Vent hose routing for battery-'89 Carrera

[BMWDavid]

Sorry for so many postings. Just got my Carrera and have questions.

Anyway, my car came with a MTP-93 Interstate battery. I see a vent hole on the top of the battery but there is no fitting or tube/hose attached.

Everything is clean and there is no acid or acid residue to be seen.

I'm in the process of getting a vent kit from Interstate. Just were does the hose pass through to the outside and what is the proper routing of hose?

Thanks!

David

[Britwrench]

89 Carrera 3.2 or Carrera 4?

For the 3.2, use the Interstate hose, add more and route to outside. There was no breather hose on 3.2 models from new. Although strictly not necessary, it's a good idea.

Carrera 4 models used a breather hose, the outlet that led straight onto the AC condenser cooling fan resistor, causing it to fail.

You can also use the MTP91 if you want the smaller battery.

[BMWDavid]

Sorry, its a 3.2. Interesting that there was no breather hose from new.

Still as you do I also think its a good idea to vent the gases to the outdoors. Is there an existing hole that one can use on a 3.2?

Thanks for the info.

David

[MattAlpha]

If you feel strongly about it you can run a vent line up to the gas fill door area by following the gas lines.

Personally I'd leave it as is without the breather. A lot of work to make it look nice for little gain. Use a tray under the battery and keep it clean.

-Matt

[BMWDavid]

I was thinking about all this. The car is now 18 years old even though it only has 13,000 miles on it,there is no acid damage at all. I suppose now that I'm the latest owner and quite anal about things I can just keep an eye on it and wipe off the battery case every now and then.

David

[Wil Ferch]

Look for other posts by me on this question....

On the front trunk floor...in front of the tank but somewhat behind the front A/C blower...there is a row of button-drain valves running left -to-right across the car. See them? If not, look underneath the car behind the A/C condenser.These are wide-flange on the bottom ( IIRC) and small flange from above to act as one-way drain valves.

Push the tubing through one of these holes.

Or get a Red Top Optimal and forget the whole thing....

- Wil

[rnln]

I route mine to the front bumper by some small diameter hose (just normal hose)

[BMWDavid]

I checked the Optima battery site and there is no fittment shown for '84-'89 Carrera's. What about an another brand that was totally sealed?

David