Re: [Chrysler300] Creeping Crud

[Rich Barber <barber@xxxxxxxxx>]

The diagnosis and fixes are appropriate, and here are some other 
thoughts.  A battery in an engine compartment will be kept more dry due 
to airflow and engine heat.  Acid fumes and moisture are swept away.  If 
the battery is located elsewhere, condensation can occur as a result of 
changing temperatures and humidity.  The presence of moisture on 
metallic surfaces gives the acid fumes a place to collect and allows 
corrosion to occur.  Improper charging system settings can also cause a 
battery to spew out more acidic fumes.  Different batteries have fume 
caps of varying efficiency.  Zero maintenance batteries probably release 
the smallest amount of acidic fumes.  Neutralizing mats placed under and 
around the battery should help minimize damage.

In the past I've worked in areas where batteries were being charged with 
commercial units and the fumes coming off them were definitely acidic 
(and contained hydrogen, also--sparks or smoking could set off a 
hydrogen fire or explosion).  The hydrogen and oxygen gases evolve from 
the charging process and actually carry small amounts of liquid sulfuric 
acid with them if the vent caps are not very efficient.  The vent caps 
are actually supposed to act as mist traps to catch the acid fumes and 
drain them back into the battery.  Some work better than others.  The 
evolution of hydrogen and oxygen during charging is why batteries need 
to have water added periodically.

Rich Barber

Bob Jasinski wrote:

>Frank,
>
>Corrosion from battery acid (sulfuric acid) is what is causing the problem.
>The fix is to remove the battery, and clean the area by neutralizing the
>affected areas with baking soda or a water and ammonia cleaner.  Wet the
>tray and sprinkle the baking soda on and it will fizzle as it reacts with
>the acid.  Once the fizzling stops, clean the area well. I like to pressure
>wash it, and let it dry.  What I normally do then, is apply a rust
>stabilizer like Permatex RT-8A Rust Treatment.  It dries to a durable black
>finish which you can then topcoat if desired.
>
>There are products similar to the Permatex product available in both
>brush-on and spray, just check with your local hardware store in the paint
>dept.  Also available are neutralizing mats that are placed below the
>battery to neutralize any new acid that collects.  I'm told they work well,
>but have never used one.
>
>Better do it soon to your MGA, I did it to my MGB and it worked well and
>lasted until I sold the car.  Our 300s are less susceptible because the
>battery is easily seen when you look under the hood.  On my MGB, the battery
>was under the rear compartment area...I suspect your MGA's is too.  You got
>to love the British!
>
>Bob J
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Frank Bakanau [mailto:FBAKANAU@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
>Sent: Monday, December 20, 2004 5:00 PM
>To: chrysler
>Subject: [Chrysler300] Creeping Crud
>
>
>
>What is the crud that forms around battery boxes on old cars?? Moby, my
>C-300 isn't suffering, but my 56 MGA got it bad.  On an English car this can
>take out the whole frame!
>
>How do you stop it??
>
>Frank in foggy Newberg OR
>
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