Snapped blue plastic drain plugs

[ddurand]

My VP closed cooling engine has these blue plastic/nylon drain plugs. One snapped last fall getting it out and one just snapped today screwing it in.

How does one get the broken off piece out. It's not metal so not corroded stuck.

 

[Radioactive]

screw extractor ( carefully )

Glue/?epoxy? a rod to it and use that as a stem/handle

( messy ) file/cut a slot into the thread wall then use forceps...

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Noe one of my favorite. Have beer ready...

 

[ddurand]

The ones that snapped are VP #3849500. They were superceded by #21114522. The ones I have that snapped have a hole is the center which would seem to make them weaker but easy to get a screw extractor in if it snaps.

Unsure if the #21114522 are stronger? Different plastic composition?

 

[sugilbert]

My Merc plastic plugs lasted me 22 years before I sold it.

 

[ddurand]

The ones that snapped are VP #3849500. They were superceded by #21114522. The ones I have that snapped have a hole is the center which would seem to make them weaker but easy to get a screw extractor in if it snaps.

Unsure if the #21114522 are stronger? Different plastic composition?

Got new blue plastic drain plugs. The little bag each one was in had new part number. The blue plastic plugs itself had the old part number. I screwed them tight. No issue. I assume they get weak with age & heat cycles.