After driving home from work, I was checking the fuse bow when I noticed a fairly loud series of gurgles coming from my battery. I've never noticed this before. Is this normal or should I immediately replace it? Thanks!

To the best of my knowledge, battery noises are usually a byproduct of being charged. I have often heard those kinds of noises, and am usually not alarmed, but,... Next time, see if your battery feels hot, or at least overly warm...it may be being overcharged. do you have a voltage gauge? And have you checked the water in there lately? I know alot of batteries are "maintainance free", but if the cap can be pryed off, I'm there..peering inside with a critical eye. :) (watch out for the acid that could splatter, also batteries release hydrogen gas...remember the Hindenburg?)

Hope this helps a little, I am sure there are people out there with more info...I just got here first, that's all. :D
-Larry

Thanks Larry! I'll check both the Temperature and voltage. It is "maintenance Free" Thanks again!

i did not pay attention to the water levels of my maintenance-free Benz-original (white) battery. Maybe the water level was checked at the Benz service center when i last brought it in for major maintenance service.

it did not make the series of "gurgling" noises like yours. But it did make ONE noise. One day i was starting up the car, and the battery exploded (!). The top of one of the cells was gone and there was some acid spilled in the area. My guess is that the water level was too low and the hydrogen present there was ignited in some way.

make sure the water levels are normal, even if it is maintenance-free.

To be on the safe side I'm on my way to buy a new battery! Thanks alot!

There should be no noises coming from a battery in normal operation. What you were hearing was one or more of the cells "gassing" which is usually caused by overcharging or low electrolyte or an internal short. If you replace the battery, make sure the charging system is not pushing excessive voltage. Have this checked or you could be buying a battery a week.

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Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

Thanks Jeff!

BTw, make sure the gurgling was the battery and not some of the branches of the cooling system, which, if memory serves me correctly, pass thru that general area. Have the battery and charging system checked and while your're at it take a look at the cooling system components in that area. You could be misreading the source of the "gurgling"... :eek:

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Jeff Lawrence
1989 300e
2000 Dodge Grand Caravan SE

New battery did the trick! When I got the old one out, I could see where it had been bubbling out. Thanks for the help to all that responded!