Corrosion Mercruiser Outdrive

ronaca88

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 4, 2014
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45
I tried to do a research on what kind of anodes does my outdrive have, but I have no luck.

The problem is that I start seeing a little corrosion on my outdrive and it is just 6 months old. I use my boat mostly on salt water and I know that I should have and specific kind of anodes.

The question is, If I have never change my anodes, what kind of anodes does Mercury put on the engines when they are new?

Should I change them for another kind of anodes for salt water?

Best regards
 

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Starcraft5834

Lieutenant Commander
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Jun 2, 2013
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Aluminum is the only anode that is safe for all applications. ask Merc what they put on a new drive.... corrosion can not be avoided....if you trailer it, after every dunk spray drive off with fresh water...
 
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ronaca88

Seaman Apprentice
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Feb 4, 2014
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Actually it is a ritual for me, every use I rinse all the boat with fresh water and soap incluiding the trailer. I just think It was a premature corrosion in the outdrive cause but the incorrecto material of anodes.
 

tpenfield

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Looks more like some paint discoloration . . .not sure about actual corrosion. Aluminum Anodes for salt water. The ones you have do not look to be adequate.
 

ronaca88

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Feb 4, 2014
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I asked Mercury about which anodes I have just to make sure. If they are not aluminum I will change them.

Best regards and thanks
 

thumpar

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Jun 21, 2007
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Try washing it off. It looks more like it is from water getting on the drive and evaporating when it gets warm. My Bravo does that.
 

JASinIL2006

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Feb 10, 2012
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Yeah, that looks like minerals left behind when water evaporates off a warm drive. (I've seen some suggestions that if you have a lot of mineral buildup, your drive may be running warm and you could be a good candidate to add a drive shower, but I don't think everyone believes in the value of a shower.) More likely to happen, I think, if you're near the max HP rating for the drive (e.g., 300 HP on an Alpha 1) and you do a lot of extended running as planing speed.

My drive gets that buildup and it comes off with either strong vinegar or CLR.

Jim
 

ronaca88

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 4, 2014
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45
Well, Mercury answer me and It turns that my outdraive HAVE aluminum anodes so, I am not concern any more about not having the right protection. I will try to wash it off like THUMPAR and JASINIL2006 said.


Thanks for the help guys.
 

thumpar

Admiral
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Jun 21, 2007
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Most recommend Aluminium unless you have shore power and no galvanic isolation.

ETA:

You could also add a Mercathode. I don't think most Alphas come with it from the factory.
 
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achris

More fish than mountain goat
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May 19, 2004
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27,468
That is scale, not corrosion. You could add a million magnesium anodes (the metal with the lowest nobility) and it wouldn't change anything... As already said, use the anodes supplied by Merc, and some MILD acid to washer the scale off...

Chris.........
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Jul 23, 2011
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if you boat long distances in salt with your alpha, the drive gets a bit warm, the spray evaporates and leaves behind the white salt.

it is a bugger to get off. I added a drive shower to my Alpha on my old searay to prevent the build-up. Added benefit, it also kept the drive nice and cool. I run for an hour straight at about 35mph between my ramp and where I liked to beach the boat.
 
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