Leaking Optima Red Top
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I see so much misinformation on the Forum about batteries. Its a topic that I've taken a lot of interest in as I've had all of the common problems. I've had a leaky AC Delco, a dead Optima Red Top, an Optima Red Top that's survived for 5 years+ and I now use a Yellow Top on a tender.
I'd say nextime is spot on. Any battery has a case ( statement of the obvious). With misuse or heavy handling any case could split. The original Delphi manufactured AC Delco batteries had a design fault that allowed the posts to be damaged if over torqued. Thats whay many of us here went the AGM route.
The point about the AGM that most miss is that the Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) "soaks" up the battery electrolyte and prevents major leakage should damage occur. The more complex design costs $$ and its a judgement call whether you think its worth it.
An AGM battery can leak although its rare to see leaky Optimas. The Optima is a robust design but it's not tolerant to discharge. If you dont keep it topped off, either though low useage or a drain it can let you down. By contrast, anyone still using an OEM AC Delco of 97-01 vintage is sitting on a timebomb IMHO
The later designs are generally better so you can buy most replacement batteries, AGM or lead acid, and rest easy . Bottom, line to get back to the original point; I'd say any time you suffer a leak for any reason you should go back to the manufacturer and seek a replacement. Unless you dropped it, they shouldn't do that
I'd say nextime is spot on. Any battery has a case ( statement of the obvious). With misuse or heavy handling any case could split. The original Delphi manufactured AC Delco batteries had a design fault that allowed the posts to be damaged if over torqued. Thats whay many of us here went the AGM route.
The point about the AGM that most miss is that the Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) "soaks" up the battery electrolyte and prevents major leakage should damage occur. The more complex design costs $$ and its a judgement call whether you think its worth it.
An AGM battery can leak although its rare to see leaky Optimas. The Optima is a robust design but it's not tolerant to discharge. If you dont keep it topped off, either though low useage or a drain it can let you down. By contrast, anyone still using an OEM AC Delco of 97-01 vintage is sitting on a timebomb IMHO
The later designs are generally better so you can buy most replacement batteries, AGM or lead acid, and rest easy . Bottom, line to get back to the original point; I'd say any time you suffer a leak for any reason you should go back to the manufacturer and seek a replacement. Unless you dropped it, they shouldn't do that
Now all we have to do is wait a day or a week for the the NEXT thread to be started in which the question will be asked regarding Optima or Exide "gel cells" ALL OVER AGAIN.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Please Note: The 01 C5s were equipped from the factory with AGM batteries. The "time bomb" batteries were installed in 97-00 C5s and have all been replaced by now. Any OEM battery installed 01-04 was either AGM or made by Johnson controls using a much more robust battery case.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Any battery has a case ( statement of the obvious). With misuse or heavy handling any case could split.
Bottom, line to get back to the original point; I'd say any time you suffer a leak for any reason you should go back to the manufacturer and seek a replacement. Unless you dropped it, they shouldn't do that
Bottom, line to get back to the original point; I'd say any time you suffer a leak for any reason you should go back to the manufacturer and seek a replacement. Unless you dropped it, they shouldn't do that
I had a chance to look more closely at the seam area around the red top of the battery and the grey case, and I see evidence of acid on the middle front of the seam also. It definitely was not sealed 100% from the factory. It probably was leaking from day one and I never discoverd it until now ... I had no reason (so I thought) to ever have to really worry or check on leakage.
I will be calling Optima tomorrow ... will let you guys know if they give me a free replacement. They better not try to pro-rate this claim, as I'm sure it was defective from the factory and was probably leaking slightly from day one.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
In my case, the battery was never mis-handled or abused. It went into the car when new and was never touched for 4+ years.
I had a chance to look more closely at the seam area around the red top of the battery and the grey case, and I see evidence of acid on the middle front of the seam also. It definitely was not sealed 100% from the factory. It probably was leaking from day one and I never discoverd it until now ... I had no reason (so I thought) to ever have to really worry or check on leakage.
I will be calling Optima tomorrow ... will let you guys know if they give me a free replacement. They better not try to pro-rate this claim, as I'm sure it was defective from the factory and was probably leaking slightly from day one.
I had a chance to look more closely at the seam area around the red top of the battery and the grey case, and I see evidence of acid on the middle front of the seam also. It definitely was not sealed 100% from the factory. It probably was leaking from day one and I never discoverd it until now ... I had no reason (so I thought) to ever have to really worry or check on leakage.
I will be calling Optima tomorrow ... will let you guys know if they give me a free replacement. They better not try to pro-rate this claim, as I'm sure it was defective from the factory and was probably leaking slightly from day one.
Soory forgive the punI'm sure Optima will step up and replace it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Dee Gee, I think it's safe to say that about the C5s whose owner's frequent this forum. We DRIVE our cars! (and it IS 2009, which would make the newest non-AGM Delphi battery 8 and a half years old.)
The odds are good that Vegas money would win big on this one!
The odds are good that Vegas money would win big on this one!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
There's at least one
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
You are correct for most of the 2000s, but typically, the new first 01s wouldn't have been sold until late Summer, early Fall of 00. It that were the case, the last 00s were sold during the Summer of 00, which is not yet 9 years away.
dave
dave
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Guys - I've talked to Optima (Johnson Controls Inc) about this leaker and they are going to have it shipped back for engineering analysis.
I took a few photos showing that it's leaking between the case and top cover. The grey bottom case is all one piece, so the only seal is basically the top of the battery to the case.
As you can see, it's leaking from two of the 3 front cells. IMO, it's definitely a manufacturing defect. The factory will pressurize the case slightly to see if it leaks ... I already know the answer.
So ... anyone with an Optima, better double check this seam area periodically to see if there is any acid residue. In my case, I beleve it was defective the day it was made. If you have had you Optima for a while, and don't see any residue then I'd say you're not going to have a leaker.
Leaking from the two front cells on the side post side of the battery.
Close up of center front cell.
Close up of front cell next to negative side post.
Close up of plastic flashing that doesn't look normal. Could be causing bad sealing on top perimeter of case.
I took a few photos showing that it's leaking between the case and top cover. The grey bottom case is all one piece, so the only seal is basically the top of the battery to the case.
As you can see, it's leaking from two of the 3 front cells. IMO, it's definitely a manufacturing defect. The factory will pressurize the case slightly to see if it leaks ... I already know the answer.
So ... anyone with an Optima, better double check this seam area periodically to see if there is any acid residue. In my case, I beleve it was defective the day it was made. If you have had you Optima for a while, and don't see any residue then I'd say you're not going to have a leaker.
Leaking from the two front cells on the side post side of the battery.
Close up of center front cell.
Close up of front cell next to negative side post.
Close up of plastic flashing that doesn't look normal. Could be causing bad sealing on top perimeter of case.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
I think they want it back for engineering analysis more than anything. Why would they spend the money to ship a special container to the store and then ship it back to Johnson Controls for analysis? It would be cheaper to just give me a new battery and call it good IMO. If I want to get my car going again, I'd have to buy a new battery and then they would reimburse me if they found it to be a manufacturing defect ... which IMO it clearly is.
The seal job between the case is defective ... I'd bet on it. Did you notice that in the places it's leaking that there are "red globs" of plastic showing? ... probably a bad melt job done there.
Last edited by ZeeOSix; Mar 6, 2009 at 04:14 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
the top and lower case sections, caused by the irregular plastic surfaces.
I would have thought that your photos alone would be sufficient to show their manufacturing defect, and warrant a free replacement for
the battery.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Optima's NOT Optimal
Just got rid of my Optima RedTop today!
Didn't want to but it was dead!
Only had it 2 years. Have been using a CTEK battery tender with it on my car since I got the battery. But even with an Optima setting on the CTEK it still DOA'ed!
Sears sold me the battery. 3yr. Full Replacement + 3yr. pro-rated warranty. But Sears doesn't sell the Optima anymore-- "too many problems with them". So their 'replacement' is the Sears DieHard Platinum (4yr. Full Replacement) Gel battery.
Sears tried to charge me money for "the difference" --until I said "get back Jack!
3 yr. Full Replacement means NO money out of my pocket!". To which he said. "oh yeah, right!".
Bitch is heavy. Weighed it on the scales: 48.5 lbs!!!
Side Posts for the Positive are further outboard, making it difficult to get the connector screwed in because of the double cables not wanting to bend. Takes some work jacking the cables around to get it to fit.
Let's see how long this one lasts. Got an extra year of warranty out of it though!
Didn't want to but it was dead!
Only had it 2 years. Have been using a CTEK battery tender with it on my car since I got the battery. But even with an Optima setting on the CTEK it still DOA'ed!
Sears sold me the battery. 3yr. Full Replacement + 3yr. pro-rated warranty. But Sears doesn't sell the Optima anymore-- "too many problems with them". So their 'replacement' is the Sears DieHard Platinum (4yr. Full Replacement) Gel battery.
Sears tried to charge me money for "the difference" --until I said "get back Jack!
3 yr. Full Replacement means NO money out of my pocket!". To which he said. "oh yeah, right!".Bitch is heavy. Weighed it on the scales: 48.5 lbs!!!
Side Posts for the Positive are further outboard, making it difficult to get the connector screwed in because of the double cables not wanting to bend. Takes some work jacking the cables around to get it to fit.
Let's see how long this one lasts. Got an extra year of warranty out of it though!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Just got rid of my Optima RedTop today!
Didn't want to but it was dead!
Only had it 2 years. Have been using a CTEK battery tender with it on my car since I got the battery. But even with an Optima setting on the CTEK it still DOA'ed!
Sears sold me the battery. 3yr. Full Replacement + 3yr. pro-rated warranty. But Sears doesn't sell the Optima anymore-- "too many problems with them". So their 'replacement' is the Sears DieHard Platinum (4yr. Full Replacement) Gel battery.
Sears tried to charge me money for "the difference" --until I said "get back Jack! 3 yr. Full Replacement means NO money out of my pocket!". To which he said. "oh yeah, right!".
Bitch is heavy. Weighed it on the scales: 48.5 lbs!!!
Side Posts for the Positive are further outboard, making it difficult to get the connector screwed in because of the double cables not wanting to bend. Takes some work jacking the cables around to get it to fit.
Let's see how long this one lasts. Got an extra year of warranty out of it though!
Didn't want to but it was dead!
Only had it 2 years. Have been using a CTEK battery tender with it on my car since I got the battery. But even with an Optima setting on the CTEK it still DOA'ed!
Sears sold me the battery. 3yr. Full Replacement + 3yr. pro-rated warranty. But Sears doesn't sell the Optima anymore-- "too many problems with them". So their 'replacement' is the Sears DieHard Platinum (4yr. Full Replacement) Gel battery.
Sears tried to charge me money for "the difference" --until I said "get back Jack!
3 yr. Full Replacement means NO money out of my pocket!". To which he said. "oh yeah, right!".Bitch is heavy. Weighed it on the scales: 48.5 lbs!!!
Side Posts for the Positive are further outboard, making it difficult to get the connector screwed in because of the double cables not wanting to bend. Takes some work jacking the cables around to get it to fit.
Let's see how long this one lasts. Got an extra year of warranty out of it though!
clue: they're not
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Just got rid of my Optima RedTop today!
Didn't want to but it was dead!
Only had it 2 years. Have been using a CTEK battery tender with it on my car since I got the battery. But even with an Optima setting on the CTEK it still DOA'ed!
Sears sold me the battery. 3yr. Full Replacement + 3yr. pro-rated warranty. But Sears doesn't sell the Optima anymore-- "too many problems with them". So their 'replacement' is the Sears DieHard Platinum (4yr. Full Replacement) Gel battery.
Sears tried to charge me money for "the difference" --until I said "get back Jack! 3 yr. Full Replacement means NO money out of my pocket!". To which he said. "oh yeah, right!".
Bitch is heavy. Weighed it on the scales: 48.5 lbs!!!
Side Posts for the Positive are further outboard, making it difficult to get the connector screwed in because of the double cables not wanting to bend. Takes some work jacking the cables around to get it to fit.
Let's see how long this one lasts. Got an extra year of warranty out of it though!
Didn't want to but it was dead!
Only had it 2 years. Have been using a CTEK battery tender with it on my car since I got the battery. But even with an Optima setting on the CTEK it still DOA'ed!
Sears sold me the battery. 3yr. Full Replacement + 3yr. pro-rated warranty. But Sears doesn't sell the Optima anymore-- "too many problems with them". So their 'replacement' is the Sears DieHard Platinum (4yr. Full Replacement) Gel battery.
Sears tried to charge me money for "the difference" --until I said "get back Jack!
3 yr. Full Replacement means NO money out of my pocket!". To which he said. "oh yeah, right!".Bitch is heavy. Weighed it on the scales: 48.5 lbs!!!
Side Posts for the Positive are further outboard, making it difficult to get the connector screwed in because of the double cables not wanting to bend. Takes some work jacking the cables around to get it to fit.
Let's see how long this one lasts. Got an extra year of warranty out of it though!
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
No thanks, not for a Corvette. 
It's way too heavy.
The Die Hard Platinum battery is more suitable for the cold cranking power demands of a diesel engine truck on a 0 degree morning.
It's way too heavy.The Die Hard Platinum battery is more suitable for the cold cranking power demands of a diesel engine truck on a 0 degree morning.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
