First of all, I apologize for the lack of photographs. I fixed the problem before I thought to take any pictures.

I have a C6 base coupe (battery in the engine compartment) and have noticed that I have been collecting more corrosion more quickly around my positive terminal than either of my other two cars or in fact on any car I have ever owned. I don't know why but I have to clean the terminal with a stiff wire brush every couple of weeks or so, or the build up literally fills the red rubber cap on the positive lead.

Anyway, this morning I remembered an old trick from my short stint as an auto mechanic MANY YEARS ago and rubbed a glob of petroleum jelly around the positive battery post. I'll check it in a week or so and see how she's doing.

In the meantime, I was wondering if anyone has a notion as to why my 'Vette is having this battery corrosion issue?

 

Don't know why, but it happened to my (+) post as well. I fixed it by cleaning both posts, then put dielectic grease all over the posts and connectors. No more corrosion

 

Something to consider:---> http://www.ls2.com/forums/showthread...attery-Failure


Elmer

 

The corrosion is caused by gasses leaking from inside the battery - the seal between the post and the plastic battery body has begun to deteriorate. Felt washers soaked in oil will help prevent those gasses from escaping. Your petroleum jelly, or dielectric grease, will also help. I had this same issue - battery was almost 6 years old - and I just got a new battery a couple of weeks ago.

 

Exactly, especially if the battery is the lead acid type. Even "Gel" type can have the same effect if there is separation between battery post and plastic housing but without the out gassing as with lead acid type, since its gas is internally recycled.

I did something similar to eboggs_jkvl with my "Gel" type battery and all jointed connections are set screwed to solid reducers without loose wires, finished with double marine grade shrink tube, then finalized with self vulcanize silicone wrap for weather tight integrity:



But if my "Gel" battery post lost its integrity, what I did is moot point and terminal will still be affected. That was the reason I picked the Odyssey with its strong Mil. Spec'ed case to resist the separation issue, especially after I had experienced that with my Yellow Top!

 

My attitude is that if something corrosive is escaping from my battery, then it's time for a new battery. And the few times it's happened to me, the battery was old enough to just about retire anyway.

 

Actually, the battery in this car has been doing this since the day I brought the car home brand new (about 18 months ago). In any case, instead of going through all the drama with the dealer, I think I will just buy and install a new high quality battery. Any suggestions?

 

If I see battery post corrosion, I will pour club soda over the terminal and top of the battery to eliminate that white fuzzy corrosion. Then I seal the connection with grease. I thought this was standard operating procedure.

Didn't they make an aerosol spray paint-like product years ago for sealing the terminals?

 

Yes,and you can get it at parts stores..

 

I keep my battery connections covered with a coating of dielectric grease in all my vehicles. Never a corrosion problem.

 

Everyone has an opinion.
In reality, all the brands make mostly good batteries and an occasional bad one. We don't have enough data to spot a trend.

We've had good service from our Delcos, so I used one as a replacement in our 2009. Just be aware that if your new battery takes a dump over a weekend while under warranty, there may not be any Delco dealers open to give you a replacement, you wait until Monday. That may or may not be an issue for you.

Different years of C6 take different batteries, and sometimes the local auto parts store won't have one either, so it's a mixed bag.

Victorf likes the Odyssey, and the idea of eliminating the possibility of acid leakage is nice, but I haven't seen enough problems on the C6 to worry about it.

 

Pour baking soda on the corroded terminal then put water on it to clean off the crud.

Then seal the terminal and connector. Grease works but it's messy.

You can buy a can of battery spray for about $5 that will last a lifetime. It puts a reddish coating on the terminals to seal them and it doesn't attract dirt like grease does.

 

Haven't had or heard of this problem.
I have original 2005 battery and posts are still clean as the day I got it from factory in Dec. 2004.

 

No offense but most members here on the forum are basically novice, bulk of their car maintenance are typically done by shops and without the advantage of ever being at the disadvantage. Such as bad experiences spreading over years of modifying cars/motorcycles, with lead acid type battery and evolving with the advance of battery design types.

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Lets put it this way, if lead acid battery with its acidic vapor is of no concern: why cars came from Manufacturer with rear (or trunk mount) lead acid type battery has hole for vent tube?

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Using grease, impregnated felt washers, silicone lube or spray type battery terminal coating will only mask the underlying problem of leakage - if any! IMO, another ploy form from marketeers to relieve you of your hard earned money, better to keep terminals free of whatever to enhance 100% visual verification.

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Again, if one is still using whatever brand "Lead Acid" type battery, you are not an exception from the norm - damage is being done - quietly - unseen!! But, what the heck, you don't ever work on your car and don't ever keep car long enough to realized the consequences anyway.

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Convenience of weekend battery replacement availability in case of mishap never the factor for me to base on in my battery selection. Certainly, "Gel" type wins the race, since it contains no liquid and internally vented during operation - you get the freedom to even mount it upside down! One of my "Gel" type Yellow Top developed a serious crack on the positive terminal several years ago, nothing to alarm, battery was still providing the charge, since no liquid came out of it. Where I live, basically everything is mail order, I ordered one while the van was being driven daily and replaced the acid damaged positive terminal end after new battery was replaced -by me - happy days again!

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I don't know if my postings make any sense to anyone but its your car!

 

Coke works good also for cleaning.I put brass terminals on my cars,they don't seem to corrode as the others do?

 

The Odssey battery in your pic is not a "gel" battery but a lead acid AGM where the acid is suspended in between the plates. The advantage is the acid will not leak out if the case is cracked. Otherwise it works just like the flooded type.

Positive post creep is a common problem with all lead acid batteries. The lead plates grow as the battery is used so it can not be solid mounted to the case. The key to a great battery design is the post seals. Maybe someday, somebody will figure it out.

In the meantime just wash the battery with plain ol water which works as well as anything.

Alltak

 

I understand that there are only a few companies that make all of these different brand of batteries. Any particuliar brand a favorite?
I need to get a new battery (top terminal) for my other car (not a Corvette). It lasted from March 2006 to now but still starts up and sometimes it doesn't so I jump start it.
I saw brands like Durlast-Autozone $125.
Kirkland from Costco $72 which has a big price difference.
Interstate-expensive still checking.

 

I stand corrected, thank you sir!

Rushing in my train of thoughts and hastily over simplified.

Sorry!

 

 

Yes; electrical contact spray from Radio Shack. I just put some on the terminals of my wife's GS new battery.