Vertigo
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My 2008 Amberjack is doing the same after 4 months - stored on a rack only in water on weekends - waiting to hear from warranty dept
Just wanted you guys to know what anodizing actually is, in case you didn't already know. Anodized aluminum can not peel, the color ( in this case black) is actually imbedded in the surface of the aluminum. Anodizing can wear off though but will not show as peeling, only as a worn surface.
Just wanted to give some information to those who wanted to know. The picture by the OP looks like bottom paint as well that the dealer screwed up and will have to eat. Mercury will probably not cover this especially with them looking to deny claims due to the economy.
Aluminum anodizing is the electrochemical process by which aluminum is converted into aluminum oxide on the surface of a part. This coating is desirable in specific applications due to the following properties:
Increased corrosion resistance
Increased durability / wear resistance
Ability to be colored through dying
Electrical insulation
Excellent base or primer for secondary coatings
The process of anodizing is rather simple. It consists of an anodizing solution typically made up of sulfuric acid. A cathode is connected to the negative terminal of a voltage source and placed in the solution. An aluminum component is connected to the positive terminal of the voltage source and also place in the solution. When the circuit is turned on the oxygen in the anodizing solution will be liberated from the water molecules and combine with the aluminum on the part forming an aluminum oxide coating.
+1. Thanks.
Your explanation was more eloquent than mine, "The anodized coating not bonding to the aluminum would be like rust not bonding to iron."
Still anxiously awaitind the diagnosis and outcome.
Yes, paint is coming off in chips and cracking
I'd be seeing RED. Again best of luck. Are they giving you loaner boat or documenting what they see and getting you back in the water for the weekend?
In addition to the metal being anodized, they are also painted by Mercury. So if it turns out they need to be repainted, I would be very carefull how you strip the old paint off or deal with any corrosion. Mercury may have some specific recommendations on this process and I would make sure you get that information before you (or your dealer) do anything with the outdrive. If you damage the anodized finish, then your drive is no better at fighting corrosion than any other (non-seacore) drive. I would imagine chemical stripping of the paint is required rather than sanding it off but I could be wrong.
Dave
Here is a couple of my observations. If I didn't know it was a stern drive, I would say the surface where the problem is, has been stinking hot. Also, they say in the movie, after the drive is anodized, it is painted. If someone painted the drive after the factory, they did a great job of painting around the blue logo, part you can see in the first picture. Seems all the paint has lifted down to the anodizing.
Couple of questions. Is only the top of the drive affected ? Does the engine get its cooling water thru the hull or up thru the drive ?
If the engine gets its cooling water thru the hull and the water fitting on the transom plate is blanked off, the installer must cut a section out of the water hose between the bell housing and the transom plate too allow cooling water to flow thru the top gear box. As the transom plate comes from the factory pre assembled with the hose intact, it is often forgotten to cut the hose for thru hull cooling.
Sterndrive installation manual, page 65
Check this out, the top box looks as though it's cooked.
Frank, Volvo's not fairing much better in their "new" stern drive market. Bottom line...while stern drives certainly have some advantages, maintenance is not one of them.:smt100Sorry to see that. Haven't you seen not to buy into any new Mercury technology until it's at least five years old? Merc does their QC on the customer's dime.