Stopping acid build up on positive battery node - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Aussie Ed · 09-14-2005, 08:19 AM

I have a minor problem. i've recently notice some acid build up on the positive node of my battery.

i washed it off last night with some boiled water and a tooth brush, but its back again today.

i don't know what's causing it. i have a feeling that it could be how my amp's fuse is wired to the positive node, but i could be wrong.

any ideas??

the battery is as old as my car so its 4 years old. i've had no problems with it before.

mazdaverx7 · 09-14-2005, 10:18 AM

solder a penny onto the top of the terminal or some small copper piece of metal. all of the corrosion will collect onto the copper and not of your lead terminal.

mandyfig · 09-14-2005, 01:32 PM

Use soda to clean it. Then spray with WD40.

drunken_panda · 09-14-2005, 01:48 PM

Use battery pads. They go between the terminal and the cable.

greylock · 09-14-2005, 02:05 PM

All of the above or clean it with baking soda and then coat the terminal with wheel bearing grease. A bit messy but the grease sticks very well and is alkaline based to counter act acid buildup. Same thing with those battery pads. They are treated with some kind of alkaline chemical to counter act acid buildup.

jhbhatia · 09-14-2005, 03:27 PM

^^ everything people said, there is a wire-gauge thingie you can buy at the autoparts store that cleans your terminals, i bought it when it was a dollar! It basically removes corrosion from the terminals after which you can follow the advises on top!

thoughthard · 09-14-2005, 08:33 PM

Goto a parts store, and ask for the good felt battery terminal washers that are treated to stop acid on the battery post. The ones behind the counter, in a small "paint can" type can. If they do not have them, or have no idea what you are talking about, look elsewhere.

When I used those, I NEVER had an issue with acid buildup.

Hajoca · 09-14-2005, 09:19 PM

Are you refering to Corrosion build up? like white puffy grit?

Sounds like an acid leak in the battery, so you will need to check the electrolyte ( water/acid) level to make sure it is still good. I would look for cracks or see if the seal has separated at the post and case.
Is the battery old enough to replace under warranty?

mazdaverx7 · 09-14-2005, 09:49 PM

and if you're adding the water/acid(electrolyte), make sure you are using ONLY distilled water.

Aussie Ed · 09-16-2005, 05:35 AM

thanks for the tips guys. will give those a try.

my car is out of warrantee. i bought it new with the standard 3yr/100,000km warantee. so the battery is also out of warantee.

ag6286 · 09-16-2005, 07:04 PM

battery acid pads are simple....all they are, are felt pieces with a jelly very very similar to vaseline so u have to 3 options....

1. buy a battery pad
2. buy a piece of felt and cut it appropriately and add vaseline
3. just smear some vaseline on the terminal....not that much is needed

problem solved

glennsmga · 09-17-2005, 08:16 AM

Hi folks. To get rid of fluffy white battery corrosion on your battery terminals, try this: First, make sure the battery posts and terminals are cleaned with a battery terminal cleaner. Use the wire brush type. Then, get some vaseline, and then mix ordinary baking soda into it. Mix in enough baking soda, so that the vaseline starts to change from clear to an off white colour. Now smear the vaseline/soda mix onto your battery posts and battery terminal connections. This should be done once a year, and is VERY effective at keeping corrosion away.