Stopping battery terminal corrosion

[carrera79]

I go over my engine at least twice a month (in nice weather at least) and I never have corrosion on my terminals. I do have those red and green washers though. Maybe that's helping out.

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engine bays (and oil pans) LOL you can eat off of

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It's a sickness. When my girlfriend asked me to do a tune up for her I ended up spending an hour and a half scrubbing down every part of her engine.

 

[2doe]

Have you guys ever tried brass terminals?

 

[Jelly]

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Originally posted by JohnnyO:

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Originally posted by Pablo:
I find those cheapa$$ silly red- green Na-bicarb soaked (Christmas colored

) felt washers to work great with zero hassle

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i do the same here.

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Ditto...

 

[MolaKule]

I have not tried the little felt washers but have had excellent results with Schaeffer's Penetro90.

 

[labman]

I have liked the side terminal batteries because I have never had one get to where the terminals need cleaned. I even converted my truck to them. I have used several brands, Delco, Extride, Firestone, Durastart, etc.

 

[T-Keith]

I agree side terminals are vastly superior. I still can't understand why top terminal batteries are made, but almost every company except GM uses them.

However, even they can cause problems once and a while. Corrosion is significantly better, but still not cured.

-T

 

[ikeepmychevytoo]

I use a light coat of engine oil. Had to re-oil it once when the battery changed. No rust for five years on a coastal area.

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Originally posted by 2doe:
Have you guys ever tried brass terminals?

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I wonder if this is why. Also I keep battery dust free, I don't touch terminals (they are oily). But aren't all of them brass?

 

[Eddie]

I just keep the battery top clean to reduce voltage leakage and no probley IF you have a decent quality battery to start with.

 

[1maniac]

Has anyone tried GC ?

 

[pfgslg]

Use the garden hose !! Keep the batt clean it'll never corrode. If its corroded now put the water pressure right to it , Not POWER WASHER, just the garden hose. It'll clean right off. Keep it hosed off it'll stay clean. No oily mess, no soda mess, no mess at all, buy nothing.

 

[JohnBrowning]

I just make sure everything is realy clean from day one. Once everything is clean I simply use moly EP grease. I usualy get about 4 years or more with no signs of corrison. I use the OEM plastic caps to keep things clean.

 

[cousincletus]

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Originally posted by pfgslg:
Use the garden hose !! Keep the batt clean it'll never corrode. If its corroded now put the water pressure right to it , Not POWER WASHER, just the garden hose. It'll clean right off. Keep it hosed off it'll stay clean. No oily mess, no soda mess, no mess at all, buy nothing.

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That's what I do. Have never had a problem with corrosion in 25 years of maintaining my cars. Wash every couple of months. I usually clean the terminals every two years or so with the special wire terminal brush from the parts store.

 

[1sttruck]

The felt washers seem to work for awhile, but I really rely on keeping the battery clean and greasing the terminals and connectors. I'll clean the area with spray on tire cleaner as a degreaser, rinse, brush the battery and area down with warm water and baking soda, rinse it off, and when it's dry liberally coat exposed metal on the terminals and connectors with grease.

 

[seotaji]

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I agree side terminals are vastly superior.

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I used to work at an auto parts chain and when we had to change a side post battery, the posts would almost always break off or the bolt head would get stripped. Poor design if you ask me.

Does anyone know what kind of grease they put on the terminals at the factory?

 

[moribundman]

I use Plastilube.