Battery leaking..?

[joebloggsVR69 0]

I went to start the car up yesterday, and while it was running I popped open the engine bay.

I then noticed that battery acid was leaking from all 6 filler caps on my Hellfrauds Calcium battery.. As I let the car run, more and more trickled out the tops.

 

So I switched the car off, and tightened up the caps REALLY tight with a coin. Seemed to be ok, 'til today, after a drive when I saw it's still doing it.

 

What's causing it?! I think I should take it back to be replaced, although this one is already a free replacement for my previous Hellfrauds battery..........

I'm kinda worried, as it seems the acid has trickled down the sides, onto some wires

[Crasher 3]

Your alternator is overcharging, it will need replacing. You must neutralise that acid, I have seen many Corrado's with battery trays rotted right through.

[ben16v 0]

yup mine`s rotted through luckily my mech found a replacement tray and welded it in

[joebloggsVR69 0]

Oh feck... well thanks for letting me know what the problem is.

So do I need a new alternator, or can I just take it to get rebuilt at a specialist?

 

Also, how do I neutralise the acid? Wash it off with lots of clean water?

 

Thanks guys

[craigowl 0]

Bicarbonate of soda (available in any supermarket in cookery/baking section) will neutralise remaining acid after flushing with water, then flush bicarb away, too.

 

Bicarb in solution is also good for getting rid of foul odours on carpets, etc if, say, you spill milk or they have a bad smell.

[mattkh 0]

Oh feck... well thanks for letting me know what the problem is.

So do I need a new alternator, or can I just take it to get rebuilt at a specialist?Thanks guys

 

You may just need to change the voltage regulator which on a bosch alternator is just 2 screw jobby.

[dr_mat 0]

Or your battery might be fecked.

Check the voltage across the battery when the engine is running. It should be a nice stable number, somewhere between 13.6 and 14.2 volts.

[Guest]

Feel for you as I had a similar problem a year or so ago.

Alternator etc was all fine. On taking the battery out I saw that all it was was that some cells had been over filled but I had a deep loathing for the battery by then and had already bought a replacement.

 

Good luck in sorting it all out

[joebloggsVR69 0]

Finally got my hands on a multimeter and tested the car:

 

At idle, battery reads ~14.24 volts.

When revved, it drops slightly, to ~14.10 volts.

 

So I guess the alternator is not overcharging, after all...? :scratch: ..which makes the leak even more confusing.

I've got a Bosch silver that I'm gonna try out. Maybe the Hellfrauds battery is bad