Advice on Optima battery spill
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Joined: May 2012
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Advice on Optima battery spill
I regularly trickle charge my Corvettes. On my c5, I use an optima battery due to rumors I’ve heard of regular batteries leaking and frying the brilliantly placed computer below. I suppose I got a lemon because I managed to overload the battery with just regular charge and the battery blew the ports and looked like a steaming tea kettle. I removed the battery as soon as it was cool enough and I applied baking soda, which sizzled upon contact with the battery material. I dumped a whole box, messy yes, all over the entire battery area. I’m just wondering if I should vacuum this stuff out or use water to rinse the remaining residue off. Have a new tray on order and a new battery waiting but I just wandered what lengths I should go to and might have overlooked.
All help is appreciated. Thanks.
All help is appreciated. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 31
From: Silver Spring MD
Use warm water and skip the new tray
I had my vacuum line for the HVAC melted by the battery acid when I bought the C5 used. Mix up a gallon or so of warm water and a good amount of baking soda and pour it all over the battery tray and nearby where the acid may have leaked. Might want to use a rag or brush if you can't get into tight places. Rinse with a garden hose for about a minute or so and then let the whole area dry out.
If you have paint damage can use a wire brush and then Rustoleum to cover areas where the acid has gone thru the paint. If you have to remove the tray go ahead but watch it as you can strip the retaining nuts for the bolts holding it in. Even with my severe acid damage the tray was not damaged at all. Must be made of something that does not get damaged by the acid.
If you have paint damage can use a wire brush and then Rustoleum to cover areas where the acid has gone thru the paint. If you have to remove the tray go ahead but watch it as you can strip the retaining nuts for the bolts holding it in. Even with my severe acid damage the tray was not damaged at all. Must be made of something that does not get damaged by the acid.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,347
Likes: 857
From: MI
Cruise-In VI Veteran
I regularly trickle charge my Corvettes. On my c5, I use an optima battery due to rumors I’ve heard of regular batteries leaking and frying the brilliantly placed computer below. I suppose I got a lemon because I managed to overload the battery with just regular charge and the battery blew the ports and looked like a steaming tea kettle. I removed the battery as soon as it was cool enough and I applied baking soda, which sizzled upon contact with the battery material. I dumped a whole box, messy yes, all over the entire battery area. I’m just wondering if I should vacuum this stuff out or use water to rinse the remaining residue off. Have a new tray on order and a new battery waiting but I just wandered what lengths I should go to and might have overlooked.
All help is appreciated. Thanks.
All help is appreciated. Thanks.
Remove the right front wheel/tire and remove the wheel house access panel. remove the battery tray, perform visual inspection for acid damage on the frame rail ( Insp all four sides of the frame rail, left, right, top, bottom) for paint /acid damage. Look closely at the area of the PCM to include PCM electrical plug and wires. Clean areas as necessary, restore frame rail surface protection (paint) as needed.
Cheers,
Goose
Battery Acid Inspection zone
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,334
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From: Western NY
