Battery is leaking fluid...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Battery is leaking fluid...
I pulled my side post battery out of my '92 a few weeks ago to store in the house while the car is in winter hibernation, last night I went and looked at the battery 'cause I was going to put a float charger on it, when I noticed what is obviously battery fluid leaking out of the positive terminal side. I didn't notice this when I originally pulled it, so I went out to the garage and took a closer look at the car's battery tray, and found no evidence of leakage...Should I be concerned? Is this just normal fluid expansion when moving between temperatures?
BTW it's a 6 year AC Delco which came with the car whn I bought it, it appears to be fairly new, never had any low battery starting issues either. One thing I did notice about the battery when I got the car 2 years ago was that the indicator on top never lit up, but like I mentioned earlier it didn't seem to have a weak charge. Sorry about the long read for a simple issue. Thanks
BTW it's a 6 year AC Delco which came with the car whn I bought it, it appears to be fairly new, never had any low battery starting issues either. One thing I did notice about the battery when I got the car 2 years ago was that the indicator on top never lit up, but like I mentioned earlier it didn't seem to have a weak charge. Sorry about the long read for a simple issue. Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Side post leaks is a major cause of battery failure.
It is time to replace your battery.
The C4 is prone to front end vibrations. that is what usually combines with over torquing to cause the side post leaks.
The most leak resistant technology out there today is the spiral cell technology. This means Optima Red Top or Exide Orbital. The Exide is also sold at Sam's Club under their Nascar XLT branding.
It is time to replace your battery.
The C4 is prone to front end vibrations. that is what usually combines with over torquing to cause the side post leaks.
The most leak resistant technology out there today is the spiral cell technology. This means Optima Red Top or Exide Orbital. The Exide is also sold at Sam's Club under their Nascar XLT branding.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: 1984 crossfire, Alhaurin de la Torre Malaga, Spain
This is a problem that happens more. Don´t worry too much about it when it is not really leaking fluid. Mostly it is a kind of sweating and the material (often green-blue) does attract water, nasty. Clean with water (take care not to get it into your eyes), and put grease like silicone grease of vaseline at it. That will hold it back a while.
But 6 years is a very respectable age for a battery!
But 6 years is a very respectable age for a battery!
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Why did you take the battery out of the car? You can leave it in the car plugged into a automatic battery float charger. There are many brands, but Harbor Freight sells one that has been on sale recently for $6 ! This is the 21st Century version of a trcikle charger where a computer chip monitors the current drain and sets the charger up to automatically match the drain. This means your battery's charge is precisely maintained with no possibility of overcharging.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 2
From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
Also, be sure to check your battery cable and the large fuses under the hood for any signs of corrosion. The acid can run through the cable and cause all kinds of electrical gremlins and even fry your starter. Been there.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Originally Posted by 88redvert
Why did you take the battery out of the car? You can leave it in the car plugged into a automatic battery float charger. There are many brands, but Harbor Freight sells one that has been on sale recently for $6 ! This is the 21st Century version of a trcikle charger where a computer chip monitors the current drain and sets the charger up to automatically match the drain. This means your battery's charge is precisely maintained with no possibility of overcharging.
). I will be checking the cable and fuses, and I see an Optima Red Top in my future...Thanks again for the advice guys 
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 3
From: Sacramento, CA Money can't buy happiness - but it's more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than a Yugo.
My brother and i have both had problems with AC-Delco batteries leaking or going dead for no reason. The independent Corvette shop where I take my Vette used to use only AC-Delco. They have stopped putting AC-Delco batteries in their customer's Vettes because they have seen too many come back with leaking side posts. A leaking side post is a major disaster for the C5 owners because it leaks directly into the PCM located below the battery (bad design idea) and into the main wiring harness coming from the PCM. As Lichen said, the battery acid can follow the cable through its length under the plastic coating and cause all kinds of grief.
I prefer batteries made by Johnson Controls. They make Interstate, Optima, Duralast, most DieHards, and even some Everstart models for Walmart.
I will no longer buy an AC-Delco battery for any reason. I try to avoid those made by Exide as well. Non-Diehard Sears batteries, Kragen, PepBoys, and some Everlast batteries are made by Exide.
I prefer batteries made by Johnson Controls. They make Interstate, Optima, Duralast, most DieHards, and even some Everstart models for Walmart.
I will no longer buy an AC-Delco battery for any reason. I try to avoid those made by Exide as well. Non-Diehard Sears batteries, Kragen, PepBoys, and some Everlast batteries are made by Exide.
