Mercury Outboard Vent Screw Hack

[RealMuddyboots]

So tired of dealing with the dang vent screw slotted bit being larger than anything I have in tool box. Until I had epiphany, gunsmith slotted bits from Brownells. Their magnum slotted bit fits absolutely perfect! No slop, nice tight snug fit. Stops blade from buggering up that dang slot. Its only $8.99 so I bought 2, one for boat tool box and one for gunsmith box.

BROWNELLS Leupold/Buehler Windage Screw Bit Dia (0.43) Thickness(0.07) SKU: 080430430

Check out BROWNELLS Leupold/Buehler Windage Screw Bit Dia (0.43) Thickness(0.07) SKU: 080430430 with 7 reviews and an overall rating of 5.0, available Online at Brownells Today and many more Screwdrivers & Sets products are available in our Tools & Cleaning Department.

www.brownells.com

 

[Hem]

So tired of dealing with the dang vent screw slotted bit being larger than anything I have in tool box. Until I had epiphany, gunsmith slotted bits from Brownells. Their magnum slotted bit fits absolutely perfect! No slop, nice tight snug fit. Stops blade from buggering up that dang slot. Its only $8.99 so I bought 2, one for boat tool box and one for gunsmith box.

BROWNELLS Leupold/Buehler Windage Screw Bit Dia (0.43) Thickness(0.07) SKU: 080430430

Check out BROWNELLS Leupold/Buehler Windage Screw Bit Dia (0.43) Thickness(0.07) SKU: 080430430 with 7 reviews and an overall rating of 5.0, available Online at Brownells Today and many more Screwdrivers & Sets products are available in our Tools & Cleaning Department.

www.brownells.com

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Yep, and with an manual impact driver you'll never fight those dumb slotted screws again.
I learned this lesson just last week. Bought a new Honda outboard last year. This Spring i went through the checklist on maintenance and in trying to remove the slotted screw to check the fluid in the lower unit , stripped it out. Aluminum screw( presumably) with a combination oversized slot/star.
Very soft material. That screw was seized. Tried my largest screwdriver, and then a large star bit in a battery impact. Not a good idea. Made things worse. I was dreading drilling the screw out on a new outboard, for sure.
Talked to my boat mechanic who told me how dumb I was and loaned me his impact kit...similar tips to what you used. Two love taps with the proper tip and mallet , done deal.
Im putting a kit in my stocking.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

You pay dumb ass money for outboard and a slotted screw with slot nobody has in tool box. Why in hell isn't it an allen?

 

[Hem]

You pay dumb ass money for outboard and a slotted screw with slot nobody has in tool box. Why in hell isn't it an allen?

Something that takes a socket makes the most sense to me.

 

[warmer]

So tired of dealing with the dang vent screw slotted bit being larger than anything I have in tool box. Until I had epiphany, gunsmith slotted bits from Brownells. Their magnum slotted bit fits absolutely perfect! No slop, nice tight snug fit. Stops blade from buggering up that dang slot. Its only $8.99 so I bought 2, one for boat tool box and one for gunsmith box.

BROWNELLS Leupold/Buehler Windage Screw Bit Dia (0.43) Thickness(0.07) SKU: 080430430

Check out BROWNELLS Leupold/Buehler Windage Screw Bit Dia (0.43) Thickness(0.07) SKU: 080430430 with 7 reviews and an overall rating of 5.0, available Online at Brownells Today and many more Screwdrivers & Sets products are available in our Tools & Cleaning Department.

www.brownells.com

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What screw are you talking about?

 

[RealMuddyboots]

I actually used a 3/8" drive with socket to fit slotted bit. Nice easy controlled torque on slotted screw with downward pressure on ratchet. But hells bells, a slotted screw is 1950's technology.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

What screw are you talking about?

Its the upper vent screw on lower unit to allow air in to drain easy plus overflow when filling lower unit.

 

[Hem]

Its the upper vent screw on lower unit to allow air in to drain easy plus overflow when filling lower unit.

Same one I struggled with.

 

[warmer]

Gotcha. I have a 150 and a 9.9 kicker, both Merc's, but don't seem to have any trouble getting any of them out. I think the brownell driver would be nice to have tho.

 

[RealMuddyboots]

The slotted bit from Brownells is perfect tight fit so less likely to bugger up plus more torque can be applied.