Battery corrosion causes?

[Solo2driver]

I don't consider myself a n00b when it comes to most things automotive, but this is really stumping me.

New battery in my wife's Saab, cleaned the terminals and put anti-corrosion gel and the treated felt pads on there. Within a month, they are all fuzzed up. Baking Soda to neutralize, cleaned, and reinstalled. Same deal. Had the car at the tinting place today, and they said the (new) battery died so they had to jump it and re-clean the terminals. The car is hard to start (typical Saab), but voltage at rest and running is in acceptable ranges.

EDIT-- when I say fuzzed up, not just a little bit...picture a terminal in your had, and the rest of your fist is acidic corrosion...it's A LOT!!!

My Subaru is also getting corrosion (but not nearly to the extent of the Saab), which is making me think it may be an environmental issue (moisture/humidity?), but thinking back I may have recalled that excessive corrosion with a degrading (but new) battery may be pointing to a bad ground or grounds, or systems that remain "on" when the car is off.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[Boomer]

Leaking acid at the terminals!!

 

[Bill in Utah]

My 2007 Outback has a lot of corrosion too. My 2005 Toyota has none.

Dad's 2005 Vue has none, Moms 2002 Silverado has none and my 2000 Silverado has none.

I think the construction of the battery has more to do with it over where you live.

The Subaru's battery is the worst I've ever seen.

Take care, Bill

 

[Solo2driver]

The Subie battery is old/unknown, but not original.

The Saab has a brand-new Interstate battery....maybe I should just go back to the store? It's definitely under warranty.

 

[Chris142]

There is a gasket of some sort that is supposed to keep the acid and acid vapors from migrating up through the case where it surrounds the battery. It's probly not sealing or was not installed when the built the battery.

Was the battery built by Exide? IMO this problem is very common with Exide batteries but it could happen to any battery.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/1163585/

 

[John K]

Might excess charging rate aggravate this? Seems to me someone posted a reply about a good battery web site....I'll have to see if I can't find it.

 

[bdcardinal]

My Volvo has a trunk mount battery, i actually forget to check it because its not in the engine. whenever i peek at it, its perfectly clean with no corrosion protection on it whatsoever.

my mustang was a 98 and the battery dies in 2005 just from me leaving the lights on all the time. the OEM Ford had no fuzz whatsoever. i worked at Sears Auto Center at the time, so i threw a DieHard Gold in and had to clean it off every oil change.

my mom has a 2000 Grand Marquis. the OEM Ford battery was constantly fuzzing up. i replaced it in 2006 because i was tired of dealing with it. put a Die Hard SUV in and it still looks like a science experiment after a few weeks with pads, gel and the ford covers on it. I bought a new OEM battery harness and will install that with hopefully a new battery and see if it will stop. the car has no problems starting, it just looks weird.

 

[SHOZ]

It's nothing more than poor construction.

 

[mechtech2]

Overfilling, overcharging, and leaks at the posts are things to check.

 

[qship1996]

Overtightening can also torque the terminals and cause acid vapor leaks around them.

 

[Bluestream]

Originally Posted By: Boomer
Leaking acid at the terminals!!

X2.... take it back you should not have to accept a leaking battery