Help - Leaky Battery. Corrosion of Metal Bits in Engine Bay

Thug · 11-10-2002, 11:01 AM

It's an '02, why not just bring it back to the dealer?

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Camperguy · 11-10-2002, 11:34 AM

I would try to get a AGM (abosorbed glass matt)/dry type of battery.I have a Pro-Volt in my WRX.Its really small and is light ,yet has 2hr reserve capacity and 1100 CCA.I got it at Summit racing.Optima/Interstate also makes a really good battery that uses AGM and is spiral wound.The good part about these batteries is ...they dont leak.The Pro-Volt bolted right in even though it is smaller...

Bill

Ginseng · 11-10-2002, 11:45 AM

I just noticed that the battery in my Forester has been slowly leaking acid. The battery tiedown bar is badly corroded as are the two threaded rods that attach the tiedown bar to the engine compartment. I think the acid has also leaked onto parts of the engine bay body shell.

Has anyone ever replaced the battery mounting hardware and associated stuff? It looks like the only way I can remove the rods and bar are to cut them and then lift out the batter and tray. The what? If the rod mounting points on the body are corroded, would I have to use something like JB Weld to reform the mounting points so I can sink new rods?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Wilkey

Ginseng · 11-10-2002, 12:09 PM

The WRX is an 02. The Forester is a 97 well out of warranty.

Wilkey

paultg · 11-10-2002, 01:46 PM

Wilkey,
They make aftermarket battery trays and battery hold down kits. You should be able to find them at your local autoparts store near the battery rack.

I'd try to get the current battery out of the car (be very careful not to get acid on the exterior paint). Then some baking soda all over the area and hose off with water will nuetralize the acid and clean things up. Wear gloves.

Try to get a good look at the damage. If your paint inside the engine bay where the battery is bolted is all messed up, you might want to repaint things with some Rustolem or something before bolting the battery tray back in.

Usually the rods and bar are just held in by the top nuts. So, when you disconnect the top nuts, you just push down on teh rod and unhook it. Something like that. I'm not sure on the new cars. You shouldn't have to cut anything though.

Paul G.

Jonathan · 11-10-2002, 04:25 PM

Wilky

I got a similar problem with my '99 Legacy. Being lazy, all I did was spill some coca-cola over the effected area. Sure its much smarter to swap out the 'leaky' battary for something that actually works and doesnt leak. I guess I should probably remove the entire battary and checkout the tray too...

Ginseng · 11-10-2002, 07:46 PM

Paul,

Thanks for the info big guy. In fact, just today I saw replacement rod and wingnut kits at Walmart. I'll check Advance Autopart tomorrow.

Jonathan,

Why'd you spill Coke on the area? Coke is highly acidic.

Wilkey

11-10-2002, 11:45 AM	#3
Ginseng Scooby Specialist Member#: 3800 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: DE Vehicle: 2002 WRB WRX Sedan 2011 Sky Blue Forester Pr	Help - Leaky Battery. Corrosion of Metal Bits in Engine Bay I just noticed that the battery in my Forester has been slowly leaking acid. The battery tiedown bar is badly corroded as are the two threaded rods that attach the tiedown bar to the engine compartment. I think the acid has also leaked onto parts of the engine bay body shell. Has anyone ever replaced the battery mounting hardware and associated stuff? It looks like the only way I can remove the rods and bar are to cut them and then lift out the batter and tray. The what? If the rod mounting points on the body are corroded, would I have to use something like JB Weld to reform the mounting points so I can sink new rods? Any advice would be appreciated. Wilkey

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Metal bits in transmission fluid of 03 WRX	WRX in STX	Factory 2.0L Turbo Powertrain	1	03-26-2010 07:38 AM
Getting rid of rat-nest of hoses in engine bay?	jsnm	Factory 2.5L Turbo Powertrain	0	02-11-2010 10:28 AM
need help, leaky oil in engine bay PICS!!!	SCOOBYdudematt	Factory 2.5L Turbo Powertrain	3	04-30-2008 02:48 PM
Battery Acid in Engine Bay	cdigerlando	Factory 2.0L Turbo Powertrain	2	08-29-2001 01:33 AM
Extra Plug in engine bay! (by water bottle) HELP!	kaos200	General Forum Archive	14	02-14-2001 09:24 PM

11-10-2002, 11:01 AM	#1
Thug Choke Artist Moderator Member#: 603 Join Date: Dec 1999 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Nashua, NH	It's an '02, why not just bring it back to the dealer? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

11-10-2002, 11:34 AM	#2
Camperguy Scooby Specialist Member#: 21274 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Western Mass Vehicle: 2002 Mc_Bains car I use to have a WRX :(	I would try to get a AGM (abosorbed glass matt)/dry type of battery.I have a Pro-Volt in my WRX.Its really small and is light ,yet has 2hr reserve capacity and 1100 CCA.I got it at Summit racing.Optima/Interstate also makes a really good battery that uses AGM and is spiral wound.The good part about these batteries is ...they dont leak.The Pro-Volt bolted right in even though it is smaller... Bill

11-10-2002, 12:09 PM	#4
Ginseng Scooby Specialist Member#: 3800 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: DE Vehicle: 2002 WRB WRX Sedan 2011 Sky Blue Forester Pr	The WRX is an 02. The Forester is a 97 well out of warranty. Wilkey

11-10-2002, 01:46 PM	#5
paultg NASIOC Supporter Member#: 437 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Londonderry, NH Vehicle: '91 Miata MX5 (Red) '09 Impreza OBS (Blk/Gry)	Wilkey, They make aftermarket battery trays and battery hold down kits. You should be able to find them at your local autoparts store near the battery rack. I'd try to get the current battery out of the car (be very careful not to get acid on the exterior paint). Then some baking soda all over the area and hose off with water will nuetralize the acid and clean things up. Wear gloves. Try to get a good look at the damage. If your paint inside the engine bay where the battery is bolted is all messed up, you might want to repaint things with some Rustolem or something before bolting the battery tray back in. Usually the rods and bar are just held in by the top nuts. So, when you disconnect the top nuts, you just push down on teh rod and unhook it. Something like that. I'm not sure on the new cars. You shouldn't have to cut anything though. Paul G.

11-10-2002, 04:25 PM	#6
Jonathan Scooby Guru Member#: 4021 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Natick, MA USA Vehicle: 1999 Legacy GT Ltd Quick Silver Metallic	Wilky I got a similar problem with my '99 Legacy. Being lazy, all I did was spill some coca-cola over the effected area. Sure its much smarter to swap out the 'leaky' battary for something that actually works and doesnt leak. I guess I should probably remove the entire battary and checkout the tray too...

11-10-2002, 07:46 PM	#7
Ginseng Scooby Specialist Member#: 3800 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: DE Vehicle: 2002 WRB WRX Sedan 2011 Sky Blue Forester Pr	Paul, Thanks for the info big guy. In fact, just today I saw replacement rod and wingnut kits at Walmart. I'll check Advance Autopart tomorrow. Jonathan, Why'd you spill Coke on the area? Coke is highly acidic. Wilkey