2004 battery replacement question

[ewclement]

Tjhis morning my battery died. I jumped it and took the car to a local battery store. They put in a new battery, but I noticed a tube in the battery compartment. The service man said it was just a breather and not important. It that true and is a special Ford battery necessary or are standard replacements ok?

Ed

[SixPac]

Re: 2004 battery replacement question

I think that you are about to get a whole bunch of comments from TBN members who know about batteries. I don't know, so I will remain quite.

[joe166]

Re: 2004 battery replacement question

Since our batteries are in an enclosed compartment rather than the engine compartment that has no floor and substantial air flowing through it it MUST have a vent hose to remove noxious fumes that are present whenever a battery charges. If you don't remove those fumes they will eat up the compartment they are released in which also happens to be your trunk and they are also explosive!

Take that battery back and get a Ford Battery or one specifically made with a vent tube. You can search this forum for the information. As I remember it there are two or three brands you can use that are vented but if it is not vented get it out of your trunk or pay the consequences which might include a buildup of fumes until something causes them to ignite and give new meaning to those who say our cars are hot!

[Leroy]

Re: 2004 battery replacement question

I would like to know the name of this battery store, so that I can be sure to never do any business there. I'm thinking that salesman knew what that tube was for, or should have. Leroy

[NRALifer]

Re: 2004 battery replacement question

x

[PaBlkBrd]

Re: 2004 battery replacement question

WOW, I don't think anyone here knew about the Deka battery for our birds ....Nice find Kevin
I certainly didn't, and I live very close to Deka!

[MerlotBlue]

Re: 2004 battery replacement question

I would like to know the name of this battery store, so that I can be sure to never do any business there. I'm thinking that salesman knew what that tube was for, or should have. Leroy

I agree.........the fact is you don't have to be especially knowledgeable about batteries to know that they release gases that if allowed to gather can be explosive.

That vent tube and the location, in the trunk, should have been a HUGE red flag to the person installing the battery.

I hate to sound cynical here but I can only come away with two possible conclusions.

1. He suspected a problem, figured it wasn't that big a deal, didn't want to lose the sale, didn't have the right battery so he sold you what he had.

2. He actually DIDN'T know or realize the potential for a problem.


Either way.......you'd be doing the owner of this shop a HUGE favor if you report this whole episode.

This installer is in need of training......big time.

[gladiator99]

Re: 2004 battery replacement question

When I had to replace my battery I checked with a local dealer here in Canada and they wanted $180.00 for the proper vented battery. On a US weblite the same battery was $120.00. After I had decided to buy at the local dealer, I got the battery home and realized that the battery was actually manufactured in 2006 and had been sitting in the dealers inventory for 2 years. I put it in and everything seem ok, but if it fails prematurely, will they honour the warranty, seeing it was already 2 years old when I installed it. Just be careful to check the date of manufacture before you walk away with a new battery. The same goes for tires.
Cheers,
Jim

[joe166]

Re: 2004 battery replacement question

When I had to replace my battery I checked with a local dealer here in Canada and they wanted $180.00 for the proper vented battery. On a US weblite the same battery was $120.00. After I had decided to buy at the local dealer, I got the battery home and realized that the battery was actually manufactured in 2006 and had been sitting in the dealers inventory for 2 years. I put it in and everything seem ok, but if it fails prematurely, will they honour the warranty, seeing it was already 2 years old when I installed it. Just be careful to check the date of manufacture before you walk away with a new battery. The same goes for tires.
Cheers,
Jim

Battery warranties run from the date of sale. Just have to keep the receipt, which I never do.

[SR71Blackbird]

Re: 2004 battery replacement question

Jim now this may not be tne case in your instance, but I use to work at an oil co. right out of high school. We got our battries dry and put the acid in when we sold them that gave the battery unlimeted shelf life. I'm not really sure that is done any more. Just somthing to think about. Not sure how shelf life on sealed batteries are. No such thing back in 75.
Bone.

[Ediron]

Re: 2004 battery replacement question

do a search on batteries and print it out.Also look in the Ford Manual under batteries.Bring it to the selling dealer and get the right battery.There's enough info on this site about batteries.As I was told years ago "putting on a pair of mechanic coveralls does not make a mechanic"

[luvbirdz]

Re: 2004 battery replacement question

Battery warranties run from the date of sale. Just have to keep the receipt, which I never do.

Put the receipts for battery, tires , muffler in the glove box or owners manual case as soon as you get back in the car from getting it done. Easy to find years down the road when you need them.

[Lonestar]

Re: 2004 battery replacement question

Tjhis morning my battery died. I jumped it and took the car to a local battery store. They put in a new battery, but I noticed a tube in the battery compartment. The service man said it was just a breather and not important. It that true and is a special Ford battery necessary or are standard replacements ok?

Ed

Gee, what a scum bag or maybe just not aware... No, scum bag. The post says "Battery Store" so one would assume a level of knowledge a bit above your local auto parts store or Sears. Ask the guy if he would like to have one of his kids ride with you on a hot day.

[texasbird]

Re: 2004 battery replacement question

Jim now this may not be tne case in your instance, but I use to work at an oil co. right out of high school. We got our battries dry and put the acid in when we sold them that gave the battery unlimeted shelf life. I'm not really sure that is done any more. Just somthing to think about. Not sure how shelf life on sealed batteries are. No such thing back in 75.
Bone.

I did the same thing during my High School and College days. Our Batteries as well as most from any outlet in our area came from General Battery Corp (GBC) out of Dallas. Occasionally we would get a battery meant for Whites Auto, Otasco, or Gibson's (if any southeners remember those names).

Anyway, GBC's policy was if the mfg. date was less than 1 year they honored it with a free replacement. If over a year, the store had to honor their portion of the warranty. Our Manager was very anal about us rotating our stock properly, to make sure the oldest of each model sold first.

I hope to make my next (really my first) million on a sealed and vented case that lets us install a regular battery in our birds seeing as to how Lou has cornerd the market on headrest and visor wraps, and Tbird Concepts has cornered the market on exterior accessories.

James

James

[Leroy]

Re: 2004 battery replacement question

The Odyssey Battery might be a good choice for a non-vented battery becuase it's not like the vented battery. It doesn't need a vent. The Odyssey is a dry cell that uses no acid and can be used or mounted in any position. It out lasts and out performs any conventional battery and when it dies it slowly looses power not all at once. But, they're not cheap. But they are a alternate choice. Leroy