pjc

Just replaced my battery like for like - noticed that a small diameter plastic tube was 'floating about' in the battery area near the front of the car, disappearing somewhere? Does this connect to the vent pipe on the battery?

Doesn't look like part of the headlight washer system but.......I've looked in the handbook and the workshop manual CD but no mention of a vent tube for the battery.

PJC

amfp

It is very important the wet cell batteries are properly vented, otherwise the battery gases will cause acid stains / rust in battery area. Make sure the vent tube is connected and runs outside the car. You may even want to run water through the vent tube to make sure it drains properly and follow if tube has any blockage.

pjc

Thanks guys - much relief! I imagined connecting my battery up to the headlight washer system and flooding it first go!! I will indeed check to ensure it is clear.

I have an old 911 that I am very conversant with and this has no vent pipe, hence the question. Makes me think I should fit a tube on the old gilr as well - it happens to require exactly the same battery as the 993 with 20 years separating them.

Thanks again.

PJC

viperbob

Or you could buy a dry cell battery and not have to worry about the vent tube at all...

ca993twin

Speaking of batteries, does anybody else recall that the really early (long hood) 911s used two, small, 12 V batteries? For better weight balance I imagine.

Are the Optima red top batteries dry cells? I have a Dyna-batt gel battery that I used to run in the Cobra, and weighs about 12 pounds.

pjc

Bob,

Yeh, great idea - I have been struggling to find out who makes and where I can get a gel battery - just been told (via private post) that OPTIMA red is gel! Great news.

PJC

LAURIER

From what I still remember the old 911's had 2 small 6V batteries.

ca993twin

Rich,

Hmmmm.... no, I'm pretty sure it was two 12V batteries. The MGs used two 6V batteries, if memory serves ... which it rarely does.

IanUK

The 911 was fitted with two batteries between 1969 and 1973.

They were 12v batteries and the explanation I have seen is that this was the only way to get the required cranking amps in those days to be able to start the car when it was cold due to the amount of oil in the engine.

When battery technology caught up in 1974 Porsche reverted to a single battery system.

Where does this battery vent pipe appear exit the body in the 993? I have never seen one fitted and can't find one in either of my cars.

Ian.

IanUK

.... mind you I have also seen the weight distribution theory as well .... probably both ... LOL