Hi guys

Could anyone give me some reasons why a car battery would leak acid ?

My battery has leaked in my engine bay wrecking all the paint its got onto . I just can't understand why though as its suppose to be a half decent battery. It isnt loosing its charge what so ever as i have left the car for well over two weeks standing (with alam on). I have tested the voltage going to the battery when the cars on and its around 14.5v.

The battery is suppose to be "sealed" by the way.

I'm pulling my hair out over this one so please throw some idea's at me.

Thank you for your time
Rich

 

Leaking as in a hole, or corrosion around the top and down the sides. Batteries gas off with heat and charge, and can spill. Most, except gel cells and VRLA, can spill with bumps and g forces. Batteries do not like over 14.4 and begin to overcharge. VRLA, valve regulated lead acid batteries such as Odyssey trap the water and gas given of and recycle and cannot spill. They do not have free liquid, it is gel, or absorbed mat. Osyssey can ship without hazard fees because of this. They are also safe in enclosures, do not require battery boxes, though autogroups may.

 

Hi there,

Do you think i should go for a Oddsey dry cell ? The car will be used on the track quite offen soon. It is also a daily driver so i need the battery needs to hold a good charge to. Have you got a battery you recommend for me (i'm not bothered if its heavy because i'm boosted so i'm not aiming to reduce weight as much as possible) ? I have just looked at some datalogs by the way and the battery is not getting over 14.16v

Here are some pictures :

 

We could probably re-start battery poll on opinions. Odysseys are expensive but I find them very good. I have a PC680 mounted in car, on the floor, half under the passenger seat. No leaks or problems now 4 years. I have an amp and sub and use them mostly when the car is on, but have used them working the garage, car off. I use a trickle if not going to drive, and when I turn on the stereo without running the car. Batteries do not like to sit half charged for prolonged periods, see sulfonation. I mention all of that because Odyssey is expensive and should be maintained. Probably maintained well if driven fairly regularly, which I do not in the winter. I thought weight and location of weight important for the track. If you do not need to reduce weight, then regular size Odyssey would be great, and you have less maintenance. Many people on HT have already weighed in on favorite batteries and you can search that easily. Odyssey is not supposed to be able to leak, dry mat valve regulated. Your battery choice should take that into account, but that said, I do not think most normal car batteries leak on the track.

 

Just to finish the leaking question. Not sure why the leak, or boil off and collection at the seam. Leaking or collecting at the seam, with leak above. I wonder if the battery still passes load test, though they work for quite a while after. I like Odysssey though they are expensive enough that I do not regularly recommend. It would be good for your application. You could probably get your battery load tested and ask why it ls leaking or why damp. Have you considered that your underhood temps may be overly warm. Hate to pay for a battery and then cook it.

 

Thank you for your reply's. Could the battery just be faulty ? Its only around 6 months old. The car starts fine so i guess it would pass a load test. If i do go for a Oddsey battery then will i have to keep it on a trickle charger as i can not do this. The car get driven every weekend at the moment but when the winter comes i'll be using it everyday.

 

You should not need trickle or special treatment with a full size battery. I could probably get by with once a week driving and no trickle on the PC680. I did radiocontrol for a long time and have various chargers and dischargers. Easy for me to keep up and measure volts, and amps in and out, if needed. I would take a 6 month old battery back and ask for a trade in. They can only say no.

 

My under bonnet/hood temperatures arent to hot. There actually quite cool for the setup i have.

 

They are going to refund me fully for the battery . It looks like i'll go for a Oddsey. Do you think this will suit me good ? http://www.odysseybatteriesonline.co...f=b&q=ELA59019

 

IMO a new battery cost around $150 just replace it. The damages along might cost you more than 150 replace it before it does more damage.

 

I would try to get a trade in or warranty battery and ask about leaks. As far as driving, people hit potholes and take mountain corners and you should not get a leak from that. At least try an exchange before you spend your money. If it also leaks, or if no exchange, then VRLA battery. Also, though I use Odyssey, there are other VRLA batteries. Your location England? Do not know what other brands more local.

 

You were not concerned with normal weight. I believe that the 545 is smaller than the PC680. I would have to see what is stantard size for your car. I can't remember, it has been a few years.

 

JoScro,
I have no problem with paying or doing what ever i have to. I will get a new battery ASAP.

Drive for fun,
I'll ask them what they think has caused it to leak (I doubt they will be able to help though as they don't seem to clued up). I'm hoping its just a faulty battery. I'll see what they say about the exchange battery as i'm sure they'll swap it if they were going to refund me fully. Yes i do like in England (United Kindom) I'll take a look into other batteries i could use. To be honest though i don't think Oddsey are that expensive compared to a decent brand battery anyway over here.

Thank you again !

 

My battery is 200mm height, 180mm length, 120 width. If i do end up going for a Oddsey shall i just run the biggest one i can fit ? I have a EK9 so its a Japanese import style battery.

 

51R is about 9.4" x 5.2" x 8.8" and we did not discuss your specific space. PC925 would fit on its side. Not sure what others fit your space. I believe the motorcycle and watersports batteries are suggested for metal jackets when placed in a car engine bay. The auto batteries are already made for that application. PC925MJT $210.06 shipped in US. Go to an Odyssey site and look at physical sizes to fit.

http://www.batterymart.com/p-odyssey...t-battery.html

There are less expensive VRLA batteries, though Odyssey has a good reputation.

 

PC925 about 175mm x 165 x 125 not counting terminals. About 26 lbs or about the normal battery. Since it is lead, case, and absorbed fluid, it is probably similar output. I do not know your specs.

 

A good battery shouldnt do that but i dont know the reasons outside of faulty battery that could cause it besides letting the battery die a lot. Personal experience. You already said youre getting it replaced so thats good but if its happening again then theres probably another reason. I just replaced a battery that was leaking some corrosion and i had to replace my evap canister cuz of it. Got a honda battery with a warranty and ill be keeping an eye on corrosion more regularly. Cleaning the contacts when you see any is a good idea. Mine already has some corrosion building up but its my terminal thats already bad and needs to be replaced. $100 from honda.

 

I have spoke to the company i had the battery off and they have told me if the replacement battery leaks then they will not refund or replace it. It looks like i have to get this right first shot then. I have found a few decent VRLA battery supplier's over here so i'm going to call around and try to get as much info as i can possible get today.

There is a UK Oddsey by the way so if i do chose to run one of there batteries then i can buy from them. To be honest though i may run a different brand as the other's are cheaper and i'm sure just as good.

I'm not sure on the spec's of this battery by the way. I'm not very clued up on batteies at all to be honest. I'm more of a engine building and tuning guy.

Thank you for your PM's and time so far.

 

If it happens again then its likely something else is causing it and youd need to research the possibilities. I wouldnt say its impossible that even another brand new replacement battery couldnt have the same problem and if you are certain theres nothing else causing it then theyre obligated to honor the warranty. I dont blame them for saying that though, but all they see is the money lost and will probably just point the finger at your car. Hope it works out with the new battery. If you have any concerns about the same battery, maybe opt for the refund and go with another company so u dont have to argue with warranty obligations. If it did happen on another brand you can definately rule out a battery issue.

 

I've been going around in circles in my head thinking what could be causing it. I've ruled out over charging and temperature as i no its not either. I don't know if high speed cornering/vibrations have some how damaged it or if it has been dropped or damaged before i had it. Its really pissed me off though because its made a mess in my engine bay. Its not so much the money its more the mess that bothers me. I'm going to sand down and spray the area whats been damaged by the acid. I know its not going to look perfect but it will look much better than it is at the moment. I'm going to have a ring around anyway to see what different company's are saying. I just want something that isnt going to leak again.

Thank you for wishing me luck !
Rich

 

Seems like just a bad battery. I would not go with a pc 680 for a dd imo. I seen to many problem. If your running a alarm system then the car needs to be started atleast every other day or daily. I deff do not like to use them with any sort of sound system.

Also the car battery will not go bad with a 14.4 volts charge from the alternator. i would look into a new brand.

 

Are your lights brighter than usual? I vote your alternator voltage regulator took a dump. Your car will start because it is getting more than enough voltage. Take it out and test it out at a local parts store.

 

Nope, they all seem fine. I'm getting just over 14v though when driving ? Please explain more.

 

14.4v is the normal charge voltage. Over that is too high and causes battery fluid loss. You seem to have a case leak. Perhaps not sealed well when put together. Odyssey claims to use only pure virgin lead and you pay for that. Some use old battery lead, re-refined. Not sure how all of that works, but Odyssey has a good name. As noted in the thread earlier, PC680 is not for you because of driving habits. I use it with trickle charger. If you choose VRLA type choose size to fit, largest that will fit in the space. In Odyssey, that may be PC925 as noted. Finally, you can almost equate batteries by weight, for capacity. Not entirely accurate, but you are weighing lead, acid, and case. I had a feeling that they would not replace the battery and then refund if the second does not work, so, take the money. If you have a little time, take the battery out and put an inch or so lift under one side so that the battery is not flat, and let it sit and see if the battery leaks at the case seam. Check all 4 sides.

 

I tried to search this and found that the case leak is usually at the case terminal interface where a seal can fail. Not usual but possible is a failure at the case top to bottom, where you screwdriver was. That area could also collect fluid from a leak above at the terminal.