Battery Corrosion
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Originally Posted By: ET16
I've got some corrosion on the positive terminal on a one-year-old battery. I'm wondering if the post is cracked and is venting. Any opinions?
Could be normal, just clean it up and use some contact grease, BUT check the handbook before disconnecting as you might need a radio code or set an alarm off etc. If in doubt use a thin jumper lead to keep it live whilst cleaning if practical.
I've got some corrosion on the positive terminal on a one-year-old battery. I'm wondering if the post is cracked and is venting. Any opinions?
Could be normal, just clean it up and use some contact grease, BUT check the handbook before disconnecting as you might need a radio code or set an alarm off etc. If in doubt use a thin jumper lead to keep it live whilst cleaning if practical.
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As a first step mix a baking soda and water paste and smear some around and wait a minute or two then rinse. Maybe a colored felt washer. What brand battery? My guess is the seal around the post is leaking. If it comes back a second time within 2 months, you have a leaker.
Also check the alternator voltage, if its too high that can cause problems also.
Also check the alternator voltage, if its too high that can cause problems also.
Noco makes a kit they carry it at Walmart P/N MC101, it costs a little under $3. It contains two felt washers that fit over the terminals,they provide a barrier against acid fumes that seep through improperly sealed batteries. The kit also contains a spray on corrosion inhibitor that protects the cable connectors. You can learn more at their website http://www.noco-usa.com/pdf/Noco-Catalog-Chemicals.pdf I had a similar situation on my 2006 Milan, the washers and inhibitor kept my terminals clean for 3 years until I sold it. Also if you don't feel comfortable disconecting your battery the felt washers can be cut.
Originally Posted By: Donald
As a first step mix a baking soda and water paste and smear some around and wait a minute or two then rinse. Maybe a colored felt washer. What brand battery? My guess is the seal around the post is leaking. If it comes back a second time within 2 months, you have a leaker.
Also check the alternator voltage, if its too high that can cause problems also.
+++1
As a first step mix a baking soda and water paste and smear some around and wait a minute or two then rinse. Maybe a colored felt washer. What brand battery? My guess is the seal around the post is leaking. If it comes back a second time within 2 months, you have a leaker.
Also check the alternator voltage, if its too high that can cause problems also.
+++1
About 3 batteries ago, I made a pair of washers cut out of a piece of carpet pad . I poured a cap full of oil on each one.
Originally Posted By: andyd
About 3 batteries ago, I made a pair of washers cut out of a piece of carpet pad . I poured a cap full of oil on each one.
That may work, but would be even better if you mixed something with the oil to counteract the battery acid.
About 3 batteries ago, I made a pair of washers cut out of a piece of carpet pad . I poured a cap full of oil on each one.
That may work, but would be even better if you mixed something with the oil to counteract the battery acid.
JHZR2
Staff member
I just use dilectric grease and have had good luck. If youre seeing corrosion, find a pre-1982 penny and glue it on the battery near the terminal.
If you really think it is cracked then it's time for a new battery, or clean it up and degrease it then try and seal the crack with a good slow cure thin expoxy, or a hot glue gun for a quick job. If the post won't turn it probably is not cracked.
Put a penny near each post.
They are not solid copper, but the plating is.
Oldest trick in the book.
They are not solid copper, but the plating is.
Oldest trick in the book.
Originally Posted By: ET16
I've got some corrosion on the positive terminal on a one-year-old battery. I'm wondering if the post is cracked and is venting. Any opinions?
My opinion is that somebody overdid it with the wrench when tightening the terminal and cracked the case/post seal. Most non-professionals end up doing this.
Or the charging system is overcharging, which is easily checked.
I've got some corrosion on the positive terminal on a one-year-old battery. I'm wondering if the post is cracked and is venting. Any opinions?
My opinion is that somebody overdid it with the wrench when tightening the terminal and cracked the case/post seal. Most non-professionals end up doing this.
Or the charging system is overcharging, which is easily checked.
I had this problem on a 2.5 year old Autocraft battery and I tried about everything, the felt washer, coating with the anti-corrosion gel. Finally I mixed some clear epoxy and coated around the base of the post. That seemed to have fixed the problem. So even though I could not see a crack, that must have been the problem, allowing gas to come up around the post. The battery died shortly after however. After some back and forth, Advance did replace the battery.
If your cables are not properly tightened this will happen too. Clean the terminals, make sure your cables are tight, then spray with an aerosol battery terminal spray to keep it from happening. I forget what they call this spray, but it comes in around a 6 oz can and is made just for this purpose and available at any parts store.
What's the brand/make of the battery? If it's a Exide good luck on stopping it. If it's a Deka/Johnson Controls variety you may a issue. Never had any issue's with Deka/Johnson Controls corroding the terminals.. every Exide I've had in the same vehicles have corroded. Probably will get grilled for it but just my observation...
Clean it up real well and let it dry. Then spray it down with some of your Wife's hair spray. It's the best thing I have used so far.
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