outdrives damaged by electrolosis

[gnaquin]

I am looking at a used 2000 30' Chris Craft crusier. It has two brand new Volvo outdrives. The old ones had to be replaced because of a severe electrolosis problem. Could the boat have any other problems because of this? Should I stay away from it?

 

[Solittle]

Re: outdrives damaged by electrolosis

Kinda depends on what caused the electrolosis. Frequently when this problem comes up the cause turns out that the boat was stored in a slip in the water in a marina and stray current from other boats or the marina was the cause. Do you know if the owner had (and maintained) the sacraficial zinks on the boat?

 

[gnaquin]

Re: outdrives damaged by electrolosis

Don't know if boat had zincs or not. I was told that the damage happened in a marina. My biggest concern is if this could have caused any other problems to the boat that I can't see. I am new to boating and this would be my first boat purchase.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: outdrives damaged by electrolosis

Pretty much any metal connected to the drive,bellhousing,transom plate,and motor.Everything should be bonded together so the galvanic action is distributed evenly.To answer your question---YES---there are plenty of other things that can be damaged. charlie

 

[mattttt25]

Re: outdrives damaged by electrolosis

check to see if the bottom paint extends to and touches the outdrives. have been told this can contribute to electrolysis. you want to see a small separation on the transom, even if it's just a half an inch. those new outdrives may be headed down the same path...

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: outdrives damaged by electrolosis

As CC mentioned the bell housing, gimbals and the transom plates. Problem is a lot of those assemblies can't be readily imspected. If they have rotted they will leak causing major problems. Check under the water intake hose on the bell housing with your eyes and fingers - it is a know problem area.

 

[MrBill]

Re: outdrives damaged by electrolosis

One of two (or both) types of corrosion could be the problem. Galvanic corrosion and electrolysis are terms often interchanged, although significantly different.<br /><br />With galvanic corrosion a current is actually produced by two dissimilar metals and the least noble coorrodes. Electrolysis or stray current corrosion occurs when an electrical current flows to metal from a source that is leaking into a medium (such as battery current into water). The metal contacted dissolves in the medium.<br /><br />Chances are that your boat suffered from electrolysis. Commercial environments like large marinas have lots of equipment that can leak current, underwater lighting, welding equipment, shore power, generators, etc. If the boat sat for extended periods of time near a source like this...voila...mucho problemo.