99 E300 battery cavity care/maintenance Qs....... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Skid Row Joe · #1 08-02-2013, 01:25 PM

When checking out the new owner on the workings of the E300 last week, I noticed a good deal of surface rust (staining) in there on the floorboard, which developed when I added water to the previous battery 4 +/- years ago.

The rust is over the car's color, Smoke Silver, so it's purely rust colored debris or topical powder only at this stage. But I want to get vigilant and busy on cleaning it thoroughly this time!

My Q is how to do a complete cleaning of the cavity, and perhaps coating it with something to discourage even the surface rust in the future? I cleaned with baking soda and water last time I changed the battery out years ago. I also bought a new rubber/plastic grommet that plugs the hole to drain, since the original was worn out 4 years ago. The replacement is in good condition still.

My 2nd Q is whether one should ever add water to these batteries? I read somewhere that you should not - hence why it over flowed into the cavity - however it did not drain out the overflow clear plastic tubing to the exterior.

Thanks for any expert insight or been there, done that with this model car!

JamesDean · #2 08-02-2013, 02:25 PM

I think that clear plastic tube is more for a vent..not in the sense of like liquid venting but for the venting of gasses.

You should post some pics of the effected area.

for Q1: It would depend on how badly damaged/dirty the area was... Maybe the same procedure would work? Maybe you would be better served by just wire wheeling the area and re-painting it? Or applying some kind of rust coating? like Eastwood's Rust Encapsulator or POR15?

As for adding water? I've never done it. Most of my batterys have led nice long lives. I know my parents van lasted 8 years before kicking the bucket.

Skid Row Joe · #3 08-02-2013, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

I think that clear plastic tube is more for a vent..not in the sense of like liquid venting but for the venting of gasses.

You should post some pics of the effected area.

for Q1: It would depend on how badly damaged/dirty the area was... Maybe the same procedure would work? Maybe you would be better served by just wire wheeling the area and re-painting it? Or applying some kind of rust coating? like Eastwood's Rust Encapsulator or POR15?

As for adding water? I've never done it. Most of my batterys have led nice long lives. I know my parents van lasted 8 years before kicking the bucket.

Thanks for the advice/reply. Unfortunately, no pics from me since the car is over a thousand miles away with it's new owners. I am asking Qs to advise the new owners at this point. However you gave me an idea. The new owner does have a very good cell phone camera, so it may be doable - RE: pics......

In regards battery aging? My SD would go two to three years longer than the '99 E300's useful battery life w/o trickle charging, I believe since the lack of on-board computer and fulltime electronics weren't drawing on the battery 24/7. Someone with more knopwledge can confirm or negate my belief here?

JamesDean · #4 08-02-2013, 03:20 PM

I think my dad's daily driver SD's battery is from 2007 or a few year earlier. Its still going strong.

I would put a multimeter on your battery and see what the current draw is when the car is off.. .

I know the 126's is usually 20-40 mA due to the little clock..

jay_bob · #5 08-02-2013, 03:48 PM

Beware on the W210 and other models with the battery within the passenger compartment:

The battery on these models is not a standard "wet" battery as found in most under-hood applications. The OE battery is designed to be leak proof in the event of a roll over. I believe this means it is a gel or AGM type battery. These batteries are more costly, but they don't require periodic addition of water and they last longer than standard batteries.

One of the reasons the under hood battery cars get battery tray rust is that the electrolyte can escape the battery under normal operation.

If you have an aftermarket, non OE battery, in a vehicle with an interior battery compartment, I would highly recommend you change back to an OE battery.

Source: Owners manual for my W210

Skid Row Joe · #6 08-02-2013, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay_bob

Beware on the W210 and other models with the battery within the passenger compartment:

The battery on these models is not a standard "wet" battery as found in most under-hood applications. The OE battery is designed to be leak proof in the event of a roll over. I believe this means it is a gel or AGM type battery. These batteries are more costly, but they don't require periodic addition of water and they last longer than standard batteries.

One of the reasons the under hood battery cars get battery tray rust is that the electrolyte can escape the battery under normal operation.

If you have an aftermarket, non OE battery, in a vehicle with an interior battery compartment, I would highly recommend you change back to an OE battery.

Source: Owners manual for my W210

Thanks JB!

Now, what about the W211's battery in the trunk........does it take the same type of MB battery that the W210 does? One you never add water to?