Mercruiser Winterizing issue

[bigdogg1]

Looking for your thoughts or suggestions on this issue - I have a small block mercruiser that has developed a very slow leak at the bottom engine drain plug - one of the little blue ones. The boat is a 2-3 months fresh water only lake boat and the drip is so slow (1 drop per 10 seconds) that it doesn't impact the cooling while operating whatsover.

I have replaced the plug, wrapped tape around the plug and even tried Marine-Tex by coating the inner threads and screwing the plug in and out to see if the threads could improved. Haven't tried White Stuff yet - maight be the next step.

My question is around winterizing. I go all in by warming the engine, running antifreeze through ,etc. The engine block is then set up with a Pali Engine compartment heater.

This past Spring, when I cracked the plug to drain the AF, it was completely dry - nothing came out.

So, what are your thoughts:

1. Do I continue to pump AF in and know it will eventually leak out over the winter?

2. Do I open all plugs and hoses, blow out with a compressor and leave it open for the winter (rust issue in the block is my concern here)?

3. Is there another way to repair the threads that I am missing?

Thanks

 

[tubber]

Is there room chase the threads with the same size tap and if that doesn't work tap a bigger size?

 

[ship happens]

I'm pretty sure those little blue plugs seal with an oring. Just replace the plug or the oring. Avoid putting anything on the internal threads. Could put something on the oring to make it happy, like grease or possibly pipe sealant. Something that will not harden completely. Those little plugs fail all the time.

 

[bigdogg1]

Is there room chase the threads with the same size tap and if that doesn't work tap a bigger size?

Thought about tapping but worried I would open up Pandora's Box. Feels like that would be the same as changing a vanity and doing a whole bathroom renovation somehow!

 

[bigdogg1]

I'm pretty sure those little blue plugs seal with an oring. Just replace the plug or the oring. Avoid putting anything on the internal threads. Could put something on the oring to make it happy, like grease or possibly pipe sealant. Something that will not harden completely. Those little plugs fail all the time.

This will go on this weekend. Will post update

White Stuff

Part No. Size Case Weight 400-001 2 oz. tube 72 11 400-002 4 oz. can 24 13 400-003 8 oz. can 24 20 400-004 16 oz. can 12 22 4000-005 32 oz. can 12 39 NSF Certified NSF 14 (PW, DWV, SW) NSF 61 (C.HOT 180°F) NSF 372

www.jomarvalve.com

 

[ab1752]

Dont torque it down right away let the junk set up a bit first for say 20 mins then snug it up.