Battery Questions
 

Recently, my car has been requiring a jump-start to get it going for a drive. When I take it out for a cruise, it performs fine. All the electrical stuff and headlights work as normal. But if I shut it off....it's dead. It won't restart again. My amp gauge doesn't work, but I assume the alternator is fine since the headlights work ok.

So the other night I put the battery charger on it, and after about 30 minutes I come out to check on it, and it sounds like bacon is sizzling on a griddle. I think "this can't be good", so I immediately turn off the charger, and start thinking that maybe it's a dead cell in the battery (which is only a year old, but it is an Advance Auto parts "special"). I get in the trunk and start to take out the battery, which sits inside of a marine-style plastic case, and notice that there is a bunch of water sitting at the bottom of the case!

Now granted, I don't have the cover on top of the case, so the top of the battery is exposed, but I can't figure out how water could get down in there. I checked everything inside the fenderwell to see if there was any way that water could get down in there when I washed the car, or could be splashed up in there when I've (rarely) driven it in the rain or through a puddle. And from what I can see, there is no way that water could be getting in there.

So can you guys provide any insight? Do batteries "sweat"? Are standard wet-cell batteries prone to leaking? Does the battery sound like it is the root of my problem, or could it be something else?

Thanks to all,

Russ

I bet it's not water that you see, but acid from one of the cells on the battery. Sounds like it's time to upgrade to an Optima battery.

Put a little of that "water" on your new blue jeans and see what happens.
Dave

When a cell is boiling or out of water it make a sizziling sound.
Over charging is the most often the cause. Once done not much hope of saving the battery.
Check your alternator or regulater for high voltage for too long.

1st, I'd put a meter on your alternator while it's running and make sure it's around 14 volts. 2nd, you NEVER want a wet cell battery in your trunk unless you want everything metal to become rusted. Like Rob says, get an Optima.
Tim

If Need be I think baking soda will neutlalize the ascid, if you havent done so allready.

Thanks for all the replies, guys.

Has anybody tried one of these smaller Odyssey Racing Batteries?
http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...08&prmenbr=361

I'm considering one of these versus the Optima, and just want to hear some opinions.

Thanks,

Russ

They sound like they would be fine. They are a dry-cell design and can be mounted in any position......cheaper too

Cheaper too????????????????????

Not on any prices I have checked...the Optima comes in cheaper.