Battery Leaking on 2000 C230
 

The original battery went on my C230 two months ago.

Sears was the closest store so I replaced it with a diehard. I had the new battery for a month when I noticed it was leaking battery acid where the vent line connects to the battery. I assumed it was overcharging and checked the voltage. I was getting 13 at the battery with the car off and 14.5 with the car at idle.

I did not think 14.5 was very high, but replaced the voltage regulator anyway about 3 weeks ago. After replacing the regulator I am getting 13 with the car off and 14 with the car on.

I have continually re-checked the trunk to see if the battery was leaking but found nothing until today when I found what amounts to a table spoon or two of acid. It was fairly hot today and it is the first time I had the ac going in the car for a few months, not sure if they are related.

If I replaced the regulator what else could it be?

Could it be the new battery went bad before I replaced the regulator and now even though the regulator is good the battery will not charge properly?

Thanks for any help you can provide

Billmannk

is it possibly just overfilled?

I thought that the batteries in the trunk were supposed to have "closed" caps and a breather hose like motorcycles have. If they sold you a conventional battery without an external vent, you are asking for trouble!!
You could get hydrogen gas build up in the trunk.

It is a sealed battery that is connected to the vent line. But as I understand it, the vent is only designed to discharge gases, not the acid. The acid leaks from where the ventline is connected to the battery. Some acid does get discharged via the ventline, but some leaks.

Maybe I should but a MB battery and return this one to Sears.

Your thoughts?

Get a replacement or a refund. ;)

billmannk, There should not be ANY acid leakage from where the tube hooks up to the battery. I have had good luck with Sears batteries but if they can't or won't make it right, get a refund and go with the OE battery. My $.02, Chris

The only battery that should be sold is Interstate. They only get overhauled 3 times, tghen sold as no good. My shop sells only Interstate and when the guy comes every month, the ones that sit, get replaced. 14.5 volts is great charging for your car, but the bigest thing is amps. You have to check the amps. A good alternator will not charge a bad battery. Sounds like you bought a sears batt and you need to go buy quallitiy