on a press to see if he could straighten them. I got to thinking that everything else on my plugs would eventually need a complete rebuild as well, so when he knocked a significant amount off the price of the two plugs he had in stock I took them. Sometimes time is just worth a whole lot more.

Thanks all, I may rebuild the old ones and see what it'll cost to have new pins machined once we get a hurricane or smthng.

Good thinking and now you are back on the water

 

[txav8r]

Glad you but the bullet and are getting on the water instead of fooling with it. your not the first owner of this boat are you? Wonder how long they have been sticking? Probably pulling on "locked" plugs bent the pins. At any rate, your good to go!

 

[jawsf16]

Now you have two hangar queens to strip parts off if needed! Glad you got it sorted out.

 

[veedubtek]

time > money. Wise choice, sir.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I just realized you were having an issue with the bolts on the dogs, If you look at my video you will note that I replaced those with stainless allen cap bolts for the same reason.

 

[smthng]

Thanks, I'll go through that again. If it looks like I can rebuild them using the same parts, it wouldn't hurt to have a set of spares on hand.

 

[smthng]

Hey @Cobra Jet Steering LLC , just went through your video and couldn't really tell what you did for the dog bolts... was it just a regular allen bolt with a bare shaft and threaded end? Did you use a washer and a nylock nut on the other end, or did you find one what would accept a screw? I'm assuming that pretty much any stainless bolt with an unthreaded shaft would work.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I went to a fastener company with the original bolt and found very long cap bolts that were only threaded on the end, this way the shaft would not have threads where the dogs pivoted. I did not want to damage those holes with threads. then I put on a flat washer and regular nut with thread locking compound , at the end I cut off the extra threads and I was finished with it.

 

[smthng]

Thanks, that's what I was thinking, just wanted to clarify. We have a few places around here I can probably get something from.

 

[619Rocketman]

Hello,
I have a 2000 Yamaha LS 2000.
Both clean out plugs are stuck. I tried the Ice, Lube and hydraulic lift. I did manage to remove the top part of the clean out plugs.
One sheared the pull handle off the other just pulled the screws out of the bottom half. So now I am stuck both literally and figuratively
with the bottom half of the clean plug stuck. Can you give me any tips on how to get them out? What Not To Do would be my first concern.

Thanks

 

[smthng]

...So now I am stuck both literally and figuratively with the bottom half of the clean plug stuck. Can you give me any tips on how to get them out? What Not To Do would be my first concern...

What NOT to do is gouge up the tubes trying to get them out. Just keep that in mind with any further suggestions. Also, for everything I'm about to suggest, you might have to remove the intake grates on the bottom of the boat... I'm not 100% sure for that particular boat. And make sure you don't put pressure on the pump shaft... don't wedge anything against it.

I think it's safe to say that they're not coming out in one piece. You can try to put a jack and 2x4 under the boat to try to push them out (jack on the ground, 2x4 cut long enough to reach the plug on top of the jack, start cranking). If you start to lift the boat off the trailer, it won't work and you should stop. My opinion based on your description is that would be a waste of time and they're not coming out intact. Drill a hole in them from the bottom then start breaking pieces off by pulling them out with a set of pliers or smthng. When you've destroyed enough of it, it'll come out. Expect it to take a while.

It's likely that your top portions need rebuilt or replaced. If any of the pins holding the "dogs" are bent, do NOT put it back in the boat, you'll just compound the issue. I have a set of old spares with bent pins and a set of new ones that I can take pictures of to show comparisons if you're not sure.

 

[619Rocketman]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I do not see any place under the boat that I could get access to the plugs? Is there something I need to remove to get at the bottom of the plug?
The material seems to be made of plastic?

 

[xoomer]

Hello,
I have a 2000 Yamaha LS 2000.
Both clean out plugs are stuck. I tried the Ice, Lube and hydraulic lift. I did manage to remove the top part of the clean out plugs.
One sheared the pull handle off the other just pulled the screws out of the bottom half. So now I am stuck both literally and figuratively
with the bottom half of the clean plug stuck. Can you give me any tips on how to get them out? What Not To Do would be my first concern.

Thanks

I bought an LX 2000 about 3 years ago and one plug was stuck tight. I tried everything mentioned in this thread--from ice to floor jack--but nothing would break it loose. I finally took the top half off, drilled a few holes in the bottom half, used my reciprocating saw to cut it up a bit and was finally able to get it out piece-by-piece. I took care not to damage the plug housing and the new one fit in without a problem.

Good luck...

 

[smthng]

@xoomer did it from the top, but I think you can also get to it from the bottom if you remove the big black metal grate on the intakes. I have no idea which is easier. I suspect the bolts for your grate are stuck too, so the top may be a better option.

 

[619Rocketman]

There are a couple of bolts on the grate under the boat that are striped. I suspect someone tried to remove the plate.
I see plenty of room to drill from the top so that's my plan. I am going to need new clean out plugs any ideas on a fair price for
good replacement plugs?
There are some great suggestions on how to prevent the plugs from getting stuck on this site so Thank You.
-SK

 

[xoomer]

If you can save the top half then the "replacement part" is only about $50.00. However, the entire plug is around $250.00. I think I got my replacement part at PartsPak.com, but there are a number of sites that sell these Yamaha parts.

 

[jpass]

Has anyone tried this tool?

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I suppose that works but why invest in a tool you should only need once? If your plugs are like this every day, you need to invest the money into new plugs and properly caring for them. My plugs are 10 years old and operate just fine. Not 1 blow out or stuck plug. It's all about proper installation and care. Remove plugs after use and take them inside during winter ( they hold water that can freeze and mis-shape the plug body)

Use a long 2x4 and rope to pop them... Save your $!

 

[xoomer]

Has anyone tried this tool?

I haven't used it but I believe it costs around $100, if I recall. Just from looking at it, it doesn't appear to have enough strength to pull a plug that is really stuck. A $20 hydraulic jack with a 2x4 will give you much more pulling strength.

 

[jpass]

Seems easier to carry aboard your boat than a 2x4 and a hydraulic jack. I was simply sharing the video as I didn't see it mentioned in this thread. Never hurts to have more options.