maryland

My battery has been getting weak, so I went to replace it today. As soon as I started to remove the positive cable, the entire post started to break free from the battery, so I immediately stopped turning it. No acid has leaked yet. I know this has been a problem on the original AC Delco batteries in pre-2001 C5's.

My question is what do I do now? Is there any way to remove the battery without spilling acid? Or should I just go buy a big box of baking soda?

Also, I was planning to install the Optima Red Top 35/75 (720 CCA). Should I be using the larger Red Top 34/78 (800 CCA) instead?

Thanks.

SGT. PYLE

I would pull that battery out now! I have been thinking about getting the Red Top just to be on the safe side. I am going with the 75/35.

JR_VETTE

How can you tell the post is breaking? Isn't it covered by the insulated portion of the cable?

Honestly I don't know what to tell you. You need to be real careful. You probably already know the PCM and wiring harness is directly under the battery.

If you don't have a AGM battery, that acid IS going to come out.

Maybe you could unbolt the battery from the tray and prop it towards the back of the car so the acid is towards the back of the battery, and away from the post?

Bill Dearborn

When they get ready to let loose all you have to do is jostle them, touch them or hit a bump while driving and they fall out.
Bill

rws.1

Have some baking soda ready, try and tip it towards the firewall...
Get it out now. and sue the baking soda to quickly neutralize any spilled acid

LoneStarFRC

Of the two, I would definitely vote for the 34/78.

MikeTennent

I have the 34/70..no problems with it.

edensknight

maryland

Thanks for the advice. I unbolted the battery hold down bracket and tipped the battery back towards the firewall as far as it would go. Then I stuffed some old towels around the bottom edges of the battery box. Sure enough, as soon as I put the smallest amount of torque on the positive battery bolt, the whole terminal broke off. Thankfully, only a few drops of acid spilled while I was lifting the battery out. I sprinkled baking soda to neutralize it, then vacuumed out the entire battery box. I had to use a hack saw to cut the bolt and battery post off of the positive cable. Then I wire brushed the end of the cable to clean it up.

I removed the battery tray, and found some old corrosion underneath, and on the pcm. It didn't look too bad, but I am slightly worried that it might be a cause of problems down the road.

I replaced the battery with the larger Red Top 34/78. It was only $9 more than the 35/75. (And the 34/78 came with the red top specific hold down bracket, which was not included with the 35/75).

SLPRC5

IMO Also spray the area down with WD40..then air dry it with a compressor if you have one..or let dry over night. Good you caught it in time..things can be nasty later and exspensive..my $.02
Rsty

rws.1

Glad it worked out well for you.