Leaking battery in '97 c140
 

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. ;)

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? ;)

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. :D
Don't you have to question the reasoning of some engineers.......even german ones. ;)