Cleanout Plug - Lubrication??

[tracerrx]

A couple questions regarding cleanout plugs...

1) Do you guys leave them in when not in use?

2) If you pull them out when boats dry, where do you put them?

3) Is there any lubrication required? My Starboard plug has gotten very difficult to remove/install.

 

[txav8r]

This is one of those things that a guy has personal preference over. Yamaha say lube them with Yamaha grease type A. That and most greases contain petroleum products known to cause the lower shell of the plugs to swell and become an issue. It was of course, a bigger issue before Yamaha made repair kits for the plugs.

I am in the camp that grease attracts dirt and grime, and causes them to get dirty. I pull my plugs, wipe dry, wash frequently, and keep dry and out of the holes when not in use. I just lay them across the hole sideways when not in use...they ride there nicely and don't fall back into the hole. It lets them drain better as well, as the seal isn't good enough to prevent water from collecting inside the plug over time. This works to keep them longer term in my opinion, without the need for repair. Just my opinion, others will differ.

 

[Lspeedss]

@tracerrx
When not in use I pull them and store them lying across the cleanout port on their sides.
Occasionally cleaning them especially under the rubber seal flange. Annually lubricate them with Vaseline on the rubber seal. Spray with silicon spray the entire unit as well.. Annually.

 

[Bruce]

You can rebuild the clean out plugs for about $40 and 10 minutes each.

Instructions are at Rebuilding Yamaha Jet Boat Clean Out Plugs

I lay the plugs across their holes between use.

 

[tracerrx]

Thanks for the feedback guys.... I always pull the plugs to let the water drain off the top, then put them back in..... I do keep the boat out of the water on a rack under cover, but lately one plug has begun "sticking", looks like I should lube them up and start pulling them out between uses.

 

[Rigger]

A couple questions regarding cleanout plugs...

1) Do you guys leave them in when not in use?

No! I pull e'm every time when not in use.

2) If you pull them out when boats dry, where do you put them?

I lay them across the ports just like the others.

3) Is there any lubrication required? My Starboard plug has gotten very difficult to remove/install.

I lubricate as the owners manual says but I use Boeshield T-9, after every weekend. I did this with my 07 230 with total success and will practice this with my AR as well. At the beginning of last season I did replace the rubber on my 230 as the originals were beginning to look a little used.

Edited to move the "quote"

 

[Bruce]

I lubricate as the owners manual says but I use Boeshield T-9, after every weekend.

Does the owners manual suggest lubrication?

 

[sstegh]

I spray mine with silicone spray after each use. Probably overkill but I at least feel like I'm doing something for a boat that requires so little maintenance. When not in use I put the plugs back in the holes turned 90 degrees so they can't seat themselves while being trailered. I used the same routine on my last yamaha boat and never had any issues with the plugs.

 

[ToddW850]

Edited to move the "quote"

I used to spray YamaLube on the seals about every week or every other week last year. This year I switched to T-9 and it feels like I have to pull a little harder to remove them now. Coincidence maybe? I've thought about maybe dirt sticking to it more. Have you noticed any change? Maybe I'll give it a good clean and see if that changes.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I've never had a blowout in 9 seasons of boating.
I remove my plugs after every outing, rinse them off with salt-a-way and store them outside of the hatch so that I remember to reinstall them.
If I lived somewhere that it freezes, I would remove them from the boat during winter because the plugs can and will retain water inside if them.

 

[Rigger]

Does the owners manual suggest lubrication?

In the 240 manual it does, page 149 paragraph 6. I thought it did in the 230 as well. I don't have it anymore...let me check the service manual...

 

[Rigger]

I used to spray YamaLube on the seals about every week or every other week last year. This year I switched to T-9 and it feels like I have to pull a little harder to remove them now. Coincidence maybe? I've thought about maybe dirt sticking to it more. Have you noticed any change? Maybe I'll give it a good clean and see if that changes.

No, I really haven't. In the old boat the plugs we always snug, in the 240 they are really loose!

 

[ToddW850]

No, I really haven't. In the old boat the plugs we always snug, in the 240 they are really loose!

Gotcha. Thanks.

 

[jawsf16]

Remove them, press them in closed position and lay them across the opening to dry. Footballs go in the holes while the plugs are out. I also spray with silicone very few trips out. Second boat with this routine, never an issue.

 

[Julian]

Yamaha put out a tech bulletin saying they the plugs should be lubricated, but many have had no issues with leaving them un-lubed...

 

[Lspeedss]

@tracerrx .. If in sticking. I am guessing you are speaking of when you unlock it and are trying to remove it. Clean the rubber and pay special attention under the flap to clean any crud. Use a scotch-brite pad and scrub The crud from the metal seat and socket for each tube. Helps really well.

 

[Jim Robeson]

@jawsf16 ... okay, this has probably been discussed before but what do the footballs do for you again?? Sorry for not knowing this already.

 

[Julian]

If a plug blows, it can shoot vertically up the tube at high velocity and impact the hatch breaking it. Nerf cushion it.

 

[itsdgm]

I used to use silicone spray. But I think that the silicone spray made the rubber seals swell up a bit. Now I'm using a lube made for pools and spas. Pretty easy and cheap to find at a pool supply.

 

[Julian]

Nerfs will also stop your plug in the tube and might also cause the connecting hose to blow off and direct the water into your boat (which is why I have a bilge alarm)