fastsvo

My Wal Mart battery (group 49) just died and it had leaked battery acid through the vent hose and around the battery itself.

So the fun now begins trying to find a replacement battery. Walmart no longer carries the group size 49 and my local store was out of stock on the 94R version.

Now, every other "94R" battery I have found does not feature a vented cap system. Should I really be concerned about retaining this feature?

Is there a red Optima unit now that will fit the stock tray?

Thanks,
Eric

Quadcammer

absolutely yes, get a vented battery.

i wouldn't get an optima.

ADias

The vent is essential. Was the vent not set correctly? It should have released acid through the pipe vent, not around it. Venting is due to overcharging.

An Optima is an excellent option. Mounting hardware sourced by Rennline.

JW911

Autozone has a battery that works fine and is vented.

wwest

Sounds supiciously like your "failed" battery was being OVER-charged, COOKED.

But, yes, a vented battery is required for a long life, yours, that is. The cabin air inlet is within inches of the battery.

JasonKM

You can use the vent with the elbow into the 94R battery from Walmart. Did you keep the elbow?
In my case I used the elbow on one side and blocked the other. I used the plug in the hold battery in the 94R from Walmart

fastsvo

I couldn't see how I could have incorrectly connected the rubber hose to the vent opening coming off the battery cap.

Yes, there was some acid inside the line and on the tray as well. I took everything out and cleaned it up using backing soda. My tray was also sanded, primed, and painted in the affected areas.

The car doesn't get driven much and I have no idea why it would be overcharging itself.

Just a note, I was unable to power up the car through the power stud inside the fuse box in order to open the trunk. I ended up using the cigarette lighter method.

Bijan

AFIK the vent tube is for taking potentially explosive hydrogen gas by product outside the frunk.
If there has been acid venting, as has been suggested it can be due to overcharging or a short inside the battery (most likely if the battery has had deep cycle discharges due to age etc)
Likely the Optima does not need a vent because it uses a dry gel electrolyte instead of sulphuric acid.

cvazquez

Quick get baking soda and clean the acid mess around all areas. Leave the baking soda a couple of days and wash thoroughly.

rebattery

All lead acid batteries are "vented" including Optima, it's a matter of directing the gases outside the frunk in our case. Sealed lead acid batteries such as the Optima and gels are only vent if the inside pressure exceds the emergency pop off vents.

No HTwo O

Fastsvo, what battery maintainer are you using, if any? Did you ever maintain the battery, and add distilled water? Possibly it was overfilled during this process. Our batteries are low maintenance....not maintenance free. Keeping the water level up to the proper level and using a battery maintainer are key to longevity.

jhbrennan

I've used Optimas for quite some time - where is the emergency pop off vent?