How often do you check your engine anodes?

[Quidi Vidi]

Thought I would check our engine anode today whilst we are doing a cylinder head change and general overhaul of the engine. It's something I have never checked before and to be honest I had no idea where it was. As you can see from the photo, I think it's fair to say mine has pretty much had it!
Just thought I'd share my experience in case it's of use to any other forumites.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Every year, and I change them even if only a little worn. They are dirt cheap so I can't be bothered to think about them.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Thanks for the reminder - I hav'nt done mine this year yet!

 

[WoodyP]

Once you know how often your set up eats anodes, then that is your interval. Like Ex-solent boy this an annual maintenance task on my my Beta 1050. Usually half worn, but the cost is minimal, you don't need Beta spares just look at http://www.zincsmart.com/index.htm

 

[KevinT1]

Daft question - but do all engines have an Anode ?

I have a Volvo Penta MD22 and cannot see any reference to it in the manual ?

 

[sailorman]

Daft question - but do all engines have an Anode ?

I have a Volvo Penta MD22 and cannot see any reference to it in the manual ?

Neither my Perkins 4108 or its Nanni 4150HE replacement have anodes

 

[prv]

Used to at least take them out and look at them every year. Even if they don't need changing, it helps keep the threads free. I'd give them a scrub off to keep them working well.

New engine doesn't have any as far as I know.

Pete

 

[Matata]

Beta 20, remove heat x stack and declog each year in brick cleaner for 30 secs and replace knackered anode, job done. Nik

 

[VicMallows]

I have always been sceptical as to what the little pencil anodes achieve. What exactly are they protecting? ... the entire cast-iron (in my case) engine block?. Sure, they wear away rapidly assuming they are making good electrical connection......hardly surprisingly when surrounded by a huge area of 'protected' metal.

 

[Quidi Vidi]

Once you know how often your set up eats anodes, then that is your interval. Like Ex-solent boy this an annual maintenance task on my my Beta 1050. Usually half worn, but the cost is minimal, you don't need Beta spares just look at http://www.zincsmart.com/index.htm

Thanks for that link, I just paid £20 for a replacement but your site only charges £7.66. I'll know where to go in future!

 

[Quidi Vidi]

I have always been sceptical as to what the little pencil anodes achieve. What exactly are they protecting? ... the entire cast-iron (in my case) engine block?. Sure, they wear away rapidly assuming they are making good electrical connection......hardly surprisingly when surrounded by a huge area of 'protected' metal.

Judging by the way mine has been eaten away I would say that they must be protecting something. I've just had my aluminium cylinder head go at the water channels, my thinking is that the state of my anode may have contributed to this.

 

[VicS]

Daft question - but do all engines have an Anode ?

I have a Volvo Penta MD22 and cannot see any reference to it in the manual ?

No not all engines have anodes......The older seawater cooled engines often do not

Freshwater cooled engines do not. They dont need the level of protection that a seawater cooled engine does and are in any case protected by the inhibitors in the antifreeze / summer coolant. ( no anodes in your car i suggest)

Some freshwater cooled engines have anodes in the seawater side of the heat exchanger. It depends on the design of the heat exchanger and the materials from which it is made.


MD22 is freshwater cooled isn't it? AFAIK there is no anode in the heat exchanger either. Change the antifreeze at the specified intervals

 

[Bobc]

Daft question - but do all engines have an Anode ?

I have a Volvo Penta MD22 and cannot see any reference to it in the manual ?

I don't there're aren't any in MD22/TMD22/TAMD22. It's not a "grounded" engine as I understand it (has return wires for everything). I've certainly never found any.

But if I'm wrong, will someone let me know please.

 

[VicS]

I don't there're aren't any in MD22/TMD22/TAMD22. It's not a "grounded" engine as I understand it (has return wires for everything). I've certainly never found any.

But if I'm wrong, will someone let me know please.

The MD22 and other similar engines have an insulated Dc system which does not use the engine block as the DC negative connection. ( some complication over glowplugs though IIRC that requires an earthing relay during preheating and starting)

It has nothing to do with the existence or not of anodes in the engine cooling system

 

[dilly]

hi do Thornycroft Engines have engine anodes if so where thanks dilly

 

[doug748]

Judging by the way mine has been eaten away I would say that they must be protecting something. I've just had my aluminium cylinder head go at the water channels, my thinking is that the state of my anode may have contributed to this.

You are probably correct.

It is a common failing on the Petter as there is limited alloy in that area and the anodes were often ignored. New heads are rare and expensive, you can get the area built up with weld (as I suspect you know) but you need a sound man for the job.

I always had fine service from my Petter, good for you keeping it going.

 

[NormanS]

The Volvo MD22 is actually a Perkins Prima engine, painted with extremely expensive Volvo green paint. It does not have an anode.