New member - clean out plug blew out - what do I need to know???

[Julian]

Got this in a conversation and am posting this for a new member @Joseph dickason

I’m new on here and idk how to even work this website. I have a question and really hope you could help. I was out in the lake and a man hole cover blew out from the pressure I beleive because it was not locked in. What could happen or what problems could I experience if I drive without a man hole cover​

 

[BigAbe75]

What year boat?

Boat won’t go anywhere, if a plug blows, as the water will go up the tube instead of out the back.

It could break the latch on your hatch. If so, you may need one of these.

BOAT T HANDLE LATCH SHORT OFFSET CAM, BRASS WITH LOCKING ALLEN, S-226OS | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for BOAT T HANDLE LATCH SHORT OFFSET CAM, BRASS WITH LOCKING ALLEN, S-226OS at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Also, water could flow around the tube and down into the bilge causing a potential flooding issue.

Older model boats have an aftermarket plug lock mechanism that you can get from @Cobra Jet Steering LLC. The newer model boats now have a twist lock type plug that don’t require the locks.

Does that help?

 

[Lawson2479]

Put a nerf football in the tube after you insert the plug. If the plug blows it will save your hatch.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

The worst thing that can happen is the plug gets loose only a little and the engine compartment fills with water destroying the engine before you figure out what happened. They don't call them blowout plugs without a reason.

 

[Joseph dickason]

I appreciate it a lot. So I bought the boat it’s 2001. I thought the guy ripped me off because right when I got on the lake, the boat worked great. Then after a minute or two it started bogging out, then the battery died. It started right back up and for a minute worked then it bogged again then died. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. But then the mechanic saw that the man hole cover was gone and yes, it busted out the latch and broke the lock. I was making sure that this missing part could cause all those issues.

 

[Dean P]

I appreciate it a lot. So I bought the boat it’s 2001. I thought the guy ripped me off because right when I got on the lake, the boat worked great. Then after a minute or two it started bogging out, then the battery died. It started right back up and for a minute worked then it bogged again then died. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. But then the mechanic saw that the man hole cover was gone and yes, it busted out the latch and broke the lock. I was making sure that this missing part could cause all those issues.

There is a safety switch on the hatch. If the hatch is not secured it could bounce and activate the switch.

 

[Joseph dickason]

Well that’s what happened too it would die when those kill switches were released. My main question is, without that man hole cover, could it cause engine bogging out or issues.

 

[BigAbe75]

Well that’s what happened too it would die when those kill switches were released. My main question is, without that man hole cover, could it cause engine bogging out or issues.

If hatch is closed, the clean out plug won’t affect engine operation, only propulsion (unless of course the engine bay fills with water). It should idle easily.

The engine shouldn’t feel like it is “bogging down” or under load. That would be caused by something stuck in your impeller, I would guess.