Battery Corrosion - Ford F250

[duc916]

I have been having a corrosion issue with the batteries on my 2017 F250, factory 2 battery set-up. I have removed the battery terminals and cleaned them, removed all the mounting hardware stripped and repainted, and coated everything with battery corrosion protection spray. 6 months later the mounting hardware is corroded again. Any experience with what could be causing this?

 

[rlitman]

Check the voltages. Could your batteries be overcharged and venting? Or just failing and venting?

Corrosion protection spray helps, but only if you neutralized the acid before spraying. Could that be it?

 

[duc916]

Thanks for the reply. I washed everthing with baking soda/water mix during cleaning process. Is there a better way to neutralize acid?

 

[wayne55]

I've had a battery that was not sealed well at the battery posts and caused all kinds of corrosion. It would seem odd if both of your batteries were leaking though. Be easy when tightening battery cable on terminals.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

If they are leaking and your not overcharging ( likely around the posts ), you can also loose voltage across the top of the battery as it gets dirty/wet, you can actually measure the voltage on the surface of the battery. I share because Ive learned over time most guys that wrench do not know this, its a good reason to keep the batteries clean.

The simple solutions is to buy new batteries.,..

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I had some batteries like this one time. I ended up thoroughly cleaning the connections, hooking them up, and THEN smearing dielectric grease over everything. It looked crappy, but worked. The only way to properly address the issue is get some new batteries.

 

[danski0224]

AGM batteries will fix this issue as long as the charging system is working.

 

[rlitman]

Thanks for the reply. I washed everthing with baking soda/water mix during cleaning process. Is there a better way to neutralize acid?

Baking soda and water are the best for neutralizing acid, but you may want to add a little dish soap to that next time, so it penetrates any surface greases or oils.

I use a can of CRC indicating battery cleaner spray. It turns from yellow to pink where it encounters acid.

I've had a battery that was not sealed well at the battery posts and caused all kinds of corrosion. It would seem odd if both of your batteries were leaking though. Be easy when tightening battery cable on terminals.

That's the beauty of the CRC spray. It gives you a visual indication of where you're seeing acid, so you have a better idea of what's going on.

Today's engine compartments are much more sealed than ones from the past, and acid fumes leaking from a battery can cause all sorts of problems. They start with corroding your terminals, but can easily lead to things as far reaching as head gasket failure.

Basically, if your battery is leaking, replace it!

If they are leaking and your not overcharging ( likely around the posts ), you can also loose voltage across the top of the battery as it gets dirty/wet, you can actually measure the voltage on the surface of the battery. I share because Ive learned over time most guys that wrench do not know this, its a good reason to keep the batteries clean.

The simple solutions is to buy new batteries.,..

YES, you can measure voltage off the surface of a dirty battery that's leaking acid. If you have a clean battery, or an SLA that isn't compromised, then you shouldn't be seeing voltage. AGM batteries are sealed as well, so the same goes for them.

 

[moreover]

Had the same thing on drivers side battery. OEM 2013 Superduty. As mentioned the seal where the post exits the casing was weeping. Had to install a new positive lug.

 

[signcrafter]

Ive seen this a few times on newer ford diesels. I was just talking to ZKdiesel(another forum member that works on these) about this. From what he said this is a problem with the factory batteries venting. Need to replace batteries. He also said that wire harness is stupid expensive so you want to keep from ruining that. If I remember right he said it was billed at 2,000 bucks to replace that battery cable. I'll try and post a picture of one I ran into a couple weeks ago.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have been having a corrosion issue with the batteries on my 2017 F250, factory 2 battery set-up. I have removed the battery terminals and cleaned them, removed all the mounting hardware stripped and repainted, and coated everything with battery corrosion protection spray. 6 months later the mounting hardware is corroded again. Any experience with what could be causing this?

My guess is you have leak around one of the battery post that is letting out fumes when it charges.

Clean everything again with baking soda and water. Rinse well. Blow drive. Remove each cable connection one at a time and place a big glob of grease (petroleum jelly works well) over the battery post and down on to the battery case. Now re-install the battery cable end and apply more grease.

More is better !

 

[Jlarson]

I just looked at a 18' F550 for the same sort of complaint, doing that exact thing, need to loose the OE batteries and probably do some cable repair, lot of cleaning too. I see it on a lot of superduties.

 

[Radio Flyer]

I just looked at a 18' F550 for the same sort of complaint, doing that exact thing, need to loose the OE batteries and probably do some cable repair, lot of cleaning too. I see it on a lot of superduties.

I see it a lot on F450's (ambulance chassis). I think that the under hood heat boils some of the acid out causing a lot of the corrosion issues on them. It's a constant battle.

 

[duc916]

Thank you for all the feedback.

 

[ttpete]

If you go to AGM (absorbed glass mat) sealed batteries, you'll never have a corrosion problem again. They're more expensive, but they last a lot longer. I get an average of 10 years of service with them. They hold a charge longer and I've never had a sulfation problem.

 

[Ms6peters]

Best to switch to AGM batteries. The integrated Ford clamp/cables are pricey to replace.
Swapped my 2020 dual batteries at 3 months.

 

[zkdiesel]

Throw the batteries away

It’s a 2200 battery cable replacmement