The Importance of Anode Components on Yamaha Outboard Engines

Halo Bahari pals, in this article we will discuss about “The importance of checking & replacing Anode on Yamaha outboard engines”. Before discussing further, metal levels can be sorted based on their potential stress as in the table below.

In the Table, it explained that from metals that have potential plus voltage (+V) we will call it Cathode. Based on the table also, the metal that has the highest Cathode properties is Platinum with a potential stress of (+0.3v), followed by Graphite, Gold, Titanium, Silver, and Stainless Steel. All metals whose potential voltage is plus (+V) can also be called “precious metal”.

On the other hand, a metal that has a minus potential (-V) can be referred to as Anode/Anod, based in this table, the metal with the highest Anode properties is Magnesium, with a potential voltage of (-1,75v), then there is Zync (-1,25v), Galvanized Steel (-1,25v), Aluminum (-1,25v), Mild Steel, Cast Iron, Lead, Brass, Copper, Bronze, Monel Alloy and Nickel

Why should the outboard engine use Anode ?

If there is a positive (+) pole and Negative (-) pole, there will always be a transfer of electrons (-) from the Negative pole to Positive pole. With this, all the particle in the Anode metal will be exhausted over time, this phenomenon we usually call “corrosion” or “rust”.
The following bellow is an example of how the phenomenon of corrosion or rust can occur in outboard engines for bahari pals.

As Bahari pals can see the corrosion on the outboard engine, starting in the Bracket area, Upper Casing, Lower casing, until the Propeller area has corroded. This happens if a metal is oxidized by air or liquid (in this case sea water), it is certain that corrosion or rust will occur.

How to prevent the phenomenon of corrosion or rust occur to Bahari pals the outboard engine ?

If bahari pals don’t want your outboard engine to have corrosion or rust, what you need to pay attention to is the “Anode” component.

The following below is an example of Anode component in outboard engine that has been exposed to corrosion/ rust.

This is supposed to be happens, the Anode is deliberately made for corrosion/ rust, so that all other metals in the Outboard engine apart from the Anode will be protected from corrosion/rust won’t be damaged, only the Anode does.

In the picture, you can see that there are several Anodes that have rust, namely those in the Bracket section, and in the Lower Unit section, then in the following picture you can see, this is an example of anode on the F250 engine head and on the water line outboard F250, or it can be called the Internal Anode.

So, What is Anode like on good condition the outboard engine ? in the following, you can pay attention to one of examples of the Anode in the Bracket section when it is in prime condition compare to the Anode where corrosion/rust has occurred. If Anode component on the Bahari pals outboard engine has corroded/rust as shown in the picture, but you using it/ not replacing, it is certain that the other outboard engine components will be damaged. In this case, it means that we can concluded the Anode function is to reduce the risk of corrosion/rust on the Bahari pals outboard engine.

The following is an example of an anode bracket that is attached to the F50 engine in prime/ good condition. Bahari pals can pay attention, there are three Anodes in the bracket that are still in prime condition.

Then for one of the internal anodes on the outboard engine, it can be seen in the following picture. This internal anode is inside the outboard exhaust cover of the F20. Bahari pals can pay attention, this internal Anode must be checked periodically, and for reminder to be able to check it bahari pals need to open the outboard engine.

Unlike the intermal anode on the outboard engine which requires opening your outboard engine, on the Anode Bracket you only need to trim your outboard engine until you see the Anode component, then make changes if corrosion occurs.

The following is an example of anode bracket on the outboard engine F300B. Bahari pals can pay attention again to Anode, a cable is installed, which is a mass cable that function to improve the work of the Anode, it is also important to always install this mass cable after replacing the Anode, because otherwise the performance of the Anode will not function as it should be.

Anode components didn’t have to look like a brand new, but if we see the physical changes that occur in the Anode at least 50% of prime condition, then the replacement must be done immediately because this will once again cause other components damaged on Baharai pals outboard engine.

For more details, please check the video below: