My battery was replaced as part of the starter replacement TSB about a year ago. Yesterday, I checked on the battery and discovered it covered with red fluid. The +/- terminal are covered as well. Curiously, the fluid on covered the top of the battery and did not run down the sides. Is the battery leaking? What is the best way to clean this up? The car did have a major (end of warranty) serviced by Mazda a month ago. I am of course contacting Mazda where the work was done.

 

I think that the anti corrosive spray they used.

 

yep

 

Phew. Thanks for the replies guys. Followup questions.
Should the fluid cover the entire top of the battery?
Now that I wiped it off, should I go get some and reapply?

 

What he said...

 

The top of the battery is plastic. It doesn't corrode, so it doesn't need to be coated with anti-corrosion goop. You only need it on the terminal clamps and maybe a small area around them to keep the acid away. The top of the battery should be kept clean and dry by occasional wipedown with a rag or paper towel. Can't do that if it's gummed up with the red stuff.

Better yet, get an AGM battery such as Optima, and you won't have to deal with adding water, battery caps, or the venting, acid and corrosion.

 

Thanks Nubo. Just reaffirming yet again that no one should trust the dealer technicians.

 

I wouldn't necessarily accuse them of untrustworthiness. I think the *best* approach is occasional wipe-down of the battery to remove the layer of acidic grime that can accumulate. If the top of the battery gets enough crud on it, it can actually conduct electricity between the battery poles and drain the battery.

A garage mechanic sometimes operates under different assumptions. They know that a lot of people are never even going to look at the battery and so they may coat the entire battery top with anti-corrosive goo, clean and reapply on those rare occasions when the car comes back for maintenance.

Not necessarily an invalid approach. It depends on how the car will be used. To me it's unnecessary and messy. My Aunt in New York might be better off with the goo.

I went with an Optima battery and 4 years later the terminals are like new without any coating at all. I still wipe down the battery out of habit, but I doubt if there is any acid at all in the dust.

 

keeping the tops of battery clean is not a bad habit. its good in every way as it creates less draws, chance for corrosion, etc.

good man.

tip: corrosion can be safely cleaned off by pouring some soda( pick ur most hated brand) on the terminals to remove it without toxically harming yourself.