[w2much]

Any ideas on this. Motor runs and starts great. Lifted the cowling yesterday and noticed the lower left plug was getting corroded and the head bolts had what appeared to be salt around them. The gasket area was clean just some of the head bolts had the white crust . I only use it in salt water. Is my head gasket leaking or is there a water jacket attatched to the heads. I have worked on my outboards before but this one has been great to me, lots of hours and tuna this summer.

[ezeke]

Your engine can pick up salt water when loading and unloading among other things. Corrosion is also common when the anodes are poorly maintained or non-existent.

The lower left plug is the lowest one, so it is more likely that the salt water has entered the cowling. You might want to give the area a good flush with Salt-Away and then spray with WD-40 or T-9.

I keep some engine paint around to touch up the spots I have cleaned before using the Boeshield T-9.

[w2much]

Thanks for your reply ezeke. Ironic that just today I was looking at the anode realizing it should be replaced. Also noticed a concentration of white (salt?) at the telltale inside the cowling. May I then surmise that I have no worry concerning the corrosion on the plug and white(salt?) on the head bolts. I will of course rinse it down ASAP. Love this engine.

[ezeke]

By now the internal anode on the prop shaft bearing carrier will be useless and you will be depending on the anode in the cut-out space on the top of the gearcase. It must be kept in top shape and tested frequently with an ohmmeter for continuity.

There is an anode on the transom side of the midsection that should be kept in good shape as well.

I would make cleaning the bolts and the area around them a priority.

Whenever possible, you should try to flush the motor with Salt-Away.

In a salt environment, be sure to frequently grease the rams on the T&T and steering with Triple Guard grease, and withdraw the rams completely whenever possible.

[w2much]

Again Thanks for your reply. Never knew the internal anode existed. What is that doing in there? Are they regular part of LU service? Never had a LU problem except for water pumps,lucky I guess. Seems like a hell of a place for an anode. I am changing out the anode which bolts through the LU and the one on the T&T.