C 5 Battery question
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 349
From: Layton Utah
I've used Delco batteries for over 18 years on my 04 coupe. Never had an issue. I replace them about every 5 years as preventative maintenance because the C5 does not tolerate weak batteries. If it were me, I would stay with the one you have and just check it once in a while like other maintenance items. Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 349
From: Layton Utah
Sorry your going through big cash outlays at one time. My harmonic balancer was also replaced last summer at about 75,000 miles. I can't remember exact cost but but I believe it close to the 1200 to 1300 area. I could see D.C. being higher. Here is to better luck in the future.
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If you keep the new battery, put an absorbent pad under it as mentioned. I ran AGM batteries in my last two C5s, but not so sure I would ditch a brand new lead acid battery unless the shop would take it back.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
This was a long time ago, but here's what I remember:
GM originally equipped C5s with lead acid batteries. Unfortunately, the factory had been torquing the clamps, excessively and caused the battery cases to crack and leak down onto vacuum hoses. Starting in 2001, GM switched over to AGM batteries which were less likely to leak if damaged. At some point, GM went back to regular lead acid batteries. The AC Delco batteries had been extensively redesigned with stronger cases and terminal supports. They carried a 50-month free-replacement warrant.
My OEM AGM battery lasted 6.5 years before needing replacement. However, I knew that replacement lead acid batteries with the beefed-up cases were no longer likely to crack and spill acid, so I went in that direction from 2007 to 2014 when I sold my C5. I never had a leakage issue.
Side note: The following recommendations were posted in this forum in August of 2006:
GM originally equipped C5s with lead acid batteries. Unfortunately, the factory had been torquing the clamps, excessively and caused the battery cases to crack and leak down onto vacuum hoses. Starting in 2001, GM switched over to AGM batteries which were less likely to leak if damaged. At some point, GM went back to regular lead acid batteries. The AC Delco batteries had been extensively redesigned with stronger cases and terminal supports. They carried a 50-month free-replacement warrant.
My OEM AGM battery lasted 6.5 years before needing replacement. However, I knew that replacement lead acid batteries with the beefed-up cases were no longer likely to crack and spill acid, so I went in that direction from 2007 to 2014 when I sold my C5. I never had a leakage issue.
Side note: The following recommendations were posted in this forum in August of 2006:
I'm a GM tech, i've been through all the classes and so on, what you are sopposed to do is find the reserve capacity of the battery in the car. Take the reserve capacity of the battery and divide it by 4. You should not have a draw bigger than this number. Example: if a battery has a reserve capacity of 100 minutes, the current drain should not exceed 25 mA. I don't know if you guys are remembering to remove the key from the ignition either, but that too can keep some modules awake. On some of the newer cars, what others have said of 1hr to go to sleep is possible. Many new vehicles take a minimum of 20 minutes for the BCM to shut down, a new caddilac on the other hand, will take 45+ minutes. A 2004 Corvette has a Reserve Capacity of 110 minutes, so you shouldn't have any more than 27.5mA draw. The factory battery in a 2000 has a 115 minute reserve capacity, meaning no more than 28.75mA draw. This is also a cool little chart deal that GM gives us, showing you your battery run down time.
Current Drain Days
25 mA 30.5
50 mA 16.5
75 mA 11
100 mA 8.25
250 mA 3.3
500 mA 1.65
750 mA 1
1 A 0.8
2 A 0.4
I know GM had a revised Alternator for the Corvette's, it has a different part number. Also I can find 10 seperate bulletins for 2000 corvette's if you do a search using the term "battery"
Current Drain Days
25 mA 30.5
50 mA 16.5
75 mA 11
100 mA 8.25
250 mA 3.3
500 mA 1.65
750 mA 1
1 A 0.8
2 A 0.4
I know GM had a revised Alternator for the Corvette's, it has a different part number. Also I can find 10 seperate bulletins for 2000 corvette's if you do a search using the term "battery"
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Virginia
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This was a long time ago, but here's what I remember:
GM originally equipped C5s with lead acid batteries. Unfortunately, the factory had been torquing the clamps, excessively and caused the battery cases to crack and leak down onto vacuum hoses. Starting in 2001, GM switched over to AGM batteries which were less likely to leak if damaged. At some point, GM went back to regular lead acid batteries. The AC Delco batteries had been extensively redesigned with stronger cases and terminal supports. They carried a 50-month free-replacement warrant.
My OEM AGM battery lasted 6.5 years before needing replacement. However, I knew that replacement lead acid batteries with the beefed-up cases were no longer likely to crack and spill acid, so I went in that direction from 2007 to 2014 when I sold my C5. I never had a leakage issue.
Side note: The following recommendations were posted in this forum in August of 2006:
GM originally equipped C5s with lead acid batteries. Unfortunately, the factory had been torquing the clamps, excessively and caused the battery cases to crack and leak down onto vacuum hoses. Starting in 2001, GM switched over to AGM batteries which were less likely to leak if damaged. At some point, GM went back to regular lead acid batteries. The AC Delco batteries had been extensively redesigned with stronger cases and terminal supports. They carried a 50-month free-replacement warrant.
My OEM AGM battery lasted 6.5 years before needing replacement. However, I knew that replacement lead acid batteries with the beefed-up cases were no longer likely to crack and spill acid, so I went in that direction from 2007 to 2014 when I sold my C5. I never had a leakage issue.
Side note: The following recommendations were posted in this forum in August of 2006:
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Good point. I seemed to have forgotten that part of the leak issues. Fortunately, once the cases were strengthened, over-torque of the cable clamps became less deadly.
