I would think they would have to tell you that.
New Battery Solution
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Southeast Va.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 132
Likes: 11
From: East Central Iowa
I'm in the same boat - until this forum I had never heard so much about batteries leaking except when they were damaged and I spent my youth in auto repair shops and gas stations where we did mechanical work (remember those days ?). The key to a good "electrical" connection is clean clamps and post surfaces but I've seen many a person put both cheeks and then some into tightening them. I could see where that could be an issue on side post batteries. I like my top post on my 04.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,420
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From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
A little information for you all - Johnson Controls who is credited with making Autozone's Duralast battery is also the maker of the Optima and the Champion line of batteries.
This is from their web site...http://www2.johnsoncontrols.com/bg/About_Us.htm
"Johnson Controls is the largest automotive battery manufacturer in North America. We continue to gain market share as a result of our continuous efforts to improve battery quality and life, and by partnering with a select group of strong retailers and distributors.
Our aftermarket battery customers include AutoZone, Pep Boys, Interstate Battery, Sears, Wal-Mart and Costco. We also make original equipment batteries for automakers including DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Honda, Nissan and Toyota. Investments in new product and process technology that bring value to our battery customers help us maintain our market leadership."
http://www.autobatteries.com/brands/index.asp
The Optima and the Excide Orbital batteries are NOT GEL! The are spiral cell AGM (absorbed gas mat batteries), that have a sealed case made from an exceptionally strong polymer. They are not puncture or leak proof, but they are more resistant to leaks and puncture than a standard case battery. The spiral cell batteries still contain electrolyte.
http://www.optimabatteries.com/publi...utomotive.html
Also - to dispel another rumor - the reason the early side terminal batteries leaked was believed to be caused by over tightening of the terminals.
This is from their web site...http://www2.johnsoncontrols.com/bg/About_Us.htm
"Johnson Controls is the largest automotive battery manufacturer in North America. We continue to gain market share as a result of our continuous efforts to improve battery quality and life, and by partnering with a select group of strong retailers and distributors.
Our aftermarket battery customers include AutoZone, Pep Boys, Interstate Battery, Sears, Wal-Mart and Costco. We also make original equipment batteries for automakers including DaimlerChrysler, Ford, Honda, Nissan and Toyota. Investments in new product and process technology that bring value to our battery customers help us maintain our market leadership."
http://www.autobatteries.com/brands/index.asp
The Optima and the Excide Orbital batteries are NOT GEL! The are spiral cell AGM (absorbed gas mat batteries), that have a sealed case made from an exceptionally strong polymer. They are not puncture or leak proof, but they are more resistant to leaks and puncture than a standard case battery. The spiral cell batteries still contain electrolyte.
http://www.optimabatteries.com/publi...utomotive.html
Also - to dispel another rumor - the reason the early side terminal batteries leaked was believed to be caused by over tightening of the terminals.
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 69
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From: Out in the Woods VIRGINIA
battery
Hey black& tan I too never seen batteries leak like everyone says.. its the dreaded side posts by gm .I too owned alot of fords (no side posts) but what is it about corvettes they just eat batteries I own a 5 yr old f150 with 97,000 miles a zillion starts and its still goin and I owned about 30 autos in my lifetime and never seen such issues with batteries as I do with vettes. I too just replaced my battery with one from advance auto (first delco leaked with last owner) and I do have side post and i'm not concerned ( its not a delco) believe its autocraft just lift the hood and check it every once in a while ...
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,664
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From: Sonoran Desert of Arizona
IF AC/Delcco side terminal is as bad as suggested on this forum, why is it it only leaks if installed in a C5 Corvette? I have ran this type battery in all of my cars since 1973 and have NEVER once had a leaker. Life was generally 4-5 yrs.
Could this failure rate be due to the non mechanically inclined tinkerers messing with things they dont know about, such as the over torquing mentioned above?
I will keep with the oem battery till it dies, then a Costco will replace it.
Could this failure rate be due to the non mechanically inclined tinkerers messing with things they dont know about, such as the over torquing mentioned above?
I will keep with the oem battery till it dies, then a Costco will replace it.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
IF AC/Delcco side terminal is as bad as suggested on this forum, why is it it only leaks if installed in a C5 Corvette? I have ran this type battery in all of my cars since 1973 and have NEVER once had a leaker. Life was generally 4-5 yrs.
Could this failure rate be due to the non mechanically inclined tinkerers messing with things they dont know about, such as the over torquing mentioned above?
I will keep with the oem battery till it dies, then a Costco will replace it.
Could this failure rate be due to the non mechanically inclined tinkerers messing with things they dont know about, such as the over torquing mentioned above?
I will keep with the oem battery till it dies, then a Costco will replace it.
I think that's the reason behind many failures of oem parts...
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
IF AC/Delcco side terminal is as bad as suggested on this forum, why is it it only leaks if installed in a C5 Corvette? I have ran this type battery in all of my cars since 1973 and have NEVER once had a leaker. Life was generally 4-5 yrs.
Could this failure rate be due to the non mechanically inclined tinkerers messing with things they dont know about, such as the over torquing mentioned above?
I will keep with the oem battery till it dies, then a Costco will replace it.
Could this failure rate be due to the non mechanically inclined tinkerers messing with things they dont know about, such as the over torquing mentioned above?
I will keep with the oem battery till it dies, then a Costco will replace it.
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 77
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From: Phoenix AZ
Couldn't you use a battery mat under a traditional lead 3acid battery to catch the leakage? I did notice the tell tale markings of a battery leak on the frame underneath when I pulled out my battery on my '01. My optima goes dead after a few days while my Duralast Gold is good for weeks.
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From: Fort Wayne IN
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As an Auto Zone employee (part time Sales Manager there) I will give another reason for going with the AZ Duralast batteries other than the warranty length: The warranty process itself.
AZ is the ONLY parts company that keeps customers warranty information in a database accessable throughout all 4000+ stores in the country. Meaning, you can lose your reciept, burn it in effigy, or frame it. Do whatever. As long as your information is taken down at the time of purchase (it should be as the computer asks for it every time something with a warranty is sold) your warranty can be looked up in the computer.
Plus, for other parts, a little known fact is that AZ does price match +10% as long as the lower price is proven (phone call from store, advertisement, ect.)
Hope this was semi-helpful information to some guys.
AZ is the ONLY parts company that keeps customers warranty information in a database accessable throughout all 4000+ stores in the country. Meaning, you can lose your reciept, burn it in effigy, or frame it. Do whatever. As long as your information is taken down at the time of purchase (it should be as the computer asks for it every time something with a warranty is sold) your warranty can be looked up in the computer.
Plus, for other parts, a little known fact is that AZ does price match +10% as long as the lower price is proven (phone call from store, advertisement, ect.)
Hope this was semi-helpful information to some guys.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
I replaced my AC DELCO battery with a Duralast Gold last December after the AC Delco died. When I removed the AC DELCO the positve post pulled completely out of the battery when i went to take the cables off. After pulling the battery out I could see where the battery had a small leak coming from the bottom of the terminal. Their was no damage but it could have been a nightmare. So far the Duralast has worked fine and hasn't leaked or failed to crank in any weather.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
[QUOTE=Dave68;1561172916............Heck, my OEM battery is more than 6 years old now and still starting like a champ![/QUOTE]
Uh, oh. Now there's the kiss of death statement Dave.
Uh, oh. Now there's the kiss of death statement Dave.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
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From: San Diego CA
Well, actually, I've been saying that ever since it surpassed the 5-year mark. As was the case with my column lock, I'd like to see how long that thing will last. Fortunately, I do have jumper cables in the back!
Dave
Dave
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
