Why is Battery Bracket corroding Now??

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Bob - 01 Mar 2005 23:27 GMT

Greetings all,

Last month I changed out the original battery on my 95 S320. The
battery compartment in the trunk was clean and no signs of corrosion
anywhere. Today I looked into the battery compartment area and was
surprsised to see the battery hold down bracket covered with white
powdery corrosion.

Why now? What could have possibly changed? Both are lead acid and
the original has been in there since 1995 without any sign of
corrosion.

In addition to the curious "why", how could I prevent this?

Thanks to the group for your collective wisdom!!

Bob

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marlinspike - 02 Mar 2005 01:13 GMT

Well I do believe your new battery has a leak. You're going to have to clean
out the bracket (which is why I prefered when they were in the engine
compartment). Gets some thick gloves, some goggles, and don't enhale the
stuff. vaccum all the loose powder, then take out the tray and put a lot of
baking powder (or is it soda? It's the one you put in the fridge to absorb
the smells). Then hose it off. To prevent this in the future put a special
battery mat on the tray. These will neutralize a leaky battery. I know
www.performanceproducts.com sells them.
Richard

> Greetings all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Bob

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William P.N. Smith - 02 Mar 2005 14:25 GMT

>"Bob" <Bob@adelpia.com> wrote in message
>> Last month I changed out the original battery on my 95 S320. The
>> battery compartment in the trunk was clean and no signs of corrosion
>> anywhere. Today I looked into the battery compartment area and was
>> surprsised to see the battery hold down bracket covered with white
>> powdery corrosion.

Did the original battery have a sealed top with an overflow tube
leading 'overboard'? I _think_ mine (2001 E320 wagon, battery under
the middle seat) has that setup, though I could be misremembering
something else...

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Karl - 02 Mar 2005 02:21 GMT

Did you replace it with a MB battery from the dealer or from Pep Boys?

> Greetings all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Bob

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Martin Joseph - 02 Mar 2005 08:05 GMT

> In addition to the curious "why", how could I prevent this?

You can buy a premium priced sealed unit that will not off gas corrosives.

Marty

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marlin - 02 Mar 2005 16:38 GMT

Oh I forgot all about that. Those in trunk batteries need to have a tube
that vents the gasses to the outside.
Richard

>> In addition to the curious "why", how could I prevent this?
> You can buy a premium priced sealed unit that will not off gas corrosives.
>
> Marty

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