MerCruiser Water Distribution Housing

[32carv]

I have a 2008 Mercruiser 6.2 motor. The water distribution housing housing has a crack in the threads where the blue plug goes. I’m assuming that I overtightened the blue plug when winterizing. About $160 and looks easy to swap out. The question I have is, do I have to pull the boat to to do it? Will just the water in the motor drain or will it keep coming?
Jim

 

[Bt Doctur]

no need to pull the boat, replace with copper fittings. Also much better to remove the "quick drain crack system" too

 

[ddurand]

Aren't the blue plugs plastic? I remember reading a caution with respect to drain plugs in general and screwing them in using Teflon tape or compound which acts as a lubricant allowing someone to screw it in too far/tight without realizing.

 

[32carv]

My guess is the previous owner overtightened the blue plug. Plastic plug screwed into plastic threads. Crack is in threads. I put some caulk on threads and screwed it in. Leak is gone but I’ll have to swap it out before I winterize.

 

[Alkas2710]

You really have to watch these in the winter. They are prone to freeze damage if the boat is not winterized correctly. Most damage is from that not overtightening.