Raining on the battery ?

Flat4ever · 12-13-2002, 06:33 AM

Hi friends,

I carefully read all topics about acid attacks on the right side and I have an existential question about rust in this area...

When it is raining, the water falling on the engine lid goes trough the two funnels. OK

BUT what about water falling on the two small lateral grids, as pictured below ?

In my 1973 2.0 there is nothing to keep the water and it falls on the battery, making a fantastic mixture water + acid that runs down along the right side...

So, except staying in Sahara desert, is there a way to not have this phenomen ?

Regards from Bordeaux, France

norustscott · norustscott's Garage

A sealed battery...gelcell like the optima baterries...

jackmech · 12-13-2002, 08:10 AM

Going all the way back to high school chemistry here. Has anyone thought of mixing up a basic mixture (isn't baking power basic?) to counteract the acidic water? Maybe put it in a spray bottle and then after a rain or washing the car, give a spritz around the battery area and ta-da, no more acid. Could this work? Or would have a base on the metal be just as bad?

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

From what I have read, a water-and-baking-soda mixture is also harmful to the metal. Eventually. So the idea expressed at that time was to use the mixture to neutralize any acid, then rinse it very thoroughly with plain water.

After quite a few years of doing that (and forgetting to do that), I finally decided that Optima was the only way to go...

BTW, there is supposed to be a plastic cover that goes over the battery. It does help, but is not a complete solution. Again, I suggest an Optima or similar battery.

--DD

Zeke · 12-13-2002, 08:26 AM

Mark, people have been known to sprinkle baking soda in the tray before and after each moisture attack on all types of vehicles. That was before sealed batteries. Get the sealed battery. You can still rinse your metal with a base solution.

Query: I wonder if some of the great survivors were oily pigs that warded off the acidic deterioration do to massive filth in the area.

J P Stein · 12-13-2002, 11:34 AM

Here in the NW, it's been known to rain.
I have personally looked at approx 40 914s in this area.
Approx 90% of them are rusted thru in the top of the longitudinal....we're talking a big effin' hole. Once that acid wash gets into the long, it's there till it eats it's way out. The bulkheads (or inner fender) adjacent to the battery trays are also frequently venilated.

The problem is the lack of accessebility to the area around (particularily below) the tray and the FI control unit. Even if the battery didn't produce an acid wash, this would be a major problem. Crap & corruption gets in there, the drain hole, with it's plastic one way valve, plugs. The guck in there gets wet and
stays wet.....and since you can't see it.....our non-rusted cars will become increasingly rare & we'll get rich....rich, I tell ya!

The solution ?....a pic is worth a thousand wurds.

Flat4ever · 12:33 PM

OK J P

Your battery moved to rear (or front) trunk and it is probably the best solution for acid problems.

So, it is still raining in the engine compartiment, isnt'it ? Where goes the water coming through the little black grid ?

(Sorry for my poor english)

Philippe

J P Stein · 12-13-2002, 12:50 PM

Water, what water?
"ulf" doesn't go out in the rain and I wash it with dehydrated water.

There is a drain hole at the bottom of the hell hole. The plastic widget is history.....both sides, of course.

I haven't the need to come up with a solution to the rain passing thru the grill, just a method of dealing with it when it does.....clean out and rust proof the area (best that you can) and inspect frequently, but first, you have to be able to see in there.

Your English is far superior to my French....your English is prolly far superior to my English.

JWest · 12-13-2002, 12:55 PM

Does Pelican carry that "dehydrated water"? I got to me some of that.

dave blackburn · 12-13-2002, 01:58 PM

flat4ever, Your nickname got me thinking.... I have never owned a car with any other type of engine. Two Subaru's, VW bugs and a 914. I didn't even plan it. Dave

Bleyseng · Bleyseng's Garage

This is what most NW cars engine shelf looks like.....
Geoff

Flat4ever · 12-13-2002, 03:08 PM

Waooooo !

How do you repair that ? Do you have pics of rustoration ?

douglas robbins · 12-13-2002, 04:55 PM

That engine compartment is beautiful. What kind of engine insulation are you using on your firewall?

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Flat4ever
Waooooo !

How do you repair that ?

A little fiberglass, a little Bondo, a little Rustoleum--and a classified ad that says "NO RUST EVER!!!!"

--DD (Who is sure we've all seen cars with "repair jobs" like that...)

J P Stein · 12-13-2002, 05:02 PM

Douglas:
Aluminum backed Dynamat.....it's a long story, but it didn't help the noise level in the pilot house...looks nice tho.

Geoff:

Ayup, bout average for a NW teener.....that means half are worser.

Bleyseng · Bleyseng's Garage

You can't repair that car! No floor boards, rear supension points are rotten a parts car at best. Still about average for a NW car and usually they want $2500 for 'em too. This car also fails the DD big butt test without him even sitting in it.
Geoff

chrisreale · 12-13-2002, 10:50 PM

bastards! Now you guys got me thinkin'. I live in the NW, had the car out in the rain a few days ago, I know the battery area is a little uncared for, but I have no Idea what the longitudinals look like. talk about the Dirk Wright disease...Prolly gonna find some things that need replacing....

korijo · 10:58 PM

Hey chris, does mine look like a nw car, or what. Hole thru the tray and the works. We'll look at the longs after we drop the motor on Sunday. Waddu think?
I think rust paranoia is contageous......

PS I am in the middle of updating "My Projects" below... check it out (914 anyways)

J P Stein · 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bleyseng
This car also fails the DD big butt test without him even sitting in it.
Geoff

Ayup again......one glance from His Dampness and that thing would rend itself assunder....in the biblical sense.

Kevin Powers · 12-14-2002, 06:59 AM

offered, battery acid neutralizing kit $29.95 shipped to your door ( this is a JOKE). the yellow matting available for the tray is helpful. get the optima.when you are driving very little water gets in, don't park in the rain. make sure those stupid one way drains are not plugged (bet they are). get a water proof car cover.

kevin