Battery terminal buildup

[Mau]

Hey guys

So since I park my TL for the winter I decided to swap batteries between my winter beater and the TL throughout winter before I got my ctek charger.

I have left the battery from the winter beater in the TL as it was newer however I am finding I have to clean the terminal multiple times a year.

I had the battery tested, the battery is rated for 700CCA and tested at 659CCA, 12.54V @ 27 degrees celcius (which is a good battery).

Now I beleive this battery is bigger than the one from Acura. In my research online this could be caused by a bad battery or bad charging system?

I haven't had any problems with the vehicle not starting however the build up is eating up my terminal posts!

Any opinions?

Here is an image of the battery as I pulled it out of the TL, I have thoroughly cleaned and dried it, put dielectric grease on both posts and connectors, bought one of those set of cotton stuff that sits between the post and connector. I'll check in a month or so and see if it comes back.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8tgxkhk62fktqsw/20130818_144255.jpg

 

[The_Jeff]

"They" say you can crack the posts by reefing on them or over tightening the clamps. This lets acid up which will wreck stuff.

 

[yonyon]

The picture makes it look like the case has been distorted from overtightening the holddown clamp. If the battery terminals were tightened by the same guy who did that they might well have been cranked down hard enough to give you a sealing problem at the posts as eljefino suggests. When that happens you end up with gasses escaping at the posts (instead of just at the vents) and carrying acid mit. If you tend to run the battery down, the problem is multiplied.

Buy a new battery and be careful installing it.

 

[Mau]

That may be the case.... However if I loosen it the cable is able to move and come off easily...

 

[Rand]

If you crack/distort the case.. not overtightening it next time does not fix it

or you could just have an older exide(made) battery.. all mine had horrid buildup on the posts.

(including the one in my tractor)

 

[yonyon]

If someone has cranked the snot out of the bolt on the terminal and caused permanent damage to the battery case you can't fix that by loosening it up now.

Mechanic A: What's the torque spec for this head bolt?
Mechanic B: Tighten it down until it breaks then back off half a turn.

 

[Errtt]

Sure does look somewhat distorted in the pic.
That has huge + (pos) and - (neg) symbols.
Did one cap actually come green? (just curious, doesn't matter).

quote "I am finding I have to clean the terminal multiple times a year".
I'd replace it and be done with it.

 

[spasm3]

clean it off, epoxy 2 pre 1982 pennies to the top.

 

[Donald]

Clean it with baking soda and water. Use the felt washers. If it comes pack, you now have a leaker!

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
"They" say you can crack the posts by reefing on them or over tightening the clamps. This lets acid up which will wreck stuff.


+1.

Has any dielectric grease or liquid corrosion protection ever been applied?

 

[Mau]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Clean it with baking soda and water. Use the felt washers. If it comes pack, you now have a leaker!


this is what I have put on. Felt! sorry I said cotton but it is those red and green felt washers.

I've thoroughly cleaned everything.

 

[JethroBodine]

That battery is toast. Get a new one.

 

[Rand]

just snag a new one.. get an autocraft gold or silver from AAP with the 40$ off code and pickup instore.

 

[Tegger]

Originally Posted By: yonyon
If someone has cranked the snot out of the bolt on the terminal and caused permanent damage to the battery case

That's the usual reason. This battery is toast.

To tighten the terminal nuts, use ONLY the pressure of ONE FINGER on a SMALL wrench. Use your baby finger. Once your baby finger starts bending backwards, STOP! NO MORE! If you now are unable to easily rotate/rock the terminal on the post using two fingers, then it's tight enough.

Remember, folks: a battery is not a suspension component! It takes precious little force to secure the terminal to the post.