VIRE 12 Ultimate core plug set (5) NEW Stainles-Steel

set of 5 ULTIMATE (stainless steel) core plugs for a Vire 12 motor

NEW product Sept 2007, specially made for Vire motors only.

• Pressed from stainless high grade (304) sheet steel by precision engineers
• no need for plating as they are stainless anyway 
• superior even to my  'yellow passivated' ones or original 'clear passivated' ones that corrode gradually
• Exceeds Original specification
• Full set

Dont believe the myth that zinc plated core plugs protect your engine by dissolving sacrificially, thats just rubbish spouted by an anorak's website FULL of 'red-herrings'. Use tested marine common-sense instead. Zinc plated or steel core plugs will only last long in an engine filled with antifreeze/corrosion inhibitors, not salty oxygenated seawater!

If you think about it, the tiny amount of zinc on plated core plugs is nothing compared to the huge amount of alluminium in a vire exhaust or cast iron(which doesnt corrode especially high) in the cylinder walls. The hot seawater and possibly air in the cylinder walls will dissolve the plating (especially if not 'yellow-passivated) in just a few dozen hours. Then your core plugs will rot and risk a flood, possibly your boat.

I thought about this long and hard over the years, and with my degree in Maritime Technology, having studied galvanic corrosion and the effects of coupled metals, water salt and oxygen with heat, realised there was a great need and solution required to prevent this irritating failure, so heres my opinion (no liability undertaken):

1. get core plugs made from stainless steel or at least coated protectively
2. reduce corrosion in the exhaust by a sensible (not silly proportions) means -i.e. isolation to remove the galvanic current.

I have had these plugs made at great cost especially for Vire 7&12 owners, and sensibly prevent corrosion in a Vire engine:

• dont allow engine coolant to dry out when the boat is out for winter (fill it with anti freeze)
• isolate the aluminium exhaust using plastic washers between cylinder studs and exhaust.(preventing rot near connecting pipe i see a lot).
• reduce engine corrosion by isolate the engine from the propshaft and water. fit a shaft anode instead of using the engine in circuit to a hull anode. remove wiring that may have been added to bridge drive coupling halves, or wiring between engine bed and anodes.

delivery cost includes:

• admin/accounts
• printing fitting instructions for you
• selection, pre delivery inspection and packing
• posting(often special trip)
• obtaining proof of posting
• cost of postage 1st class anywhere in EU.
• giving you feedback on ebay

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discount on multiple purchases, please ask.

Detailed description & fitting guide.....

Vire 12 requires four larger and one smaller core plugs fitted to the cylinder casting.

The other engines (vire 6 & 7 are different - see other items)

The core plugs have a tendency to corrode and leak after many salty years or if left dried out with air behind.

a leaking core plug, particularly if you have left on the seacock, could sink your boat! best to change them if you are in doubt about their integrity or at least every few years (unless they are my new stainless steel ones - see other items)

These 'yellow-passivated zinc plated' core plugs exceed original specifications. and should last much longer.

if you have just bought the boat or overhauling the engine, then you should always replace these.

the vire series in particular is subject to saltwater staying in the cylinder mixed with air corroding these faster than a normal seawater cooled engine that has its cylinders below the waterline. The smaller boat's (having a Vire) waterline usually being about the height of the plugs.

check to see if your vire has knackered plugs: tap a screwdriver blade into the centre of the plug quite hard. If it dents or is rusty at all replace.

Fitting Guide 

it's easy: first remove old plugs by driving a large flat blade screwdriver into the centre and levering out. Then hook out all the muck behind (grit from the seawater intake) to improve your cooling 'while you are at it' into a rag/bilges. Then clean up the hole with a scraper and sandpaper, so the new plug will have a smooth lipped hole to go into, then prime your new plug with a smear of gasket sealant round the edges. Find a socket or drift that is a bit smaller than the inside of the plug, and using a hammer drift it into the engine evenly till the lips are flush. Test run for leaks. Job done! (about 15 minutes) and you shouldnt need to remove anything from the engine during the process either!

I offer the rebuild service and if you or an engineer want to do it, there are full instructions above and on my 2 websites given below.

I also sell fully rebuilt Vire exchange units/engines/cylinders/gearboxes etc.

if you are a conscientious owner and have your engine refurbished every few years during the winter, you would probably fit new core plugs, rings, overhauled carb, new impeller and new impeller outer shaft seal with gearbox oil and champion plug - see my other spares.

Vire engines are really great if you look after them. basically there are only 3 weaknesses:

   1 saltwater/salt air ingress rots main bearings and can rust rings and big end solid (largely erradicated on 7&12)

   2 spark plugs misbehaving (wrong brand/type/gap) - see my other items

   3 saltwater in fuel/ salt air in enclosed engine bay corrodes alluminium and stiffens float-diapragm in carb, leading to blocked jets and flooding. - see my other items for exchange carbs and diapragm kits.

-otherwise it is the true compact keep-it-simple-stupid (KISS) philosophy boat engine. and will last longer than the boat.

cheques not accepted, only bank transfers or PAYPAL, due to scammers

will ship anywhere in the world Packing &postage for this item(pair) mainland UK, a bit more abroad, please email address and post code/zip for exact quote  and paypal invlice to be sent to you.

postage takes 2 days parcel post inland UK, and 4 days EU and most of America

i supply most spares and technical support for this engine, anywhere in the world

 Nick             RING FOR DETAILS 0 ( intl. 44) 1202 470184

and dont forget to visit my international free authoritative website, like a 'haynes manual' online at

www.VireEngines.com

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