Mercury Outboard Parts

I have a 1994 60 hp Merc 2 stroke. Today I was doing the “put it away for the winter stuff” and when I went to change lower unit grease I had a heck of a time getting the drain plugs loose. The slots are getting stripped, so I had to grind a screw driver down to get it to fit. There wasn’t any kind of gasket under the head of the drain plug either. The threads looked OK, they weren’t cross threaded or anything.

Two questions:

Should there be gaskets or washers under the drain plugs?
Would it be possible to replace those drain plugs with new parts?

Thanks guys

S.R.

I am not sure on your exact motor, but my 2002 25HP has an o-ring as well as my 1997 75HP. Both are mercs.

Yup those are typically pretty easy to come by. Fleet Farm, Gander, Cabelas typically have them. Bring your current plug in with you and compare side by side. Not too many variations in sizes/style between them so should be pretty easy to match up.

And yes there should be a small washer/seal behind it, but if I recall correctly a new one should come with the plug. Could it possibly still be stuck to the lower unit? Double check that before installing the new one. Double gasketing will not help.

here ya go Steve,sure its too many but they last forever and you will never know when you will be someones hero by having spares.
if you dont want to spend the five bucks you could do like I did many years ago when I was thirteen years old and needed a gasket for my 5hp scott atwater,I drilled a hole through an old horse harness,and shaved it down to the screw head size with a razor blade.

and no,the horse wasnt wearing the harness when I drilled the hole,Lord knows I tried but the effer wouldnt stand still long enough for me to do it.

https://www.offshoremarineparts.com/312-13-100-10.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_Inc6uyn3gIVEJ7ACh33NwNkEAQYAyABEgJrvfD_BwE

Sheldon you like those fiber gaskets better than the plastic ones?

I never did like the plastic, always have to get new ones and just doesn’t seem like good seal.

yes Nick I like the plastic ones,why??
they are more ‘slick’ and let you break the screw loose much easier for one,and they dont tear.
as far as not sealing,never had an issue if you snug the screw down and not over torque it as the nylon will squeeze out but it takes a lot for that to happen.
forgot to add this to my first reply,best money spent if you own an outboard.

https://store.snapon.com/Marine-Plug-Screwdriver-Large-Marine-Plug-Screwdriver-P893046.aspx

speaking of getting a good seal with gaskets of any kind reminds me of a joke.
what do Tupperware and a walrus have in common??
both of them are looking for a tight seal.

Well I stopped at Valley Motor Sports and once again they had exactly what I needed. The new plugs and washers are in place. $15.

valleymotorsports.net

S.R.

Day late…I have 5 extras w/washers and I’m pretty sure they are the right size that you could of had with a Hamm’s.

The washers should be replaced every year, but I haven’t seen a need to do that.

Changed my fluid last night in my 2002 15hp. The plastic gasket on the drain end has a small crack in it and should have been replaced, but I didn’t have one on hand and plan on doing it again before winter anyways. I had a decent amount of water in the oil after only about 5-10 hours. I have a feeling I will be tearing into it and doing seals this winter…

Lighthouse in Rosemount has most common parts on hand. Did an impeller on a friends 25hp last week that was literally in pieces.