Battery leak?

I bought a Tru-start battery from the dealer in November of 21. Looks like a leak forming. Is up for a replacement?

 

Unfortunately that's very common for flooded lead acid batteries and most battery manufacturers won't warranty them for that.

Mix some baking soda in a cup of water and pour it over to neutralize the acid then rinse it off with water.

 

Yeah I've cleaned plenty of batteries. Thought the dealer might warranty.

 

You can try but don't be suprused if they deny it.

 

The way yours looks, I wouldn’t be concerned. Take the bracket and terminals off, use a battery brush on the terminals and posts, wipe the battery top off with a rag slightly damp with soapy water, try not to get soapy water under the caps. Try to clean the bracket. The right (rear) side has some white acid forming. Maybe stick a felt pad between the battery and bracket there. The felt pads are like 99c on Amazon, about 3 bucks at Wally World.


Keeping battery corrosion at bay is a thorn in my foot. I’ve tried many many different products.

For when the acid is stuck to the terminals, nothing I’ve found works better than plain coke, the drink. Pour it in a container, dunk, leave it. Sometimes you have to do it a second time if the fastener is stuck to the terminal. Tap it loose, dunk again.

The Noco products are all very good. Spray on cleaner, spray and brush on protector, felt pads.

CRC products and baking soda are ok but not as good as Noco.

I maintain a 50 vehicle fleet by myself. After putting felt pads on all the batteries, keeping them clean is so much easier.

$6 NOCO NCP2 MC303 Oil-Based Battery Terminal Protectors, Anti-Corrosion Washers, and Battery Corrosion Pads (Pack of 2)

https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-MC303S-...id=1690075628&sprefix=Noco+fel,aps,151&sr=8-4

 

Thanks, all good advice. Long story short. Went to the dealership. Parts was going to exchange and service wanted to load test. Tested good so sent me home. Said to add distilled to the battery. Not sure if I want to do it. Never opened a sealed battery and wonder if I would cause damage? I’ll pull it out and clean it. Check the tray, clean the terminals, and put on felt washers.

 

Once mine started to “leak”, it never stopped.
I finally just let it leak. Bad idea I guess.
It eventually at e through a spot on the battery hold down.

I’d replace the battery if it’s over 4 years old.

Or don’t, and clean it monthly.

 

This ^

 

Clean it up to see where the leak is. It is likely from the posts. Them red/green felt pads can help with that. If leaking from the caps, you may need new ones.

 

Wow didn’t know this was a leak. I mean yours does look a little worse than mine but not horrible.

like people said there is ways to clean it.
And you can put those neutralizing foam rings under the terminals they sell in a pack.

I’d clean it off periodically and keep an eye on it. Idk if it’s serviceable to add water.
Maybe overnight charge it on a CTEK to try verifying it’s in good health

dealer sold me I think the same one in CO of a bigger size they stock for more cranking camps during cold start.

no idea what I’d get after, if charging mods necessary, or dual battery, etc
Deep cycle AGM seems common but I don’t think just one of those is ideal to handle primarily working as a starter battery.

perhaps there is AGM starting batteries. I know German cars do it that way.

 

Battery is 20 months old. 84 month warranty. Replace up to 24 months and pro rated after.

 

The dealership out of courtesy could have taken the extra minute to wipe it off at least. If they didn’t, you should. When the 2 terminals are connected by moisture like that, you could get voltage passing through the moisture.

Batteries can seep a little through the post or leak through the caps. Some caps are designed better than others. This is why I’d recommend the felt pads.

When I replaced my battery a few years ago, I did the swap at the place I bought it to save time not having to go back to return the core. I just moved the old felt pads from the old battery to the new one. A few months later what little acid that was stuck to the positive terminal grew into a semi neutralized booger. So I gave it a good cleaning, put new felt pads on. Then a few weeks later, wiped off the excess oil that tends to seep off new felt pads.

Adding water to a 12v battery is most likely not necessary. It might need it once in its life. If you pop the caps off and the plates inside are fully submerged I wouldn’t add water even if you could fit some. It’s easy to overfill, then the leaking problem will be worse.

Some of the machines I work on are electric with a huge industrial battery. Every other week they’ll take somewhere between 1/4 - 5 gallons of water. The most I’ve ever had to add was 17 gallons. That one was so dead the charger didn’t recognize being connected, it ended up needing to be replaced at over $15k.

 

Not related to the leak, but you have one of thosee odd weight saving size batteries, at least based on you using the stock bracket (notice the right side is not a screw; its just welded, unlike the other side). If you ever buy that same BCI group battery from AutoZone or Oreillys, you'll discover that your bracket is about 5/8" too short to hold it in place.

So you can either keep buying the batteries from a Toyota dealer who would carry the odd size, or change out your bracket to a universal one that can accommodate a full height battery.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/replacing-battery-simple-until-its-not.483515/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/27f-battery-help.275355/page-2

 

I pulled the battery out this morning. Cleaned with baking soda/water. Cleaned the posts and cable ends. Battery was leaking from the caps/vents. Brushed and repainted the battery hold down. Reinstalled with Noco felt washers and oil spray. Have to keep an eye out for more cleanup.

 

Those vent caps are removable and, if needed, you can fill up any low cells with distilled water. You only need to fill up to where the water begins to touch the plastic. (you'll see it when you shine a flashlight in each cell)