Threaded opening on the Starboard side of block near transmission flange

[BrickBrock]

I changed my fuel filter tonight and I noticed a threaded opening on the block near where the transmission mates to the engine. I have had the boat for 4 weeks. It is a 2005 SAN 210 TE. It has a heater, but no shower.


Can anyone identify the opening and should I put a brass plug in it or leave it as I found it?

[NautiqueJeff]

Are you getting tons of hot water in your bilge while you're running? Sure looks like a block drain to me. The heater connection is higher up on the engine for the 5.7 (assuming that's what engine this is).

[BrickBrock]

Jeff,
It is the 5.7 liter. I have had the boat out twice since I bought it, but I was not getting much water in the bilge. The engine compartment/storage area divider boards look clean and not overly saturated in that area, so I do not think water is spraying out of that opening. I will watch that area this weekend when I take the boat out. The treads do show some rust (indicating possible water line). I think my heater hoses connect on the port, aft side of the motor near the circulating pump. I do get hot air out of my heater (it is getting cold in Wisconsin so the heater is needed). My heater hoses are not red, they are black.

[Quinner]

An 05' 5.7 means you have an Excalibur, correct?? And a 210 means the motor is installed bacerds. Heater hoses should come off the water pump and up near the manifold and the fact heater is working points to not the heater. Block plug on the port side frontward should have a knock sensor, the starboard side would be rearward, it will either be a brass plug or also used as a Hot Water Supply for a shower, are those there??

[BrickBrock]

Quinner,
Yes, it is the Excalibur. It is a V-drive boat, so the serpentine belt is toward the aft of the boat and the transmission is toward the forward portion of the boat. I took another photo from further back. This threaded opening is just above the location for the oil pressure switch. In the photo, I am pointing at the engine block drain.


I have attached another image from the PCM engine parts manual, with an arrow added. This location is directly above the oil sender and oil pressure switch. I am beginning to think that this is just a mounting hole for engine accessories when this engine is used for a different application.

Can anyone confirm this?

[shag]

If everything is working fine.... then...... I would lean toward a casting normality that may have been a place to attach something...

[core-rider]

It is definately not a coolant drain port. If it were drilled a bit further I would say it was another oil galley passage, but the hole doesn't go far enough into the block for that. I would say leave it be.

[BrickBrock]

I ran the boat today. No fluids came out of this threaded opening. I am certain it is a mounting hole for an engine accessory. Thanks for all your feedback.