Battery leak?

This battery is just over a year old and it's starting to look a little wet on top... Toyota dealer where I bought it tells me this is totally normal, because it's a vented battery. I'm no expert but it doesn't sound right to me. Is this normal?

 

Normal, especially in hot environments

 

You can see the little vent above the wet spot where the acid spilled out. It's normal for the battery design but not necessarily desirable, since the acid will corrode your inner fender if it spills past the white tray. If you want to eliminate the problem, replace the battery with an AGM type.

 

I’m more impressed that your engine bay is that clean for living in the rust belt

 

thanks for the replies

garage kept!

 

Give the battery a good wipe down and monitor.

BTW: You can gently pop the battery caps off and check the water level.
Normal is above the plates but below the ring, add distilled water if needed.

 

wait till you take um' offroad...

 

It's an OEM battery. By definition it's leaking. Many have had these POS's leak. Mine did the same and started to corrode at the positive battery post. Replaced with walmart battery and problem solved.

 

Walmart flooded batteries will also leak from the vents on each side of the battery. I've had one leak being transported in the footwell of my car.


Walmart AGM batteries are sealed and can be installed in any orientation without spilling.

 

My factory battery is even worse than that.

+1 for the 24F AGM at Walmart. https://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Platinum-AGM-Battery-Group-Size-24F-12-Volt-710-CCA/286630898

You can use brickseek to track one down, not all Walmart's stock them - https://brickseek.com/walmart-inventory-checker?sku=286630898

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/battery-and-battery-terminal.763604/

 

This is completely normal for a wet cell Automotive battery. As the battery charges, the electrolyte evaporates and vents. It then condenses on the outside of the battery. Over time it can cause a couple of problems, one is corrosion, the other is low electrolyte levels.

To deal with the corrosion, lightly spray some water over the battery, and sprinkle some baking soda over it. Anywhere the baking soda bubbles, there is acid, it is neutralizing the acid. After a couple minutes spray the battery down and wash down the apron and battery tray. Once everything is dry squirt a little WD-40 on the battery terminals to protect them from corrosion. I do this as needed. ( older batteries off gas more )

To deal with the electrolyte level, remove the cell caps, and fill to the bottom of the fill ports with distilled water. Replace caps and then drive the truck to charge the battery. Adding the water will reduce the individual cell specific gravity, reducing the charge state, depending on how low the cell level is.

Make sure you wear safety glasses and gloves when servicing the battery.

 

I would put some terminal pads on the post, and hit them with a little protective spray too. See your negative terminal already has a little corrosion on it.

Could do baking soda to clean it, but they make cleaner in a spray can already mixed up for you, grab a one when you get the other stuff from the auto parts store, or where ever.

 

Get a sealed AGM battery and will no longer have this issue.

 

Put on some latex gloves and wipe up with a paper towel. dampen one and wipe again. Dispose of in a plastic bag and then go about your day.

You don’t need an entire new battery to solve this.

 

Ended up going this route last week, took a few days for one to come in stock but finally got it from Walmart.