battery acid on fenders!

[Soot4Life]

Anyone else have the batteries "burp" acid all over the underside of the hood and out onto the fenders? Mine did and I had to get the fenders repainted. Would a battery box fit in that tight space? Any thoughts on prevention?

 

[LSMITH]

Sealed gel cell batteries, like the Optima's. The battery would have to get broken to leak.

 

[Soot4Life]

Gel batteries are a great idea. Too bad I have 2 new traditional batteries already installed. Perhaps a LOOSE fitting plastic bag over the top to stop the spills but allow the vented gases to escape.

 

[homeka45]

Bill,



Sorry to hear about your problem with the batteries. How old were they and who was the manufacturer. Did you have any problems with your batteries or charging system prior to the incident? Thanks in advance for the information.



Dan

 

[Soot4Life]

Out with the old... ... in with the new! I bought 2 Optima Red-Top gel batteries @ Costco for $99 each and replaced the Excide 840cca originals. I just bought the truck and the previous owner ran both batteries almost dry and they spit up all over the engine compartment. The long tie down screws were corroded @ the battery tray and were useless. After cleanup with baking soda I used super-duty cable ties to hold the battery clamps down. Works slick. The Costco tip came from a TDR member from the archive... ... ... saved me $30 ea. over the auto parts store. Problem solved!

 

[homeka45]

Bill,

Thanks for passing on the Costco tip, I'm calling today.

Dan

 

[BCFAST]

Rather than having your fender repainted, I'm sorry you didnt know about a product called "Blue Magic". It comes in a toothpaste tube and will remove acid spots almost instantly. I witnessed a demonstration on an old 911 that was red... the acid spots were blue... anyway, this was in about 1993, and the car had been stained in about 1977... it took a terry towel and about 40 seconds of rubbing... never seen a 72 year-old man do cartwheels before! The stuff works!



Brian

 

[Soot4Life]

I sure wish the former owner was "awake" when the batteries blew. He could have done something. As it was the acid ate right through the paint and etched the galvanized sheet metal. I figured in the repair cost when I made my purchase offer so I guess it worked out alright. Now, after installing a FP gauge & fuel filter, it's time for a new lift pump. Better to find out now than later with a $2500 repair!

 

[RedRamer]

Going down to Muncie, my batteries did the same.

Bubbled the paint on the drive side outside fender and stripped the inside fenders both sides.

Bubbles are down but probably will have to paint one fender.

Where can you get that "Blue Magic"?



Reason they burped is I topped them to half the slit, when they s/b topped to the bottom of the ring only

 

[DieselB59]

Two summers ago, mine also did same as above. I washed the truck and the underside of the hood and went on vacation, leaving the truck in the garage the whole time. A week later I came back, and low and behold the paint was all bubbled on the fenders. I went to my buddy at the body shop, and he told me to first get the Optima batteries, then he repaired it within the week. Longest week in my life, looking at that damage.

 

[wcaldwell]

I've noticed mine did the same thing. I'm going to clean everything with backing soda and then get a quart or so of herculiner and paint it onto the inner fenders below the batteries.

 

[BCFAST]

Goober, Blue Magic can be found at most any auto parts store..... it's sold just like toothpaste: tube in a box.