Why should a battery terminal crack?

Post by **EstVolvo** » 13 Dec 2014, 20:17

I had a car sitting for five months. The battery was dead and its positive terminal had a buildup that looked like a ball of ashes.
Once I cleaned everything I saw a crack around the terminal.
I haven't used any force around this terminal so it can't be mechanical damage.
Can anybody explain what may have caused the cracking?
What are the MIN and MAX marks on the side of the battery for? How are they supposed to be used?
How do I find out if the fluid level is correct?
Is there one big compartment for the fluid or many small ones?
If the liquid level is too low, what am I supposed to add in there?
How do I find out how old the battery is?
One side (positive) of the battery has a little white plug and the other side (negative) has just a little hole without a plug ... is it supposed to have one, two or no plugs?

Post by **JDS60R** » 13 Dec 2014, 20:32

You can discard that battery. That terminal is lifted. Although there are many way for that to occur I commonly see over charging , sulfation or too much force on the terminal ( doesn't take much) .

The level marks are to mark the correct level of electrolyte in the battery. Looks like you have 6 openings . If you are not prepared to safely handle the acid in the battery it is best that you do not open it.

Your local volvo dealer will decode the numbers for you and tell you its age.

Post by **rspi** » 13 Dec 2014, 20:37

Volvo doesn't want us to know it's age. When I called the dealer, they acted like they could not tell me.

Post by **dosbricks** » 13 Dec 2014, 20:48

Setting for five months, the battery should have been disconnected and had a periodic maintenance charge. The electrolyte more than likely stratified and sulfated.

Post by **EstVolvo** » 13 Dec 2014, 21:09

I did some more investigation and found two date stamps under the battery.
The battery seems to be close to 9 years old.

Post by **rspi** » 13 Dec 2014, 22:43

Nice job. Time for a change.

Post by **jimmy57** » 14 Dec 2014, 08:53

K6 is October 2006. The stamp in case is manufacture date for the case. 7F is a factory code.

db130 · Post by **db130** » 14 Dec 2014, 12:42

It took me a while to find K6 in the photos.

Thanks for that.

I would have thought Feb 2006 judging by the stamps on the bottom.