Leak thru the lower aluminum anode bolt, I recently installed them after redoing transom. Do you put silicone around the bolt prior to tightening?

[1985 Century Mustang]

I rebuilt my transom recently. I took it out today for the very first time and had noticed water was coming in from the lower starboard aluminum anode bolt. It wasn't coming out of the other side, just the starboard side.

Question - when installing the anode bolt and the egg shaped anode, other than the small rubber washer, do you silicone the threads on the bolt also?

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

Ok, In what I have read on this forum, they recommend using 3M adhesive, either 4200 or 5200, question is it possible to loosen those 2 lower aluminum nuts without removing the engine again, I surely hope not.

 

[cyclops222]

I would never use 5200 as a removable sealant. It gets like epoxy with time.

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

I would never use 5200 as a removable sealant. It gets like epoxy with time.

Thanks, I just bought the 3M 4200 on Amazon.

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

Do I need to totally remove the lower bolt and seal it, or can I try just using the marine adhesive on the outside?

 

[alldodge]

Do I need to totally remove the lower bolt and seal it, or can I try just using the marine adhesive on the outside?

I would remove the bolt, fill with 4200 and reinstall

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

Update - Today I was able to stop the leak coming in from the anode bolt by removing the acorn zinc and filling in some 3M 4200 in and around the outside of the acorn zinc, I then tightened it up pretty good. No leaks, dry as a bone. That stuff really works nice.

 

[airshot]

I never use silicone due to the fact that once you use it, nothing else will ever stick there. And it doesn't last, especially below the water line. Plenty of other better quality products...