Battery connector corrosion

[mclasser]

Since new, my Accord has had a tendency to develop green buildup/corrosion on the battery connectors. Doesn't matter what brand of battery but every few months I have to clean the buildup. The cables are nice and snug with good connections. Car always fires up without issue. Never had this problem with any other car I've owned. What can cause one car to do this but not others?

 

[440Magnum]

Have you tried an AGM type battery? Its usually vapors trapped near the terminals, or acid wicking up around the battery posts themselves that cause corrosion. AGM batteries eliminate the vapor factor.

If it happens with multiple batteries, I'd check to see if the car is over-charging the battery causing it to release an abnormally large amount of vapor.

 

[Eddie]

+1 over-charging or too much electrolyte. Ed

 

[Kuato]

Just glue a penny near where the corrosion appears. The corrosion will form on the penny rather than on the terminals.

 

[Brybo86]

Have you tried using dielectric grease on the connections of the new battery?

 

[Chris Meutsch]

I use wheel bearing grease on my terminals and cable ends. Never any corrosion.

 

[JHZR2]

Probably the cable was overtightened, or the seal was a bit off.

I'd take dielectric grease, petroleum jelly, fluid film, noco, or equivalent, and coat the entire terminal and metal-plastic interface after cleaning it and the cable we'll both mechanically and with baking soda-water mix.

 

[kb27]

I sell batteries for a living. Some of them I replaced have really bad corrosion, some is just clean as a whistle.

I gathered the cause of corrosion may be due to over-tightened terminals, maybe airflow and battery brands.

For new batteries installation, I'd coat with noco anti-corrosion grease on the battery post seals/terminals and hope for the best.

 

[mehullica]

Overcharging condition, possible high voltage drop on the positive or ground side

 

[SatinSilver]

I'm getting some of the green fuzz on the positive side terminal. Same thing with the prior oem battery. I'm going to put some terminal protectors on there and coat them in grease.

 

[SHOZ]

Over torquing the terminal will break the post seal on the cover.

 

[Kawiguy454]

AZ sells felt donut pads near the register that are saturated with a basic solution. PNP

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: Kawiguy454
AZ sells felt donut pads near the register that are saturated with a basic solution. PNP

This next one is from my car:

 

[Oro_O]

Felt pads cure most ills.

Another way to help is to clean/wax the top of the battery. Sounds odd, but it works. I read it from a poster in Florida. Also make sure the underside of the battery hold-down strap is not corroded. After pulling that, blasting and re-painting it, and waxing the top of the battery, I am 2+ years with zero corrosion (not using felt pads) on that vehicle which was prone to it.

 

[Lubener]

Originally Posted By: Brybo86
Have you tried using dielectric grease on the connections of the new battery?


I always had your same issues till I applied one of those "battery compounds" to the connection AFTER the clamp was attached. A regular grease will do too.

 

[Vikas]

If there is a microscopic crack near the battery terminal, nothing you do will prevent that corrosion.

 

[andyd]

A grease or oil soaked washer will slow the corrosion to a crawl

 

[Superflop]

Clean the terminals put the red n green felt donuts on then paint everything with the NCP-2 from napa. Its some goopy red glaze looking stuff from a 4oz can. I do it religiously to every vehicle i work on and never have corrosion. Thats nearly 300 vehicles and equipment.

 

[Gasbuggy]

I had a car that would get this way, I would occasionally touch the dipstick end onto the terminal when I checked the oil.

 

[sxg6]

I've had this problem recently too. First was with an autocraft gold battery, using felt washers. Second time now with a walmart everstart maxx battery, with felt washers. I recently cleaned my current walmart battery up, and instead of using felt washers, I'm giving CRC Battery Terminal Protector a try (Link). It has only been around a week, I'm hoping this stuff does the trick. This is in a Subaru, and I also removed the red plastic cover that goes over the positive battery terminal, since I think I've heard that can help contribute to corrosion.