Behind the OMC Cobra Sticker - Don't Remove The Bolt! 

I heard from some other mechanic that this plug is meant to be a vent for winterizing to help drain the water out of the system without having to remove the sterndrive. I looked inside myself with the sterndrive off, and this plug is on part of the water cooling passageway. If dropped in by mistake, it will never wind up in any gearcase. You can replace it with a removable rubber expanding plug, size 1", similar to replacing a freezeout plug, and then you will never again have to worry about dropping it inside the sterndrive. Steve

I'm glad I did remove it. Got me to learn how to change out my stern drive and do the necessary maintenance. I ended up epoxying the bolt so it can never be opened again

Don’t remove!! I agree.... I was able to fish the rectangular nut out without removing the stern drive.

I wish I had seen this a month ago.... LOL! I removed the bolt and the threads fell down. I had to pull the stern off and reach in there and re thread it. Not fun, but I learned how to take the stern off.

I seriously just did that, now I'm fucked, lol

I just did that yesterday!! Cleaned up the boat replaced the impeller then wanted to change the gear lube removed it thought it was the top drain WHY DID THEY PUT IT THERE!!! lol

Mine just came apart, no idea how but the nut got lodged in the steering oil cooler and caused a blockage to overheat the motor and destroyed the water pump. Ugh....

A question about that about that sticker do not remove on a OMC cobra do you have the part number please and thank you

What's the part number

just did this mistake. I was able to see the nut from the whole initially, was trying to fish it. Now I don't see that any more, probably dropped down somewhere. I am not sure even removing the stern drive will work now. Can I leave it there and use a rubber plug to close it?

Wish I had seen this a few years ago!!

My tilt trim is all the way down to the ground , I was already having problems with the trim and my motor on my tilt makes a click sound with out the gzzzzzz bus noise while k hold the button. Is there any way to manually lift the stern drive with out the electrical pump

I was able to get everything out of the drive is pulling the drive the only way to seal the hole

Hello we stupidly unscrewed this bolt and now need a replacement has anyone found this part online or anywhere??

I removed this plug before seeing your video , what do I need to do now?

Well... Wish I would have known that before. But I got it back on... It's a square nut... It's not impossible... You just got to be smarter than the average bear....

Well of course this didn't have a decal like the other side and I found your video on how not supposed to remove that screw but there was actually a nut that was on the back of that and so but the screw itself the rubber washer on it has a crack in it so what is that part number by chance and then I guess I got to fish that nut so that I can get the screw back on it

I removed it. Thought it was a drain. Went to the lake yesterday. Apparently it fell out. Boat overheated super bad. Where can I get a new one???

What is the name of this plug and gasket

How do I change the motor mounts ?

I just broke the screw and it felt in side the upper drive. Can I just leave the screw inside or I have to remove it. I plan to just plug it with a rubber plug. Please comment. Thank you.

I removed the bolt! My first year winterizing, and there was no sticker, so I removed it. Now the internal washer is floating inside and I can’t get it back. Guess I’m pulling the sterndrive 😒😡

Mine is leaking do I need to replace it or can I silicone and try torquing it down?

What is the part number for the side plug behind the sticker

I tried tightening the do not remove both and that collapsed inside what do I do now

Been there done that another WTF moment.

What a headaches

there is nothing magical about it . has a backing nut,plastic adapter ,2 orings ,drive has to be off, if it has been pulled then your taking a chance of a overheat issue.

This video could have been less than a minute and it doesn’t describe what the wash does or holds

My bolt came out while is was running on lake, so need that part, email me at frankpanunzio on how to purchase that part and the washer

Just made this mistake