For the 19 years that I own the boat, I have "changed" the oil in the V-drive through what turns out to be the magnetic plug which is actually close to the TOP (!) of the oil level. I was always amazed that I just got a few table spoons of oil out, and in, but thought that this was just the nature of the V-drive (it is the first I ever owned).
I only now learned that it takes a whole pint, and that there is a square oil-change plug at the BOTTOM of the oil sump. DUH!
I have now identified the plug but it turns out that it is nearly entirely wasted away! All that is left is a little spike, less than 1/8" thick, of unknown consistency. I have not dared to touch it, it may be solid or all rust, or a combination of both. Other than this spike, I can guess where the bolt and its threads are but it is essentially flush with the housing.
What to do? Should I try to grip this spike with vise-grips (or something else?) and see if I can turn it? I believe things like 'drilling it out' are unrealistic, given where it is, at the back of the bottom of the V-drive.
Or should I try to suck the oil out with a pump? I have an oil-change pump that I use for the motor oil but I don't know what is in the V-drive housing. Will the little hose that came with the pump be able to get down to the bottom of the oil sump? The only access point that seems reasonable is the magnetic plug, which is in great shape. But this would probably require a very tight, 90 degree turn to get down into the oil sump.
Suggestions?
Thank you!
I only now learned that it takes a whole pint, and that there is a square oil-change plug at the BOTTOM of the oil sump. DUH!
I have now identified the plug but it turns out that it is nearly entirely wasted away! All that is left is a little spike, less than 1/8" thick, of unknown consistency. I have not dared to touch it, it may be solid or all rust, or a combination of both. Other than this spike, I can guess where the bolt and its threads are but it is essentially flush with the housing.
What to do? Should I try to grip this spike with vise-grips (or something else?) and see if I can turn it? I believe things like 'drilling it out' are unrealistic, given where it is, at the back of the bottom of the V-drive.
Or should I try to suck the oil out with a pump? I have an oil-change pump that I use for the motor oil but I don't know what is in the V-drive housing. Will the little hose that came with the pump be able to get down to the bottom of the oil sump? The only access point that seems reasonable is the magnetic plug, which is in great shape. But this would probably require a very tight, 90 degree turn to get down into the oil sump.
Suggestions?
Thank you!
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