True Start battery

Robs08Runner

New member
I was doing my fall check today and found a pretty green ring around the positive terminal on my 27 month old True Start battery. I believe its only a 24 month free replacement. I won't buy another. Was wondering how Interstate batteries are treating everybody. I replaced the one in my Firebird on Monday and looks like I'll be doing the 4runner this weekend. Luckily, hasn't gotten on the cable yet.
 
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I'm confused... are you saying that the positive terminal is leaking? Or that you found corrosion on the terminal? If you found corrosion that doesn't exactly mean the battery is at fault.
 
I found the corrosion where the terminal attaches to the battery case. What I assumed was that it was seeping acid there. I didn't see any electrolyte coming out of the caps to get near the terminal. Could I be wrong?
 
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What do you think my next step should be? I don't mind cleaning up the corrosion and putting some dielectric grease around the bottom of the terminal. I was afraid of keeping the battery and letting it get into the cable. Give me a bit of time and I'll snap a quick pic.
 
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I found the corrosion where the terminal attaches to the battery case. What I assumed was that it was seeping acid between the terminal and case. I didn't see any electrolyte coming out of the caps to get near the terminal Could I be wrong?

It is possible, I have seen that once or twice in the past.

What I usually see is that the terminals were not cleaned well when the battery was replaced or they were worn down to the copper plating (which seems to just attract that stuff.)

I would look at the top of the battery, if you see something that looks sort of like a moist grime; that's most likely off-gassing that's been occurring and could be contributing to your corrosion issue.

What is the CCA, and version of True Start you have in your vehicle (is it a 84month and/or the lower CCA battery compared to the 720CCA unit used in the higher trims?) I see a lot of brand new Toyotas showing signs of off-gassing. Usually it's from owners who do frequent small trips and short drives; it strains the batteries and since many of these newer Corollas, Camrys, Tacomas, 4Runners, ect are usually running batteries south of 550/580 CCA I wouldn't be surprised if it strains the batteries some and contributes to off-gassing/corrosion.

Post Note-

If you are looking for a battery, I'd see if you can find a more "European" style one that has a vent tube vs. caps. I know a few people who run them and since the hydrogen is vented through the tube and away from the top of the battery, they see almost no corrosion. There was one or two brands that I can't think of the name off the top of my head that sold 12v Car Batteries for all makes and models with the same side vent tubes you see in Mercedes, VW, BMW, ect.

AGM batteries also don't tend to off-gas like flooded ones do.
 
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You have an interesting point. I didn't notice the top of the battery being all that dirty. May need to do a baking soda water treatment. It's one of those group 27 True Starts with an 84 month warranty and 710 cca I believe. You've hit me right on the head too with the short drives. I treat it pretty well though. I put a smart charger on them twice a year to maintain close to a full charge.
 
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Here you go.
 

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that's the battery off gassing. I have a 3 year old Exide battery which is doing the same thing. how old is your battery?
 
funniest thing in the world OP. That True Start is an Interstate battery. Also what blackworks asked. Is it a True 2 or an 84 month battery?
 
Another interesting answer may be to clean it up and put it on the charger and see if the corrosion comes back quickly. It's hasn't been touched since the install other than being charged up a few times.
 
That's very minor, I'd get an acid neutralizer and clean it up. If the copper plating isn't showing after you clean it, I wouldn't worry. Clean the top of the battery as well.
 
On 2nd thought, I think it's coming from caps by the way the rest of the top looks. Its never been cleaned since the install. That Ctek I have does run it up to 14+ volts for a short time and I think its gassing a bit. Think I'll clean it up and wait a few weeks and see if it comes back. Thank ya very much Blackworks!
 

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It's all cleaned up now and have been driving around some today. I may just have to say that I was paranoid and quick to condemn the battery this time. Thanks again everybody.
 

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