Clean out plug came out again

[NewBoater]

So just to make sure.

Install the Lock pins with the main plug unlocked. Then push it all the way down in and push the plug button to lock it.

Thanks for the reply. So the way I was doing it wasn't even using the pins for backup protection?

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Like Mel said you can actually see how it works with the plug out of the also review the video I posted where I am at the rear of a 19 foot boat doing an install and showing the details about preloading the lock, closing and removing it etc

 

[*DMZ*]

If plugs are hard getting in or out, you are probably ready for a rebuild. The bottom section swells is the biggest problem. So rebuild them and use some fine sandpaper to clean up the hole of any deposits. I apply a thin film of marine grease to the hole and the seal too. After that the ez locks are a good prevention measure to prevent blowouts. I also carry an extra deck lid latch on board just in case; after having them blow (without locks) and break the latch, throwing the lid open and dumping a hundred gallons of water into the boat. The latch needs to be functional to engage kill switches.

 

[txav8r]

The newer boats, since 2012, have a more tapered ABS lower plug shell, than the pre 2012 boats. So it won't need to be replaced as often. Keep them clean! Take a scotch bright to them, use something on the aluminum seat to clean all the recesses, especially the little oval recesses that the cam lock "dogs" lock into. Any buildup on the plug or on the seat will make it harder to lock, remove, install...and that little bit of resistance keeps it from locking/unlocking correctly. Add to that, that the plug mechanism itself can release for unknown reasons! This is the very reason for using EZ Locks. A side benefit is that they confirm correct installation and give you a clue when you may need to clean or replace. As Jeff has said, and many of us will confirm, all plug blowouts are not created equal. You won't always get a violent blowout when it occurs. But when you do get a more violent one, it will be when RPM and speed are up, and you don't recognize the blowout immediately. That means you have maximum pressure in the intake tunnel, and when the plug releases, that path becomes the path of least resistance. Without immediately reducing both speed and rpm, you will force a great deal of water into the cleanout tube. When that happens, one of two scenarios generally occur. Either, you get the big geyser with broken hatch/latch...OR...you get the plug as it blows getting caught in the big rubber tube that is the cleanout tube...and that causes the tube to get blown off the aluminum seat of the pump. If the latter happens, it can flood your engine/bilge compartments fast if you don't stop the water. Relax...you won't sink. BUT, you have to stop the water, by stopping speed and engines. Even if you pull the lanyard and kill the engines, if your at 50mph, your forcing water into the intakes at 50mph!!! So you have to stop that flow of water. Once stopped, water seeks its own level and won't fill the boat, but if you have a great deal of water you took on, the boat will be sitting lower in the water, and hence the level the boat floats at will be lower. May be time to do a few diagrams...

 

[djetok]

after reading this thread, I finally took the couple minutes to install the ez locks

 

[Spooling]

i have the trulock 2's are these just as good as the ez lock?

 

[Julian]

I will say it seems ridiculous Yamaha would design the boat in a way that such a catastrophic disaster could happen from a plug blowing or someone forgetting to install/not installing properly so I would tend to side with what you are saying.

Indeed....this is why they FINALLY changed the plug design for the 2017 models!!!! About time!

 

[txav8r]

Time for a little cleanout plug 101 (man hole cover). I posted these a number of times on the forum not to be mentioned. I thought I had posted here. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words...

 

[swatski]

I will say it seems ridiculous Yamaha would design the boat in a way that such a catastrophic disaster could happen from a plug blowing or someone forgetting to install/not installing properly so I would tend to side with what you are saying.

Indeed....this is why they FINALLY changed the plug design for the 2017 models!!!! About time!

I think it is a difficult issue and no perfect solution. The plug blowouts are a price of having them in the first place, which can be life saving.
The new design sounds safer, kind of, but good luck trying to remove those new plugs if/when they get stuck due to lack of maintenance (like -- leaving them in for too long)...

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Oddly they had screw in types first and those came out occasionally also, from 2000 to 2016 the push button type were used and those were blowing out from day one even on test drives of new boats, The usual response from Yamaha was that you did not install them correctly , The ez lock when used properly made knowing the dogs were in place and prevented them from blowing out if the inside of the plug released. see the video I made that shows how easily a plug could unlock

 

[*DMZ*]

So just to make sure.

Install the Lock pins with the main plug unlocked. Then push it all the way down in and push the plug button to lock it.

Thanks for the reply. So the way I was doing it wasn't even using the pins for backup protection?

The button you are talking about is not the release is it?

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

it would need to be the T handle to lock it, the button was probably not what he meant the button is the release

 

[*DMZ*]

That's exactly what I meant. There was a guy at the dock who kept pushing the release, thinking it was to lock and couldn't figure out why they wouldn't stay in...lol

 

[2nazt]

I'm a little late to the party but I experience the same issue as @haknslash on the binding of the locks. I sometimes just squeeze and wiggle a few times. It has been like that since day one without ever running the boat. Not a big deal to me but I'll look to check the bend on mine also. And yes in advance the hole is drilled straight. No burrs on either plug or drilled holes. I just thought maybe I favor one side with the way I squeeze it and maybe twist as I squeeze as I have a large hand trying to reach down there. But they are a great and EZ product that gives peace of mind! I install out of plug and sometimes have to wiggle to get them to seat maybe once every five times. Just to make them touch after locking.

 

[ISLANDRACING]

...and don't forget about the inventor of the "Pin Kit" ISLAND RACING CLEANOUT PLUG PIN KIT !
...Just thought id join the party

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I'm a little late to the party but I experience the same issue as @haknslash on the binding of the locks. I sometimes just squeeze and wiggle a few times. It has been like that since day one without ever running the boat. Not a big deal to me but I'll look to check the bend on mine also. And yes in advance the hole is drilled straight. No burrs on either plug or drilled holes. I just thought maybe I favor one side with the way I squeeze it and maybe twist as I squeeze as I have a large hand trying to reach down there. But they are a great and EZ product that gives peace of mind! I install out of plug and sometimes have to wiggle to get them to seat maybe once every five times. Just to make them touch after locking.

I have found over the years that taking a file to the very end of the EZ lock and removing any small burs on the end does make it close quicker also honing out the 9/64 hole by passing the drill bit through it several times will polish the inside of those holes and remove any internal ridges that can catch the ends of the locks. Remember once you place the lock on the plug and install the plug you are not squeezing the lock just move the top side to side and the ends close.

 

[Spooling]

i have the trulock 2's are these just as good as the ez lock?

Umm, it doesn't look like these are for sale anymore? That doesn't make me feel very good.....

 

[Scottintexas]

@Spooling this is a link from our FAQ tab at the top of the page where you can see videos from both manufactures to compare,
https://jetboaters.net/faq/how-to-prevent-your-cleanout-plugs-from-blowing-out-this-is-important.21/

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

They should also have the other ez lock video that shows how the plug operates

Nerf balls do not prevent blow outs but they do reduce the damage to the hatch on a violent blow out, unfortunately that can work against you if the plug comes loose and you keep driving the boat filling the hull with water.

 

[Scottintexas]

@Cobra Jet Steering LLC I added that video to the faq as well. If you have any other videos that aren't there PM me and I'll add them.