Outboard owners- some good info.

[Marty D]

Replacing Internal ZInc Anodes on an Outboard Engine. I been a boat owner for 40 years and never know about these anodes in your eng block. I just wanted to post this to let you know---- check them- clean them, every season!!!!!!!! My new motor that I used this year with 110 hours are shot, worn out. This is a very importance to keep the inside of your motor salt free.

[Moonlighter]

Good recommendation, Marty!

This is one area that lots of people seem to neglect, and can be the cause of severe corrosion issues later on.

It is an item listed in the service schedule for all of our Suzuki 4 strokes, so why some people neglect to actually check them is a mystery.

[Marty D]

I read the service book and I miss it. All it said, check and clean if needed. That word--- if needed---- should say. It's needs it !! Do 2 strokes motors have them? I had a Yamaha 200 HPDI 2005. My mech never told me about them. I have a friend with 28 ft contender with twin 250 Yama and his block is being replaced due to over heating - salt corosion. His mech never did them. Lots of guys don't know. My marina has a mech there and he doesn't know. We are posting up a letter to let everyone know.

[bassyac]

Hi all
Just looked at my service bill from my dealer says nothing about those anodes, do I need to get a service manual to find them. 2014 DF300, I'll ask him about them. I see that my exposed one's are still looking new, If the engine is flushed and not in the water will they still corrode from salt or electrolysis??
Thanks
John

[Marty D]

John, my answer to you is, yes. I flush every time I use my boat and they were still worn out. Has a Lot to do , where you use your boat, fresh or salt water. Do you go offshore a lot ? Offshore water is very salty. Now I'm told if my marina has well water or city water for flushing. Well water is acid and city water is not.

[Marty D]

Hi all
Just looked at my service bill from my dealer says nothing about those anodes, do I need to get a service manual to find them. 2014 DF300, I'll ask him about them. I see that my exposed one's are still looking new, If the engine is flushed and not in the water will they still corrode from salt or electrolysis??
Thanks
John

They cost $5.20 each. You have 7. 6 of them are in the motor. 3 on each side. The 7 th one is down low -oil pan. You need to remover lower cow cover. Here is a picture. One bolt holds them on. You need to buy the 0 ring also.

[Marty D]

Better picture

[Marty D]

The one near oil pan

[Marty D]

That is what they look like with only 100 hours.

[bassyac]

Thanks Marty
Will look into them, I hope this weekend. It's all salt water and offshore running.
I may look into that bag thing used for flushing when a boat is always kept at the dock. I don't remember where I saw it, but it's a bag in the water that you put fresh water in it to get water into the block.
John

[artdf175]

I found this to be a good article on electrolysis

Electrolysis | Mastervolt

I have an aluminum 21' North River Seahawk
the hull zincs are attached by being bolted on
one to the underside of the engine mount and one to the hull
Last time I was in for some work, the mechanic told me these two were pretty inadequate as they were not directly welded to the hull
I had two new ones welded to each side of the extended hull that, guessing, are about 3/4' thick and 3X5 inches ..

rinsing out the salt from the engine is extremely important but anytime your boat sits in the water you have electrolysis happening
Art

[catacom225]

Anode

I have been cleaning them monthly during frequent use, even leaving them out allowing air to dry out internal areas, after finding still moist after sitting for weeks

[bassyac]

I am still confused about the flushing ports. Do flushing with them for 15min to 20min clear the salt out of the engine block???? From what I saw with Marty D it was still corroded and he flushed after every use.

[Moonlighter]

Flushing using the flushing port works fine. Even better if you can use very warm water. 15-20 mins should be adequate according to my Suzuki dealer.

Remember that those anodes are sacrificial and are doing their jobs all the time when in contact with water. Any stray currents or bad engine bonding will accelerate the rate they are eaten away.

And when they are being eaten away, your engine block isn't.

So, simple message: check them regularly, clean them up or replace as required.

[bassyac]

Thanks Grant
I'll check mine when I have a buddy come down, cause it's not easy to take the cowl off by myself, need one of those suction handles the glass guys use.
So not to buy the bag and just flush like I do normally.
Side note; offshore bottom fishing awesome, coming to great time for Bass fishing. Good Day sir
John