Optima Red-Top Slowly Dying

mastacox · 08-01-2006, 07:09 AM

Arg, so my 4Runner had been having some VERY slow cranking starts, it's literally getting worse by the day. Tomorrow, I fear I will not be able to crank the engine over so its time to get a standard replacement batt at Autozone.

I have an Optima Red-Top 34R but a few months ago it slipped out of the battery hold-down and ground against the power steering pulley, making a small hole in the case at the bottom (those Optimas are slippery little bastards). Everything seemed to be working fine, but now the battery can't seem to hold much of a charge overnight, and I'm guessing this hole is to blame (nothing really leaked out of the battery, it just has some acid build-up on the hole like you would see on the poles with a standard acid battery.) Probably some gases slowly escaping, making it hold less charge each day. In retrospect, I should have JB-Welded the hole shut... damn 20-20 hindsight.

I know what you're thinking, and yes my alternator is working fine. I have an MR2 alternator and an aftermarket digital voltage gauge, it cranks out 14.4V at anything over 750 rpm.

Anyway, this is more of a rant than a thread asking for advice, and I would buy another Optima since they are great batteries but I'm selling my 2nd gen in about 2 months so no need to buy a REALLY nice battery for the 4Runner. Just thought I'd let you guys know, crank that Optima down or it could be damaged by your pulleys (or visa-versa)

In retrospect, any stadard battery would have leaked all of its acid out and stopped working on the spot, so really the Optima held up admirably.

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1styota4X4 · 08-01-2006, 07:45 AM

It should be under warranty 3 year free replacement...where ever you bought....if its autozone just rant and rave enough and they should replace it its there policy

mastacox · 08-01-2006, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1styota4X4

It should be under warranty 3 year free replacement...where ever you bought....if its autozone just rant and rave enough and they should replace it its there policy

My guess, the pulley damage voids the warrantee... but I suppose it's worth a shot for a $120 battery...

I bought it at Batteries Plus, maybe I'll try finding one and give them a call. Thanks dude

97Limited · 08-01-2006, 09:00 AM

Is your Red Top a Deep-Cycle/Starting Battery???

Because I have a Yellow-Top in my 4Runner and its a battery designed for Starting as well as deep-cycle!! But A battery will take a good 2 hour drive to fully charge up after a discharge like that!!

mastacox · 08-01-2006, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97Limited

Is your Red Top a Deep-Cycle/Starting Battery???

Because I have a Yellow-Top in my 4Runner and its a battery designed for Starting as well as deep-cycle!! But A battery will take a good 2 hour drive to fully charge up after a discharge like that!!

I purposely took an hour and a half drive to see if it just needed a good charge, but the next morning the engine barely cranked over. Usually, it cranks quickly and starts in about 1 second. This morning, I turned over SUPER slow and took maybe 5 seconds to start. Once the engine is running everything is fine baceuse the alternator keeps everything happy.

Red-Tops are not deep cycle, to answer your question. Also strange, is if I have been driving around for a little bit and turn the car off, it will start rioght back up. But if it sits for a few hours it seems the battery begins to lose its charge, and after a whole night it barely has enough juice to start the car. This morning the battery registered 11.1 volts before I started it, but the previous evening it had 12.4 volts. I also have checked to see if there are any lights on or anything that might be discharging the battery, and nothing has been left on.

It's just finally giving out I think, barely holding any charge. I'm going to buy a cheapy $60-70 battery, and then see if I can get the Optima warranteed, which like I said I doubt because it has been damaged.

mastacox · 08-01-2006, 09:10 AM

I also checked the cables and connections, everything is spick-n-span.

TNRabbit · 08-01-2006, 10:29 AM

ALso, you may be due for a starter contact rebuild (kit from the dealer for $15)...

mastacox · 08-01-2006, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNRabbit

ALso, you may be due for a starter contact rebuild (kit from the dealer for $15)...

Nah, I got a new starter about 5000 miles ago. 1.6KW unit from Checker, works great.

Mikestang · 08-01-2006, 02:24 PM

I burned through 2 red tops in my mustang. Once they lose their charge they're dead. I'll never own another red top. I'm going to try a yellow top in both the stang and the 4R.

4-RUNNIN' FREAK · 08-01-2006, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikestang

I burned through 2 red tops in my mustang. Once they lose their charge they're dead. I'll never own another red top. I'm going to try a yellow top in both the stang and the 4R.

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/

mastacox · 08-01-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikestang

I burned through 2 red tops in my mustang. Once they lose their charge they're dead. I'll never own another red top. I'm going to try a yellow top in both the stang and the 4R.

Yeah, that's what I'm kind of thinking... but I love the extra side poles for accessories

I'm thinking about doing a dual battery set-up on my new 4Runner, perhaps dual yellow-tops. We will see, that's farther down the road...

4x4Lamm · 08-01-2006, 02:54 PM

Wow, same EXACT thing happend to my 92 4Runner with a red top. A few months after the damage it started sucking, I had it tested, 1 out of the 6 cells was dead.

Soultion, new red top and something better than a bungee cord!

Lamm

mastacox · 08-01-2006, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4Lamm

Wow, same EXACT thing happend to my 92 4Runner with a red top. A few months after the damage it started sucking, I had it tested, 1 out of the 6 cells was dead.

Soultion, new red top and something better than a bungee cord!

Lamm

Ha ha! I'm not alone!

Yeah, stupid battery hold down.

08-01-2006, 07:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
1styota4X4 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 571	It should be under warranty 3 year free replacement...where ever you bought....if its autozone just rant and rave enough and they should replace it its there policy __________________ NEW* 1985 lifted locked dual cases bumpers and sliders now my daily! 1985 Stock Had to do head gasket and some other minor things left. 1983 Hilux 4X4 SR5 4 Sale 3" Rough Country Lift 32" Goodyear Wranglers. Custom bumpers being made!! 1995 4Runner 4X4 V6 SR5***TRADED

08-01-2006, 09:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
97Limited Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 541	Is your Red Top a Deep-Cycle/Starting Battery??? Because I have a Yellow-Top in my 4Runner and its a battery designed for Starting as well as deep-cycle!! But A battery will take a good 2 hour drive to fully charge up after a discharge like that!! __________________ 1997 4Runner Limited; 3.4L 4WD; Rear E-Locker; OEM/Sonoran Steel 3.5" Lift; ARB Tacoma BullBar w/ 525 PIAA Dual-Beam Lights; Alpine/JL Audio; CompuStar; TRD Headers w/ Magnaflow custom dual exhaust; 305/70 XTerrains on Blacked-out A/R wheels; Tundra Brakes; 4" Deckplate mod w/ TRD filter; ISR mod; Yellow Top Optima w/ custom tie down; Custom grille inserts; JDM Black headlights w/ 6000k HID's; Extended diff breathers PICS> ::97 4Runner Site::

08-01-2006, 09:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
mastacox Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Los Alamos, NM Posts: 2,650	I also checked the cables and connections, everything is spick-n-span. __________________ Brian 1998 4Runner SR5

08-01-2006, 02:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mikestang Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ontario, southern CA Posts: 278	I burned through 2 red tops in my mustang. Once they lose their charge they're dead. I'll never own another red top. I'm going to try a yellow top in both the stang and the 4R. __________________ '04 SR5 4Runner v8 4x4 Magnaflow cat-back, rear diff breather mod, Surco rack, 265/75/16 Goodyear SA, Midland 75-822, Wilson 5000, Shrockworks bumper, PIAA 510s/580s, Scion T1806 w/iPod, Demello sliders, DR COs UCAs monotubes, Deaver coils, Pro Comp alloys, Slee SS lines, Garmin 276c, Optima yellow top, BudBuilt skids, 2wd sway, WabFab links, KurtFab LCAs www.mikestang.com

08-01-2006, 02:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
4x4Lamm Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 2,573	Wow, same EXACT thing happend to my 92 4Runner with a red top. A few months after the damage it started sucking, I had it tested, 1 out of the 6 cells was dead. Soultion, new red top and something better than a bungee cord! Lamm __________________ -1992 4Runner SR5, Destroyed by fire. Lots of mods. I will miss it. -1995 4Runner SR5 Limited, Also known as the money pit. Becoming a trail rig now. -2004 Tacoma SR5 TRD, My new daily driver. I love this truck!

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