2001 Air Nautique Oil Drain Line Cap/Fitting

[northernoak]

Starting to think about the leftover maintenance items to do on the boat since it was put away for the winter.
Last fall I had planned to change the oil and filter. This is only my 2nd time changing this boat's oil. When I went to unscrew the oil drain cap I was unable to move it at all. I remember it being difficult to get off the first time as well but not this difficult.

At this point the brass ends to the line have been mangled/deformed from my attempts and I decided to just deal with changing the oil in the spring.
I know if I can get the cap off, I can get a replacement cap. But the piece inside the drain line is more mangled than the cap.
The line itself has plenty of slack so if I were to cut the cap and fitting off the oil drain line, is there a new cap/plug I could install on the line without replacing the whole line?

[SilentSeven]

Nautique Parts has options for you - I'd call them to see what they can offer.

Candidate line: OIL DRAIN KITS - Nautiqueparts.com

Cap - Remote oil drain cap - Nautiqueparts.com

I'd also bet if you poked around your local pipefitting store, you might find that insert part....

[CHassmann]

Have you tried a wrench at each of the areas I circled on the photo? You should be able to get the cap off that way.

[bturner]

Depending on how OCD you want to be you have 2 options. Jeff's Nautique Parts option is going to be expensive but will give you the OEM solution.

The other direction would require you to do some research and spend some time at the hardware store. You'll need to actually measure then go to the hardware store to find/validate the parts you'll need. I did a quick search assuming 3/8" hardware for the barbed end and cap. HD has a barbed fitting that should work if the line is indeed 3/8". If not they offer the same thing in various sizes.....



From there you can get a NPT cap for the other end probably at HD as well or Amazon.....



Discount Inboard Marine offers the full kit if you want to go all in and do it right as well.....

[northernoak]

Thanks guys for the help and ideas. I did try putting a wrench in each of those two areas but it did not budge. The lower barbed brass fitting was already partially chewed up from the previous owner so that area is more "rounded off" and with each attempt my wrench was slipping off making it worse.

I'll try to get it off one more time this spring when I pull the boat out of storage. Maybe even using a vice grip would have worked, just didn't think of that being under the gun to get winterized that day. I wanted to have a backup plan in place if it doesn't come off. It would probably be best to get a new barbed end anyway.

[SilentSeven]

Two sets of vice grips should allow you to remove the end cap. Obviously there is no recovering those rounded off bits...you'll need to replace. They were likely killed by someone using poorly set adjustable wrenches. I would also suspect they were over tightened...just lightly snug is all that cap should require. If you're concerned about oil leaks, get the end cap with hole mount and use the hanger to attach the line up high on the block above the oil pan - don't let it flop around in the bilge.

[bturner]

The crazy part is you only need like 2 lbs. torque on that nut especially if you're using the wire clip to attach it to one of the engine lift brackets or anything else for that matter. The end of the hose is typically attached to something that will have the end higher than the pan and it's not like the cap is going to be able to back off if it's attached to something. People sometimes just get crazy torquing things for no reason.

[phillik]

Once you get the parts replaced, consider this type of 'clamp.' It is a smaller diameter than the cap, so it doesn't interfere with going through the drain hole. You can see the previous owner used zip ties that did nothing other than get in the way to get the hose out. Tool is from ClampTiteTools and it comes in handy for a lot of different things. (wire size used was 0.32")

[Jonny Quest]

That "ClampTite" tool is pretty slick.

[SilentSeven]

Slick indeed! Had to go look. Might have to put that on the ol' Christmas list.

[Rusty Barras]

i've had my 2001 SAN210 for 12 years and only used that drain once and it made a mess. Bought a vacuum oil extractor from west marine for $60 and have only ever used that for engine oil, v-drive and trans oil changes. can do all 3 now, in under an hour comfortably with no mess. highly recommend it as an alternative to the book procedure.

[Jonny Quest]

ClampTite tool on the way. Thanks for the tip.

[Interjon]

I use an vacuum extractor on the drain plug/hose. Perfectly quick, with no mess. I have been told that it is possible for an extractor hose to get stuck in the fill line of newer models. That would be no bueno. So, I have never extracted from the oil fill and use the drain without issue.

[Rusty Barras]

I use an vacuum extractor on the drain plug/hose. Perfectly quick, with no mess. I have been told that it is possible for an extractor hose to get stuck in the fill line of newer models. That would be no bueno. So, I have never extracted from the oil fill and use the drain without issue.

i did that i few time, but now i just go through the dipstick. lol I'm lazy. But i'm also the guy that winterizes by putting a bilge heater in.