Why is Battery Bracket corroding Now??

Question

Greetings all,Last month I changed out the original battery on my 95 S320.  Thebattery compartment in the trunk was clean and no signs of corrosionanywhere.  Today I  looked into the battery compartment area and wassurprsised to see the battery hold down bracket covered with whitepowdery corrosion.Why now?  What could have possibly changed?  Both are lead acid andthe original has been in there since 1995 without any sign ofcorrosion.In addition to the curious "why", how could I prevent this?Thanks to the group for your collective wisdom!!Bob

marlinspike · Accepted Answer

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

Karl · Answer

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

Martin Joseph · Answer

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

William P.N. Smith · Answer

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...

marlin · Answer

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

Why is Battery Bracket corroding Now??

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