Stuck lower end oil caps?

[tb4me]

Hey how is everyone today?....So on the weekend I decide to get the stuff to change the lower end unit gear oil. I got new washers and enough gear oil to do the job. Then I tried to get the bottom cap out of the gear case..That's where I had to stop. I had a big wide screwdriver and no go. I don't want to destroy the screw-cap trying to get it off. So I have decided to wait till next weekend to complete the job. I wanted to check in here to see how you folks get them out? Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

[mcdougy]

um...???right is tight, left is loose????? Beyond that, it should go. No tricks that i know of.. when were talking about this type of screw!!! Other types...Many tricks

[DRIFTER_016]

Stick your screwdriver in the offending drain plug and while putting counter clockwise (lefty loosy) give the handle of the screwdriver a couple of raps with a hammer. This should break it loose.

If not you may need to give it a whack with one of these.

[Bernie]

Back when I was working on outboards I kept an impact driver with the proper blade on it just for doing these.

 

Impact driver

 

Drifter beat me to it.

Edited May 15, 2013 by Bernie

[Sinker]

How big was your screwdriver? You need a bigger one

 

S.

[captpierre]

one guy press the largest screwdriver into the screw.

 

Buddy lock a visegrip on the screwdriver shaft and twist left.

[4x4bassin]

Like others have said , get the biggest screwdriver in there with lots of downward pressure .

[SBCregal]

try and find a screwdriver with a hex on the shaft near the handle. that way you can get a wrench on it for some extra torque.

[Raf]

these are a PITA. i'm struggling with mine too. gonna try it again this wknd.

largest slot screwdriver i've been able to find has a 3/8" wide head but I think 1/2" would work even better.
almost need one of them old school drag link sockets.

 

 

the impact driver would work but i've not been able to find a bit with a wide enough head.. and i don't want to mess up the screw in there using a too-small head.

Edited May 15, 2013 by Raf

[fisher]

I usually change the oil at the end of the season before storing for the winter in case of water could freeze/cause cracking. But as for your question, get yourself a drill with a bit that fits snug so to minimize any slipping/stripping of the head (on low torque), but hand tighten with a larger screw driver when putting back on.

[aplumma]

Smacker hand impact like Drifter pictured and Bernie has confirmed is what I have always used with success.

 

 

Art

[davey buoy]

Smacker hand impact like Drifter pictured and Bernie has confirmed is what I have always used with success.

 

 

Art

Me too,that's what I use.

[bigbuck]

IMPACT WRENCH all the way!! I had the same problem with the lower unit on my boat a year and a half ago when I did my own lower unit oil. It zipped off like nothing.

[tb4me]

Cool I will try the bigger screw driver first. I went to cdn tire and bought the biggest screwdriver I could find and took it to the bench grinder. It now has a big wide fat tip on it..If that don't work ill try the impact tool. I also went back to Dundas Marine in Waterdown today and bought new screws. These have a hex type head instead of a slot..

[bigbuck]

Oh yeah, replace the gasket!! A replacement screw can be had for a few bucks. Keep one handy just in case the old one gets mangled.

[lew]

When putting the plugs back in, they only need to be snugged down, no need to really lean on them.

[mr blizzard]

Real men use their thumbnail.......LOL

As mentioned the impact works great but I have also had good luck with a vice grip on the end of a screwdriver, as Lew said dont overtighten