AC Delco Leaking...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
AC Delco Leaking...
I posted recently in another thread about my car not starting. Turns out the problem wasn't a dead battery, but a butt-load of corrosion due to the positive cable. After removing the battery, there's a nice "field" of corrosion powder straight under the middle of the battery, all over what looks like a 2" diameter tube.
What's the best way for cleaning all this crap out of there, what do i need to look for as far as damage, and how do i prevent it from happening again? I'm assuming start with trashing the Delco even though it's still holding a good charge?
I tried searching, but didn't find exactly what i was looking for.
Thanks in advance.
What's the best way for cleaning all this crap out of there, what do i need to look for as far as damage, and how do i prevent it from happening again? I'm assuming start with trashing the Delco even though it's still holding a good charge?
I tried searching, but didn't find exactly what i was looking for.
Thanks in advance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
I used to use baking soda to neutralize the acid, but now you can get a foaming acid neutralizer in a spray can. Permatex is the brand that I used. 
I think it even changes colors when it reacts with acid so you can tell if you got it all. Then flush the area with water.
The only sure way to keep it from happening again is switch to a top post battery. My 2004 model came with a top post battery, and you should be able to replace your cables with those used in 2004. If the cables are corroded, you will need to replace them anyway. The acid tends to run all the way down the cable, even inside the insulation. I would also check the starter connections to make sure the acid did not work its way down there.
I think it even changes colors when it reacts with acid so you can tell if you got it all. Then flush the area with water.The only sure way to keep it from happening again is switch to a top post battery. My 2004 model came with a top post battery, and you should be able to replace your cables with those used in 2004. If the cables are corroded, you will need to replace them anyway. The acid tends to run all the way down the cable, even inside the insulation. I would also check the starter connections to make sure the acid did not work its way down there.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Jul 2, 2007 at 07:56 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 17,640
Likes: 1
From: Lenoir City TN
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Trash it for sure, notorious for this, as for neutralizing the acid use baking soda, remove battery, remove battery tray, rinse with water, sprinkle the baking soda to look for foaming (indicates acid) then rinse, rinse and rinse again. Dry it all and look for corrosion and if so sand and hit with some paint. Put everything back together.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Lumberton TX
Water and baking soda will neutralize the acid pretty darn good. Switch to Optima red top dry cell battery. about $165. bucks. Hope you haven't damaged the wires, connections or computer directly under battery. Frank
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The optima is NOT a dry or Gel cell. Its a spiral wound lead acid battery. Its uses a recombent gas recovery system to recoupe the gasses and its sealed to prevent acid spillage.
Theres a splice pack behind the battery. You will need to find it, take it apart and MAKE SURE that it doesnt have acid in it! If you dont, this is what will happen:
Heres the same one all cleaned up:
BC
Theres a splice pack behind the battery. You will need to find it, take it apart and MAKE SURE that it doesnt have acid in it! If you dont, this is what will happen:
Heres the same one all cleaned up:
BC
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
I appreciate everyone's responses...looks like i have a little project for the 4th of July.
On a side note, is the Optima Red Top really worth the money over say a Duralast or other standard battery from an Auto parts store?
On a side note, is the Optima Red Top really worth the money over say a Duralast or other standard battery from an Auto parts store?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,819
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I just had my Delco AGM battery replaced with a new Delco non AGM battery. It looks like Delco has changed their battery case and may have strengthened the way the posts are fastened into the battery. The case looks like the case of the Exide battery I just installed in my Tahoe.
Bill
Bill
