D6 Engine Anodes

[dbsea]

According to the Volvo Penta Manual, there are two pencil anodes that need replacing (subject to inspection). I have the replacements, but i'm unclear on the process. It says to drain the seawater system with the 3 nipples, does that mean open the nipples and sea water will drain out, or coolant? It says:

Draining seawater system
Use a suitable receptacle while draining.
Open the drain nipple (1) by carefully screwing the
nipple. Use a no. 17 block spanner if the nipple sticks.
Drain all coolant and screw in the nipple by hand.
Move the hose and then continue to drain the coolant
from the drain nipple (2) and (3).

Unclear if "coolant" is just seawater in this case. Regarding the anodes themselves, it seems that there are two, one on the intercooler and one on the heat exchanger. The intercooler one looks easy enough to get at. The heat exchanger one looks like i'm going to need to remove the panel / soundproofing behind the webasto box in the cabin sole hatch where the water pump is (C30). I can't see any other way to get at this unless you're a midget who can do a reach around :-D

Looking for some validation on all of the above. Thanks!

 

[dbsea]

Bumping this up…

 

[knotflying]

I'm not a Volvo aficionado, but there should be no anode in the closed system with antifreeze. so I assume they are talking seawater from the heat exchangers.

 

[BB marine]

Anodes are in the closed cooling system protecting the after cooler and heat exchanger. If you are operating the engine in salt water and salt water is in the exchangers it is a good idea to flush the engine with fresh water before draining the raw water cooling. This will help reduce salt water spilling on the engine and components in the engine compartment. The removal of the after cooler anode is not bad. The heat exchanger anode is located in the forward section of the exchanger almost right in line with the belt. Changing the anode and inspecting and adjusting the belt at the same time is a good practice. Having the belt removed makes the removal of the anode easier. Neither job is easy to access in Cutwaters or Rangers so if you do them both at the same time you only have get your arms and hands skinned up one time instead of two times!!!!

 

[dbsea]

Thanks Brian. I’ll wait till the boat’s back in the water and back at my Marina (fresh water) before I do it.