Cleaning the battery area

Hi, All

I have had my MB now for more than a year and need to do some cleaning around the battery.

It does not look bad there, but I have not removed the battery yet so there might be a surprise hidden underneath.

Anyway, I normally clean a battery and it's immediate environment with a hot solution of water and plenty of baking soda. The baking soda neutralises any acidity in and around the battery (quite a foamy mess when the baking soda reacts with any acid - but sorts it out nicely).

In a nice and open environment around the battery this does not pose a problem - in the MB I do not know if there is any drain for the water that will end up in that area.

Obviously I'll steer clear of the relays and goodies hidden behind the plastic cover.


Will anything drown because there is no drain to get rid of the water ?

Any other ideas for cleaning without creating a small swimming pool in the firewall ?

If I end up with bare metal below the battery - any special acid resistant paint that I can use to get things nice and painted ?

TIA
L

[JimSmith]

za_w124_200e,

I believe the W124 series is similar to the W123 and W201 series in that the areas around the hood hinges have a drain. If you live in an area with squirrels and other rodents that live outside, you may find this area full of acorns and leaves, or if you park under trees of any kind, you may find it clogged with similar debris. So, to get started, you may want to remove the visible junk in the area.

I regularly clean and spray my battery support area with penetrating fluid or other spray oil to keep any corrosion down. I use a mat under the battery (I got mine from Griot's Garage) to neutralize any acid from the battery that might get there, before it damages the tray.

Good luck, Jim

[Bear]

Jim what is the mat under your battery made of?Bear

[1991 560 SEC]

Get an Optima battery and you`ll never have a problem again.

John

[Bazzman]

I have exactly the same car - well a wagon anyway.E200.
I cleaned the battery area in just the same way.

The other guys are correct, there IS a drain, it's the hole through which the drain tube from the windscreen gutter passes through.
I cleaned up the area under the battery with baking soda to neutralise any acid, worked a treat. Most of the electricals are raised up a tad, and they are mostly behind the black plastic cover that lives behind the battery. Obviously, don't flood the area as you don't want to soak the ECU or other stuff behind there.
Only problem I had was slight deafness for a minute or two as I forgot that the alarm would sound when I reconnected the battery, and my head was within 6 inches of the darn thing .

I was able to disconnect the siren leads until I found the key fob and turn the alarm off.
Good luck

Barry

Hi, Barry & Jim

Thanks for the feedback re the existance of a draining hole.

Appreciate the detail. Don't have any critters here dropping things into the car - so I'm pretty sure the plumbing will not be blocked.


I'll also stay clear of the alarm system when reconnecting the battery !!!


Regards
L