Yamaha vs. Honda bonding practices

[Cpo]

I am the owner of 2003 twin Honda BF 200s. I recently became aware that I have a corrosion/electrolysis problem with them. I was informed of this by a Honda dealer who was servicing my water pumps. Specifically the trim units seem to be corroding. the dealer was not able to offer a reason for this problem occurring. Upon receiving the boat back from him I began to investigate the problem.
Here is what I found.
First my outboards are not bonded with jumper wires from the trim unit to the tilt bracket, tilt bracket to the pivot bracket, the pivot bracket to the lower unit. These are three jumpers that are installed on Yamahas, and Mercurys, but apparently not Hondas. I have already replaced one trim unit, and will have to do the other one soon as it is acting as an anode. Does anyone (Rodbolt) have any history on this as it seems to me that this is a design flaw with Honda.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Yamaha vs. Honda bonding practices

bonding is just that, it holds all the metal parts at the same electrical potential when submerged in an electrolyte(saltwater).
look at your old trim unit, find a spot that you can drill a 9/32 hole about 3/8ths deep without striking oil.
then order the continuity kit from mercruiser.
it will come with various self tapping screws and several stainless steel bonding wires.
bond the trim unit to the bracket then bond the bracket to the midsection, I also like to see the midsection bonded to the steering tiller.
sometimes I wish Engineers would consult us low life techs but they wont.
and my experience with honda is like tohatsu and suzuki, very fine product but they seem to corrode badly in saltwater.
years ago when suzukis where white we called them alka-seltzer motors, drop them in saltwater and watch them fizz.
luckily all manufacturers seem to be making strides in corrosion protection some better than others.
but if your dealer cant help you with bonding then buy the continuity kit and do it your self.

 

[Cpo]

Re: Yamaha vs. Honda bonding practices

Rodbolt, Thanks for the info on the repair. In all probability I am going to either insist that the dealer drill and tap the necessary locations so that we can install stainless bolts with neverseize in order to facilitate maintenance later, or do it myself. I believe that I may not have to do any drilling and tapping as it appears that there is an unused tap on both sides of the pivot arm bracket near the top, and the trim locating switch mounting bracket screw would serve as the other location. The lower jumper could be handled the same as Yamaha, by jumpering from the lower unit case jumper to the grease fitting on the pivot arm bracket. I installed the jumpers between the tilt bracket and the trim cylinder in November of 2006 when I replaced the first trim unit. I thought that I had corrected this problem then. What a surprise. At this point could you give me some history on bonding wires? I stopped by a marina yesterday and looked a various outboards from different manufactures (not Suzuki) and found that in most cases all of the jumper wires discussed are installed, even in older 2 strokes. I really want to put the responsibility and cost of these repairs on Honda as I am of the opinion that it is their responsibility due to a faulty design.
Thanks