BATTERY ACID = Crappy Day

[heffley_boy]

Over the past week or so, my fuel gauge seems to show I've been using a bit more gas than normal. The 4runner isn't my daily driver, so even if left un-touched for a couple days, the fuel level was going down (about 1/8 tank in 24 hours). I first thought someone was siphoning gas at night, or something, but I live in a nice rural neighborhood so it didn't make sense.

Today (about a week since I first noticed the fuel issue) I went for a rip, and saw the gauge was down another 1/8 tank since yesterday. Back at home, I get under the truck, and from tank to engine visually inspect for any leaks or anything loose. Everything is ship-shape underneath, so I check under the hood. To my horror, I see my new battery had shifted towards the belt pulley, and was worn thru on the underside!! Be it a VERY small leak, it had still melted the shit out of a couple wires for my lamps and corroded and covered whatever sits directly to the right and below the battery....aahhhh!!

My questions are:
1. What is this component? It appears to have something to do with the power steering.
2. Is there anything in this area of the engine compartment that could explain my fuel issue?
3. Do I have to worry about future problems with corrosion?

I have completely sprayed down everything after removing the compromised battery. All the corrosion build-up on the component has been removed, and everything appears okay....and extremely clean thanks to the acid bath. heh

Perhaps I have found a very crappy, but unrelated problem to the fuel....? I'll appreciate ANY input or help offered.

 

[gotmud?13]

hey man. one. holy shit!!!!!!!!!! thats insane. i have never heard of a battery shifting into the belt and being worn off! wow. im not sure, ill check tonite, but what it may be a pump of sorts, by the looks of it. but wow, you should really clean up that acid leak. what year/model of truck? ill check tonite

 

[heffley_boy]

Yeah, dude, it is pretty crappy...I wasn't too happy when I found it....but it's all cleaned up now. It's a '92 3.0 5spd, btw.

I'm just hoping that whatever that thing is that took the brunt of the acid drippage isn't damaged. I've checked it all over again, and no apparent leaks off any of the hoses. The metal housing is nice and burned clean tho....kinda too clean. hah

Now I'm off to buy a new battery....another $100 into the 4runner fund.

-Andrew

 

[gotmud?13]

dude that blows goats. im getting pissed as to how much im gonna have to dump into my 4runner. my 1st gen has sag like no other. i had someone comment on my photos of my truck saying hes never seen a 1st gen sag like that before. im gonna cram a hocky puck or 2 in there to jack it up. or spend the 700 i was quoted for new leafs. its bullshit. but you gotta watch out for corrosion, cuz all metal parts on engines, espacially the heads and intake, are uber prone to corrosion. but u know how leaf springs are c-shaped? mine are pefectly flat, if not a bit curved in the wring direction. not good:bash:

 

[ovrrdrive]

I can't tell from the pic what you're concerned about. Any chance for either a better pic or at least try to circle the damage or point an arrow to it?

 

[heffley_boy]

dude that blows goats. im getting pissed as to how much im gonna have to dump into my 4runner. my 1st gen has sag like no other. i had someone comment on my photos of my truck saying hes never seen a 1st gen sag like that before. im gonna cram a hocky puck or 2 in there to jack it up. or spend the 700 i was quoted for new leafs. its bullshit. but you gotta watch out for corrosion, cuz all metal parts on engines, espacially the heads and intake, are uber prone to corrosion. but u know how leaf springs are c-shaped? mine are pefectly flat, if not a bit curved in the wring direction. not good:bash:

Yeah, 4x4s are a never ending investment.....but worth it in the fun department I think! That's shitty about the springs, but again, worth the fix. What brand are you looking at? If you haven't checked out OME, it would be worth the look. I want to get the 2" susp lift on my rig next year, along with new tires, cuz my MTRs are damn near racing slicks now

 

[heffley_boy]

I can't tell from the pic what you're concerned about. Any chance for either a better pic or at least try to circle the damage or point an arrow to it?

Here's a pic of the part in question through the passenger side front wheel well.

 

[the_dingman]

Judging from the insulated hoses, I would say that looks like an AC part...

 

[ovrrdrive]

I agree, it looks like the compressor. I just realized though that you have a V6 model and I've only been under the hood of 22RE's...

I wouldn't worry too much about it now though. If there is any damage it's already done at this point.

 

[gotmud?13]

hey man. hows the whole fuel problem and the corrosion going? i have only been under the hoods of a 22re, and dont know v6 at all. but i have asked a few buddies of mine that have had 6cyl. and we came to the general conclusion that it is the ac pump.but not sure. there have been several leaking/dissapearing fuel issues on here. strange......

 

[chuck666]

leaking fuel

have just purchased a 88 4runner v6 and i am having the fuel loss problem too i went thru a full tank in 150km

 

[zombie]

Did you go through the whole tank or does the gauge just suggest that you did?
I have a problem in my '87 that is not uncommon. The sending unit in the tank is not working properly. If I fill the tank it shows full until about a quarter is used then it goes to empty in about 20 miles. Need to replace the sending unit. The low fuel light does work though so I don't worry about running out.

 

[heffley_boy]

thankfully, after replacing the worn battery, no more fuel issues. I'm not sure if that really affected it, or perhaps someone was jacking fuel.....or perhaps I was just crazy

As far as the acid leak, the damage seems to just been minor. Now that I know it is the A/C compressor, I'm not too worried since the system isn't charged.

I have downsized to a shorter battery this time tho....