I recall vaguely there was recently a recall on south african built C class batteries. This is due to a gas vent being blocked on the battery casing at manufacture. Internaly generated gas has nowhere to go so eventually BOOM. Even "sealed" batteries should have a vent or gas permeable membrane to release gases. Batteries located in the boot should have a vent pipe to the exterior to prevent build up of gases in the boot. Usually engine mounted batteries are not in a sealed compartment so venting is not an issue.

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Grober
Last of the ol 124s"

Worked with a woman years ago whose husband lost an eye to a piece of a battery when it exploded. He had a lit cigarette in his mouth when he went to check something under the hood. Kind of like using a match to look in the gas fill to see how much you have.

Tim

Just for trivia's sake, I suppose....

Varta is owned by Johnson Controls.

I went to the Varta site and found this out there. Also, it looks like there are no Varta retailers in the U.S.

Makes me wonder where the battery that blew up on me came from...?
The dealer, maybe?

Also, my battery was whitish in color, whereas the batteries on the Varta site are not.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Larry, which car was it?

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

It was the E420.

Anybody know if those little vent things on the 1/4 panel are fairly easy to find? Are they used on the 300's also?

Thanks!

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D