Sacrificial anode or not

[freespirit3]

When I bought our rib back in 2014 had some challenges, one of which was the anode, I replaced it but before I could I noticed some strange corrosion to the trim head cap.

The following photographs show my work this evening to remove, clean up and replace with a new part.

[freespirit3]

The sad trim cap

[freespirit3]

More work to remove

[freespirit3]

Thought it was going to get nasty

[freespirit3]

Finally got it out and pleased to find no piston damage or fluid contamination

[freespirit3]

The damage is quite scary

[freespirit3]

I think one to two weeks more in the water would have seen the seal finally give up leading to contamination

Cleaned it all up and pleased with the results, not fully tightened yet as I need to get some more fluid, want to replace the fluid whilst it still easy to remove the fluid.

I would suggest you all never ignore the signs of the anode deteriorating,, this could have been a nightmare, the salt water had got down and caused it seize in the aluminium body. I was lucky that it came out without breaking up.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by freespirit3

The damage is quite scary

By lad that's had some cosh

[spartacus]

Good job.

I assume those circular indents in the trim cap are for a specialised Suzuki tool to remove? Cold chisel and a lump hammer to the rescue. The specialised tool isn't cheap.
http://www.offshoremarineparts.com/82709.html

Double-check the earth strap (assuming there is one) on the leg. I've seen these break which increases corrosion.

[freespirit3]

I managed to find a grinder disc removal tool that was a perfect fit, but the cap was solid, I suspected that there may be some corrosion that had caused it to seize in the body.

I started with a small narrow chisel as I was scared I might hit the body or the piston, for confidence measures I put a mark on the cap and the same mark on the housing so I could see if it was moving, after about 30-45mins it started to move, took it nice and steady tap by tap, plenty of salt deposits came out as dust and then suddenly it freed off.

Will check the wire, thanks for the tip

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by spartacus

The specialised tool isn't cheap.

Was going to make one out of a piece of heavy iron pipe and a couple of drill bits. Deferred the project out of pure laziness.

Double-check the earth strap (assuming there is one) on the leg. I've seen these break which increases corrosion.

If the discrete metal bits aren't tied together electrically, the anode won't protect them. The little ground wires are pretty important.

jky

[two stroke mick]

If the discrete metal bits aren't tied together electrically, the anode won't protect them. The little ground wires are pretty important.
Amen brother Jky