Do you check your sacrificial anode on your motor?

genxer36

Lord of Tomfoolery
Joined
Apr 27, 2010
Location
Bethlehem, Georgia
#1
For those in salt water, you must replace it more often. I have only replaced mine once in six years of owning my bass boat. I put mine in the ocean one time & that was all it took to corrode the anode. The anode is the trim tab on an outboard. The anode should be replaced when up to half of it is gone, or sooner. I chose the sooner.



On my motor it is tabless. Just a plate.


NOTE**** NEVER paint your anode as this will null its purpose!
Zinc anodes cannot perform their function unless they are exposed. Putting paint on a zinc smothers it, rendering it useless. Never coat zinc anodes with bottom paint, or anything else.

Outdrives
The mix of immersed metals makes stern drives and outboards particularly prone to galvanic corrosion. Many are fitted with multiple anodes. Typically, these include at a minimum a sacrificial trim tab (intended to warn you of depletion by a change in steering), a zinc plate or two attached to the gear case or the anti-ventilation plate, and perhaps anodes in the exhaust cavity and in the cooling-water jacket. It is a good idea to consult your engine manual to be sure you know where every anode is located. Then check all of them and renew any that are more than half depleted.




For the salt water boaters, How often do you change your anodes?