I was installing my BHAF today and discovered that one of my batteries had blown up or something (a big piece of the top had broke loose and I could look right inside) and there seemed to be acid splattered all over under the hood:bang::bang: Any suggestions what would be the best course of action to clean this up? I did go to the car wash and washed it off good with soap then rinsed real good.

Get a very thin file (1/8" thick), take the negative terminal off and loosen the bolt or take the bolt out, pry the middle out a little bit and file it down so you can tighten it down more.. The two faces of the terminal that meet (that I'm pointing too) are what you have to file down, you will have to take the bolt out and get pliers on either side to pull it apart and get just enough room for the file to get in there, then file it down a little bit.

Edited January 21, 201015 yr by ISX

Geez... Get some engine oil on those cables... Even mine don't have rust or corrosion on them at all... Look like you been getting carried away with terminal cleaner and over tightening. so if you remove the terminal and clean it will and coat it will engine oil and re-assemble but just snug the terminal you'll never worry about it again. Just remember if you wash the engine bay to recoat the terminals with engine oil.

Geez... Get some engine oil on those cables... Even mine don't have rust or corrosion on them at all... Look like you been getting carried away with terminal cleaner and over tightening. so if you remove the terminal and clean it will and coat it will engine oil and re-assemble but just snug the terminal you'll never worry about it again. Just remember if you wash the engine bay to recoat the terminals with engine oil.

that is a trick i never knew...i had never touched those clamps until i put those batteries in...some times you inherit someone else's mess. but then i'm still shaking the motto: "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". preventative maintenance is a much better motto. the negative in that pic is loose enough to wiggle off the post...and i can't get it much tighter because i can't get a good bite on the nut.

Take the negative terminal off so you can get a good bite with vise grips or anything and just replace the bolt and nuts. I swear battery's have a way of softening the metal in those nuts which is why they strip so easily. Hmm, I have a crazy idea that would fix all those grip problems for good. Have to try it when I get home.What in the hell is going on with the positive terminal? You got nuts on both ends

Edited January 21, 201015 yr by ISX

My drivers side battery has the same type of bolt on the battery. Must have been a OEM item.

Kind of like my setup... Double nutted...[ATTACH]508[/ATTACH]This pic is a bit old and there is no longer any wiring going to my battery I came up with a new idea that is much cleaner...

Hey folks, for what it's worth to you, I have been using plain old wood workers Orange Shellac on battery terminals (after cleaned with warm baking soda and water, then blow dried) for a lot of years. Learned it from an old diesel mechanic when I was a kid. It has always worked well for me, and will take a fair number of engine bay washings before having to be touched up. I brush it on real good and all down and around, and under the terminal, let it dry, and then look for any spots I may have missed. I use those little disposable acid brushes to put it on with. You can't miss any spots, or corrosion will show up. My 2-cents ...............Hood Latch

Valid idea... But comes up short though... Everytime you use jumper cables your eatting holes in the shellac and opening up fo new corrosion. So you would have to remember to coat the terminals again... The idea of the terminal coating in the spray can is basically colored grease. Around here jump cable are used a lot bailing people out.

Valid idea... But comes up short though... Everytime you use jumper cables your eatting holes in the shellac and opening up fo new corrosion. So you would have to remember to coat the terminals again... The idea of the terminal coating in the spray can is basically colored grease. Around here jump cable are used a lot bailing people out.

This is true; whenever you use jumpers, you have to twist thru the shellac and then when finished, touch it up. But, it has always worked well and I don't mind the touch up. However, I see your point. If you are jump starting a lot of other folk's vehicles, this may not work for you.

I know a lot of daily driver guys that don't do much more that drive it and add fuel work work awesome for them so the idea is valid...Another crazy way... Funny but true if you are really cheap and don't have time for any of the above... Can of WD40 does wonders too...