Drain Plugs Not Cooperating

[curtisgeiger]

2023 R-23 drain plugs are not budging at all.

Hit them with a little PB Blaster but my very large crescent wrench is not moving at all.

Do I need a special tool to remove the two drain plugs?

I feel stupid I can’t get these out.

 

[watson1987]

There are a few other posts about these drain plugs on the forum

They are brass, and they corrode. Try some heat or Kroil, or both

 

[Jcat2010]

Heat will affect the sealant and then you could get leakage behind the faceplate. If penetrant doesn't solve the issue, buy a new fitting, make sure it is bronze, both plug and plate. Clean off old sealant and reseal. Put some thread sealant on the new plug before inserting.

 

[Hamster]

I keep a crescent wrench in my truck for this exact purpose.

 

[curtisgeiger]

OK got it - Ranger Tugs uses brass and not bronze drain plugs.

So this problem should be common to almost all RT owners.

I am not inclined to put a torch on the plug assembly.

Do most folks just leave the drain plugs in?

 

[80Ramey]

OK got it - Ranger Tugs uses brass and not bronze drain plugs.

So this problem should be common to almost all RT owners.

I am not inclined to put a torch on the plug assembly.

Do most folks just leave the drain plugs in?

Our 27 is stored on the trailer. I take the plug out often unless it’s only going to be out a few days till the next use. I don’t really have the corrosion issue but I also don’t really go nuts tightening it down. Kind of “oil filter” tight. Hand tight then just a 1/8 turn more with the wrench. Haven’t had an issue getting it out.

 

[curtisgeiger]

Ok - got it - your boat is not in the water for months at a time.

I wonder about the boats that spend the majority of their time in salt water - do they pull their plugs each time out of the water?

 

[Pandion]

We keep out R27OB in saltwater year-round. I remove the drain plug every time I take the boat out of the water (a few times a year). I also use thread sealant when I put it back in. As 80Ramey said, I don't put excessive torque to it when tightening. The plug always comes out with no trouble.

However, when we primarily trailer-stored our boat, we had one time when the plug was seized so tight I believed I would shear the fitting screws if I put much more torque to the plug. A minute or two with a narrow-nozzel heat gun aimed at the plug and it came out without an issue. No flame necessary.

 

[curtisgeiger]

We keep out R27OB in saltwater year-round. I remove the drain plug every time I take the boat out of the water (a few times a year). I also use thread sealant when I put it back in. As 80Ramey said, I don't put excessive torque to it when tightening. The plug always comes out with no trouble.

However, when we primarily trailer-stored our boat, we had one time when the plug was seized so tight I believed I would shear the fitting screws if I put much more torque to the plug. A minute or two with a narrow-nozzel heat gun aimed at the plug and it came out without an issue. No flame necessary.

Excellent information - thank you

I just confirmed with the previous owner that the drain plugs have never been out since the boat came from the factory about 16 months ago.

I will try and get them out clean the threads and then use a thread sealant.

Can you specify exactly which thread sealant works best for you?

 

[Pandion]

Can you specify exactly which thread sealant works best for you?

I use Loctite white thread sealant in the stick tube. It's the same sealant I use on most of the threaded fasteners on the outboards. It helps to lubricate the threads and lessen the drama in getting things apart.

 

[scross]

Excellent information - thank you

I just confirmed with the previous owner that the drain plugs have never been out since the boat came from the factory about 16 months ago.

I will try and get them out clean the threads and then use a thread sealant.

Can you specify exactly which thread sealant works best for you?

I use a non-metallic anti seize compound. On both our 2009 R-25 Classic and 2017 C-28 the factory installed bronze drain fittings with brass plugs. It’s hard to find the bronze plugs. When I find them I’ll buy a couple as spares. We trailer and the plug comes out and is reinstalled 5-6 times every year. The brass/bronze setup is the same as sold by West Marine. Be sure you know what you are buying!
Here’s the anti seize compound:

https://a.co/d/7qHJGIb

 

[curtisgeiger]

New garboard drain plugs and assemblies installed - thanks for the assistance to all on this thread.

Curt