Optima red top leaking!
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Le Mans Master
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Optima red top leaking!
I replaced my stock battery with an Optima about 3 years ago. I was scared into it by all the stock battery leaking acid stories.
Well guess what? My Optima redtop is leaking acid from around the positive terminal. It's just a trickle, but it has reached the base of the battery.
Does anyone make a battery that doesn't leak???!!!
Well guess what? My Optima redtop is leaking acid from around the positive terminal. It's just a trickle, but it has reached the base of the battery.
Does anyone make a battery that doesn't leak???!!!
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From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
They can leak, is the case cracked? It is a sealed case. I would replace it ASAP
First time I have heard of a red top leaking
First time I have heard of a red top leaking
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From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by Yoggi
I thought the advantage of a gel cell battery was that it would not leak!!
"All you ever wanted to know about AGM and Gel Cell batteries"
In AGM batteries, the acid electrolyte is absorbed in the glass mat and they are less prone to leaking than standard sealed lead acid batteries. However, if the case is cracked, they can sometimes leak a little from the acid that seeps from the glass mats.
Last edited by GrayC5; Aug 29, 2005 at 11:45 PM.
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St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Rob 99
You should inquire from Optima about the warranty if it is indeed cracked they should cover it.
Heres warranty information on their site.
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Originally Posted by Silver98
To much torque on the post and the case would crack. Silly question, but when it was installed, was it 'over-torqued'?
Could be the cause. Haven't heard of any Red Tops leaking either.
Burning Brakes
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From: Morganton, NC, USA
Originally Posted by phils C5 vette
I just replaced my wifes OEM 2000 battery because she left the XM raido on.
My oem 2000 is still working fine !!
My oem 2000 is still working fine !!
Is there anyone who wouldn't consider this a close call? Also, remember that the worst part about the battey leaking is the acid getting on the PCM and multi-pin wire connectors. Corroded connectors are bound to give numerous problems years later.
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Originally Posted by GrayC5
I often see the Optimas referred to here on the Forum as a gel cell battery. However, according to the Optima web site, the Red Top and Yellow Top are Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries, not gel cell, and there is a difference:
"All you ever wanted to know about AGM and Gel Cell batteries"
In AGM batteries, the acid electrolyte is absorbed in the glass mat and they are less prone to leaking than standard sealed lead acid batteries. However, if the case is cracked, they can sometimes leak a little from the acid that seeps from the glass mats.
"All you ever wanted to know about AGM and Gel Cell batteries"
In AGM batteries, the acid electrolyte is absorbed in the glass mat and they are less prone to leaking than standard sealed lead acid batteries. However, if the case is cracked, they can sometimes leak a little from the acid that seeps from the glass mats.
Somehow the case must have suffered a serious impact to have developed a leak. Did you, or the installer, drop it?
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Houston TX
Originally Posted by GrayC5
I often see the Optimas referred to here on the Forum as a gel cell battery. However, according to the Optima web site, the Red Top and Yellow Top are Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries, not gel cell, and there is a difference:
"All you ever wanted to know about AGM and Gel Cell batteries"
In AGM batteries, the acid electrolyte is absorbed in the glass mat and they are less prone to leaking than standard sealed lead acid batteries. However, if the case is cracked, they can sometimes leak a little from the acid that seeps from the glass mats.
"All you ever wanted to know about AGM and Gel Cell batteries"
In AGM batteries, the acid electrolyte is absorbed in the glass mat and they are less prone to leaking than standard sealed lead acid batteries. However, if the case is cracked, they can sometimes leak a little from the acid that seeps from the glass mats.
I've used everything from AGM, to gel, and even a dry cell (small, light, plenty of CCA, but next to no reserve capacity). IMO AGM is the way to go and typically durable. I'd be curious what kind of abuse the case endured if it physically cracked.
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Thanks for the replies guys.
I installed the battery myself, so no abuse occured during that phase. I think it can only be blamed on a factory defect...
Fred
I installed the battery myself, so no abuse occured during that phase. I think it can only be blamed on a factory defect...
Fred
Le Mans Master
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From: Twilight zone
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by Mike Mercury
you can always try the Exide Orbital battery. Same technology - but by different mfgr.
You very well may need a couple copper washers( the ones used for the fluid connections on the calipers work fine) because it was my experience the holes are not drilled/tapped deeply enough to completely tighten and create positive contact. thus the washers.
Don't ask me why,but I struggled with this for a while...It did not make sense to me...but it does work fine now
