anode wearing strange--thoughts??

brirene wrote:
I'll have to agree with Chris (and respectfully disagree with Dutchman) that you've got some good life on that yet. Should easily make another season. That said, it's your call. That is normal, however.

I too will join the chorus on this opinion.. Lots of life left

The only thing strange is how evenly that one is wearing end to end, Usually you find 'em well "pitted" as it were (Take Chris's potos about 3 or 4 down from the top) that one looks dang near new (new it is smooth and slightly bigger around)

That is entirely normal- the galvanic action is greatest near the point where it's screwed in to the tank, plus it has more area contacting the steel- the plug as well as the rod. Every anode "wears" like that, and the steel rod in the center will not break. Worst case is the magnesium will come off in a big chunk. Nothing that will not flush out though.

Looks normal to me, lots of life remaining.

Sport45 wrote:
They work on a "line of sight" type basis to protect any exposed steel. Could be the bottom of the threaded plug is needing the most protection. If it was mine and I'd already bought a new one I'd install the new one. If not, I'd put a little dope on the threads and put it back in.

Don't get too carried away wrapping or doping the threads. It has to have a good electrical bond to the tank in order to work.

Something about this topic has caused me fits trying to open this "new" topic. I had an entire section of dialog that had to be forgotten just to get the photo posted??????

Anyway....Sport45's response is what I was trying to get at.

Is there something that causes just the part nearest the thread portion to be "attacked"???? It would seem that the bad guys would attack the entire anode, not just a particular section.

So....can this be caused because I completely drain my system after each use? We only get out once a month or so. I never wanted to leave stale water in the tank, so I drain it after each use. Can this be the reason for what I consider to be "funny wear".

Sport45...what do you mean by "LINE OF SIGHT"

Lynnmor wrote:
While there is a lot of life left in the magnesium material, I replace mine when it looks like that. The reason I do it, depending on water impurities, the steel rod can weaken. The lollypop shape will help fatigue the rod in the thin area. If the rod brakes off, it can be a chore to fish it out.

My thoughts...same as you...the steel portion breaks, I am going to have a hard time fishing it out of the tank.. That is a lot of material tangling on the end, with nothing to support it. Replacement is a $20.00 peace of mind.

They work on a "line of sight" type basis to protect any exposed steel. Could be the bottom of the threaded plug is needing the most protection. If it was mine and I'd already bought a new one I'd install the new one. If not, I'd put a little dope on the threads and put it back in.

Don't get too carried away wrapping or doping the threads. It has to have a good electrical bond to the tank in order to work.

midnightsadie wrote:
its out change it.

I knew I could use it a bit more, so I re-installed figuring I will buy a new one next time I pass a dealership. Still a bit of "sacrifice" left in it...just seemed strande to me that only that one section has been attacked....near the threads.

While there is a lot of life left in the magnesium material, I replace mine when it looks like that. The reason I do it, depending on water impurities, the steel rod can weaken. The lollypop shape will help fatigue the rod in the thin area. If the rod brakes off, it can be a chore to fish it out.

Seemed strange the bad guys only attacked the part nearest the threads. Would make more sense to me if the "WEAR" was spread out.

That was/is my major concern. Removal was easy, but I hear Suburbans like to fuse in place. So, it concerned me that the thread end is the only part that shows wear.

brirene wrote:
I'll have to agree with Chris (and respectfully disagree with Dutchman) that you've got some good life on that yet. Should easily make another season. That said, it's your call. That is normal, however.

Agree, completely normal and expected deterioration of the sacrificial anode rod and absolutely no need to replace it with a new one unless you have some strange desire to throw your $$ away for no good reason.