Leaking Optima Red Top
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
Mine leaked badly
I had my red top two year old Optima battery leak acid badly over last winter while the car was stored in a climate controlled garage when it was on a battery maintainer. This car is a show quality 1965 Corvette! Acid burns in the battery tray and down underneath on the frame and the lower metal under carriage shield as well as burning the cement floor. I called Optima and they kind of "blew me off" saying it was probably caused by overcharging.Telling me the battery maintainer float charge should be no more than 1 amp and the voltage should be between 13. 2 and 13.5 volts. If the voltage is any higher for any length of time the electrolyte will most probably leak out of one of the posts or the vent. Followed by this is not covered by any warranty and any Optimum battery that has leaked at all should be discarded!
For some reason (a premonition?) I took a flashlight and looked around the battery area on my Z06 today. I noticed a couple of small areas of "acid burns" on the frame, which instantly pop a red flag. Further investigation revealed that the Optima Red Top was leaking acid somewhere near the negative terminal post, and was running down on the negative cable end and then dripping down of the battery tray edge straight below. Most of the acid had dripped into the edge of the battery tray and then collected under the battery, but there were some drops that must have splashed off the edge of the tray an onto the nearby frame area. Also some of the acid that collected under the battery had dripped on the frame under the tray Not a lot of damage ... just paint burns. No wiring or computer damage seen.
But what completely pisses me off is that I bought the Optima so I wouldn't have to worry about a leaking battery ... now the least likely battery to leak has leaked on my car. Optima is going to get a nasty phone call about this, even though the battery slightly over 4 years old, it shouldn't have leaked ... period. It looks like it might have slowly been leaking for some time. My guess is the top wasn't sealed 100% to the side case ... shoddy quality. Probably a rare instance and bad luck draw on my part.
Has anyone else had an Optima battery leak? I'm going to have to dig up Optima's warranty policy on this, but if I recall I think they warrantee them for at least 5 years.
But what completely pisses me off is that I bought the Optima so I wouldn't have to worry about a leaking battery ... now the least likely battery to leak has leaked on my car. Optima is going to get a nasty phone call about this, even though the battery slightly over 4 years old, it shouldn't have leaked ... period. It looks like it might have slowly been leaking for some time. My guess is the top wasn't sealed 100% to the side case ... shoddy quality. Probably a rare instance and bad luck draw on my part.
Has anyone else had an Optima battery leak? I'm going to have to dig up Optima's warranty policy on this, but if I recall I think they warrantee them for at least 5 years.
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Optima battery leaking
For some reason (a premonition?) I took a flashlight and looked around the battery area on my Z06 today. I noticed a couple of small areas of "acid burns" on the frame, which instantly pop a red flag. Further investigation revealed that the Optima Red Top was leaking acid somewhere near the negative terminal post, and was running down on the negative cable end and then dripping down of the battery tray edge straight below. Most of the acid had dripped into the edge of the battery tray and then collected under the battery, but there were some drops that must have splashed off the edge of the tray an onto the nearby frame area. Also some of the acid that collected under the battery had dripped on the frame under the tray Not a lot of damage ... just paint burns. No wiring or computer damage seen.
But what completely pisses me off is that I bought the Optima so I wouldn't have to worry about a leaking battery ... now the least likely battery to leak has leaked on my car. Optima is going to get a nasty phone call about this, even though the battery slightly over 4 years old, it shouldn't have leaked ... period. It looks like it might have slowly been leaking for some time. My guess is the top wasn't sealed 100% to the side case ... shoddy quality. Probably a rare instance and bad luck draw on my part.
Has anyone else had an Optima battery leak? I'm going to have to dig up Optima's warranty policy on this, but if I recall I think they warrantee them for at least 5 years.
But what completely pisses me off is that I bought the Optima so I wouldn't have to worry about a leaking battery ... now the least likely battery to leak has leaked on my car. Optima is going to get a nasty phone call about this, even though the battery slightly over 4 years old, it shouldn't have leaked ... period. It looks like it might have slowly been leaking for some time. My guess is the top wasn't sealed 100% to the side case ... shoddy quality. Probably a rare instance and bad luck draw on my part.
Has anyone else had an Optima battery leak? I'm going to have to dig up Optima's warranty policy on this, but if I recall I think they warrantee them for at least 5 years.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,341
Likes: 1,121
From: Dyer, IN
Hopefully you inspected the PCM/wiring and the vacuum line under the battery tray. By cleaning agent, you mean something to neutralized the acid?
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I used baking soda to neutralize the acid and then clean water. I'm left with the black drips. I tried acetone, paint thinner, and other relatively paint-friendly solvents with limited success, I'm trying to avoid repainting the areas if possible...
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
Mine too
I had a 2 year old optima red top battery leak acid all over my battery tray, negative battery terminal, battery disconnect and the panel below it as well as burning and eroding the cement in my garage over the winter in a climate controlled garage with a 1 amp battery maintainer (not a charger) on it in a 1965 Corvette show car. I was equally upset. They are not supposed to leak EVER! I called Optima and all they said if it leaked dispose of it and don't use it as the battery has failed. Well no ****! They didn't offer any help at all or offer to replace it. I was told sometimes that happens.
I had my red top two year old Optima battery leak acid badly over last winter while the car was stored in a climate controlled garage when it was on a battery maintainer. This car is a show quality 1965 Corvette! Acid burns in the battery tray and down underneath on the frame and the lower metal under carriage shield as well as burning the cement floor. I called Optima and they kind of "blew me off" saying it was probably caused by overcharging.Telling me the battery maintainer float charge should be no more than 1 amp and the voltage should be between 13. 2 and 13.5 volts. If the voltage is any higher for any length of time the electrolyte will most probably leak out of one of the posts or the vent. Followed by this is not covered by any warranty and any Optimum battery that has leaked at all should be discarded!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,341
Likes: 1,121
From: Dyer, IN
Post a pic of the areas.....I can't visualize what you mean by "black drips"
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,341
Likes: 1,121
From: Dyer, IN
Ok. I honestly do not know what I'm looking at here...at least in the engine compartment. Obviously the acid has attacked the paint, but I have no idea what type of paint, how many coats there are, if there was a clear coat, etc. Most likely will have to use some sort of abrasive like rubbing compound and see what happens.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,859
Likes: 4,656
ACETONE????! Acetone is NOT a paint friendly chemical!!! It is used in paint stripping!!
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 173
Likes: 20
From: Albany NY
Admit my red top is now almost 6 years old. I was doing some routine maintenance with door open, interior lights on and auto power seat moved a few times within about a 10 minute period. Went to start it and just clicked..Checked voltage on battery and was at 12.8 ? Should start ? No other problems and I guess it's time for a new battery as maybe it just can't generate enough amps.I may be looking at a non AGM premium brand as the failure rate is very low nowadays.They also are easier to keep on a tender with no worries ?
.....