housing water distribution assembly: Cracked!

[simsro]

Howdy y'all, well I had my baby winterized yesterday and didn't have new blue drain plugs on hand to replace the old ones. One of the mechanics showed me a slow drip from the strbd engine housing and said I should replace the plug. I thought I'd replace them myself. So, while he finished, I went to WM, purchased a sackful of plugs returned ready to replace all the old plugs. Well, I must have overtightened both plugs on the housing (yes, both of them!) and cracked them. I recovered approx 2 gals of pink stuff (one gal in the bilge from the strbd engine, and one from the port engine as it was flowing out the drain.) Now, as  winter knocks on my door, I have to replace both water distribution housing assemblies. So, my engine serial # are: Strbd 0w035630, Port is 0w035604; the boat is a 2005 model 320, built in Aug of 2004 (I think) and stored on a lift, out of the water, under partial cover (roof). The part number I found on Mercruiser website is 863631T 1, described as Housing, water distrubtion, manual drain and lists for $183.25 + S/H.
Looking for help please. Several questions:
1. what risk to the boat if freezing wx arrives soon?
2. how complicated is the replacement procedure?
Any help and recco welcome.
thx y'all
AWOL on Lake Tellico

[alswagg]

I take it you cracked the grey distribution bulb on the lower corner of the engine.  Or did you just crack and break the blue plug??    Either way, you are safe to not freeze as long as the boat is out of the water.  If no liquid is present it can not freeze.  We routinly keep the plugs out of the motor until spring. 
As for replacing the distribution bulb, not really a big deal as long as you can reach easily.  On a 320 the access is pretty good.  Remember the blue plugs are supposed to have an o ring to seal, only hand tighten also. 
Good luck  Al

[simsro]

Thx Al, yes cracked the grey bulb. The blue plugs were quite worn, brittle and had the wings broken off, so I wanted to replace them (they were the originals). Spoke w the mechanic this AM. He said at least one bulb must of had a a hairline crack in it before I tried to replace the blue plug. So, Al, what would cause that part to crack in the first place? My plan is to order the parts and take my time and replace the assemblies myself. Anything I need to be especially concerned about?
thanks again
AWOL on Lake Tellico

[Dream 'Inn]

I'm surprised how much they are.  The lowest price I saw was still $150.  Seems like a lot for the little piece of plastic that it is.  As far as why they are cracking, I'd be a bit curious too.  Unless something fell in the bilge that would hit its since it is one of the lowest items close to the bilge.  As Al said though, definitely not a problem leaving them out for the winter.  I end up cleaning the blue plugs each year and work them in till they're clean.  I just replace all of mine after about 4-5 years of use.  They do get brittle and break.  I had one in the thermostat that I had to drill out.   & as far as replacement, should be an easy thing to do.  Good luck and if you have issues just ask on here.

[simsro]

Thx DreamInn, I found the lowest price on e-bay for $129.95. I dont think the cracks were due to something hitting the plastic. One piece just broke off as I tightened the blue plug, by hand. They are original to the boat, so at least 7 yrs old. Both cracks were on the underside of the part which accepts the blue plugs. It seemed very brittle as I picked up the broken piece. I'll keep y'all posted as I take them off. I did a search for any previous reference to similar problems but couldn't find any. I'd be interested if anyone has had similar problem.
thx again
AWOL on Lake Tellico

[alswagg]

Freeze damage,  This is why I do not leave any fluid in the system.  I have seen several of these crack due to freezing.  This usually happens when people drain the fluid and think all is removed and then reinstall the plug.  Residual water from the block and manifolds drip down and fill up the bulb, then they freeze and crack.    My advise is to replace and leave dry, with plugs out.  Al

[Dream 'Inn]

Yeah, I think you hit it right on Al!  I did follow your advice last year and drain it and leave them out.  So far, I left them in this year.  I loosened the bottom plugs though just to make sure some pink came out.  I would think leaving the pink stuff in would help keep from rusting? 

Also a question, I helped someone out this weekend winterize their 270 (Eagle's Nest) and they were advised to buy different pink stuff that was specific for the engnine. I believe had rust inhibitors or something like that in it.  Is something like that better to use and then leave in?  Just curious, the pink stuff has always worked fine for me & that is what I used this year too.

[alswagg]

The Marine antifreeze We use is made by Camco.  Good for -75*f.  This is slightly differerant than traditional "rv" antifreeze, which is not recomended for metals.  The marine antifreeze is a little more expensive, but not much.  We pull the plugs and flush the residual water and fresh antifreeze in and out of the the block.  We leave the blocks or heat exchangers dry.  The raw water pumps are saturated in marine antifreeze.  This leaves a protective coating on the blocks and manifolds, and lubricates the impellors for the spring start up.  Al

[simsro]

Howdy y'all, well after two hours of effort I managed to get those assemblies off. Would have taken less time with proper tools and having better understanding of how they're confirgured. Also, after my second attempt, I found it easier to get the hoses off using a hair dryer to warm them up and using just a wee bit of WD-40. Anyhow, the port side unit is more difficult than the strbd one simply because I'm not a contorsionist. They both had hairline cracks on the underside where the blue plugs are inserted. The tighter I turned the plugs, the wider the crack. Now I'll order replacements and take my time during the winter months to put them back on.
thx to all for the help
AWOL on Tellico Lake
PS: apologize for the poor resolution of the photos

[dazeoff]

This is all good info for us .... I didnt realize they cracked , i will take more care with them .....And the hairdryer trick is the best  works every time .... ....