well, i went to drive this coupe today. remote key did not work. car electrically dead. uh-oh. opened it manually. went to the trunk to check the battery. was not happy to see evidence of leakage and white powder[not anthrax i think] on the floor of the battery compartment.

first time that this car has had a battery problem. original battery. but now i am displeased by the fact that benz has placed this battery in a location where leakage could eat a hole through the floor of the trunk.

any recommendations as to how to prevent a recurrence of this problem? and what do you gurus recommend to neutralize the residual battery acid?

all ears.

where are you located?

in the states MB had a service recall on batteries, a sticker was placed in the car ( 202 C - class ) specifying frequent battery checks.

There is a battery mat that is sold that fits under and around the battery to absorb acid and stuff, chk it out a www.griotsgarage.com

Albert

Neutralize battery acid.....bakingsoda.

__________________
2007 C 230 Sport.

thnx for the info about the battery pad from griot's.

and i knew of baking soda, i just wondered if there was something a little more high tech.

the car had been idle for 2 months. but it had been started in early february. so, apparently, in the last 3 weeks, the battery failed and began leaking.

cleaned out the acid residue with baking soda and scraping and flushing with water out the drain hole. finished with a neutralizing water soluble spray, installed griot's mat, and installed the new battery.

but the issue for me is this one - why didn't benz fit the battery into an acid resistant, plastic container?

and lastly, is there any such a container available in the aftermarket?

all ears...

batery container?

__________________
C140 420 CL
W114 280CE pimpmobile
W114 250/8 Hillclimber with M110 and bike carbs - got any hot cams?

yes, you know, a plastic box. as it is, benz locates the battery above the steel, and painted, floor of the right trunk well. so, if a cell fails and the battery leaks, acid drips onto the steel.

i think, and so does the service director at the new dealership in town, that benz should have placed the battery within a plastic container, just as is done with boats.

and what he really doesn't like is the battery under the rear seat of e series cars.

neither would i.

my indy garageman thinks that when batteries are in these locations, it might be prudent to replace them every 18-24 months as a maintenance routine.

Albert,

The battery on my 1962 VW Bug was under the rearseat as well.
The only place in the whole car that got warm in the winter.
Don't you have to question the reasoning of some engineers.......even german ones.

__________________
2007 C 230 Sport.