Battery acid crud on top of battery

[ACZL]

Upon opening the hood last w/e while changing oil and fuel filters, I noticed said topic heading on top of the left battery. Said "This isn't good". Spoke w/ dealer and asked if battery was covered under warranty and he said yes but (always is isn't there?) only if battery is kaput. I can bring it by and they can do a load test and I could also opt for them to do a battery service to the tune of 30 bucks to clean the posts/terminals. Anyways, am not sure what would cause the crud to be there and what do you all think?

[BenK]

PS...

Charging lead acid batteries can have the acid vaporize, more so if high speed and/or over charge

If the battery gets very warm to hot, your charging to fast or too long and boiling the acid


There should be a vent somewhere on top, but the vapor pressure can force acid vapor out through the post seal

Those felt washers are treated with antacids and I spray/soak on even more

[BenK]

Common and many time exacerbated by the age old carry strap that clamps on both terminals and/or rough handling while tightening the cable clamps


Recently tossed my decades old post clamp battery handle after noodling this exact topic. Saw how it places high stress on both posts that messes up the post to case seal

Still see shops using that old style and think most of their customers will have compromised battery post to case seals

Bought a new carry handle from NAPA that looks like the old world ice block carry. This tool clamps on the side of the battery case and does not involve the post

I've always used dialectric grease on the post/case. Then a felt washer (they are next the batteries at parts stores) and the soak the felt with battery spray (also next to the batteries)....then the cable clamp, which I do not horse around so as to not mess up the new battery post seal

If the cable clamp has become stretched, either replace with new...or use copper tape wound on the post to increase it's dia


This is the tool. walmart

[mkirsch]

Cleaning and neutralizing is only a temporary solution. Goop or sprays are also only a temporary solution. The corrosion will come back unless you replace the battery.

Airflow can slow it down.

[Etstorm]

Coca Cola works as well

[MFL]

While baking soda is great for battery clean up, be very careful about any getting inside the battery from any opening.

Jerry

[Captain_Happy]

Another method is baking soda & vinegar. And rinse well.

[SidecarFlip]

The 'goop' I use is di-electric grease, not vaseline. Never heard of anyone (dealer) replacing a battery from gassing off and leaking around the terminals but maybe in California where anything is possible.

[midnightsadie]

yep defective battery,it has a leak, if they won,t change it, clean, then put a little goop around the post let dry for a day. it stopped mine from gassing off.

[dodge_guy]

That type of buildup is from a leaking battery. There is a small crack around the battery post that is allowing the gasses to escape and the resulting crud buildup. Tell them the battery is leaking. They have a failure code for that and can replace a leaking battery even though the battery may test good. And tell them to replace both so the system functions properly.

[DutchmenSport]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
...
The better way is a mixture of baking soda and water, ...

The best preventive solution is, ... a generous "glob" of Vaseline ...

Agree. This has worked and worked well, I think, since batteries were created. My dad taught me this exact same thing when I was about 7 years old. I'm 64 now. And over the years, I've used my share of baking soda.

[theoldwizard1]

ACZL wrote:
Upon opening the hood last w/e while changing oil and fuel filters, I noticed said topic heading on top of the left battery. Said "This isn't good". Spoke w/ dealer and asked if battery was covered under warranty and he said yes but (always is isn't there?) only if battery is kaput. I can bring it by and they can do a load test and I could also opt for them to do a battery service to the tune of 30 bucks to clean the posts/terminals. Anyways, am not sure what would cause the crud to be there and what do you all think?

That is from gases escaping, typically from a very small crack.

The quick way to get rid of that stuff is a garden hose and nozzle.

The better way is a mixture of baking soda and water, applied liberally with an old paint brush (or auto parts cleaning brush) until it stops foaming and rinse well.

The best preventive solution is, when dry, to remove each terminal from the post, and place a generous "glob" of Vaseline on the post and around each edge. This is typically where the gases leak from and the Vaseline will prevent them from escaping.