[sarcasm on] So... my truck has sounded like it's had a hard time turning over lately - but I have a new battery.

So this morning, it won't start. Could it be because it slid over to the right and a pulley ground a hole in the side? I mean it's just a wild guess [sarcasm off].

Great

 

i know that one. nothing like the smell of burning battery acid

 

I fixed it for you!

 

Ha thanks. Funny thing is I don't think any acid came out. Looks like just electrolyte from the right side. Truck still won't turn over though. Gonna have to jump it.

 

Electrolyte is acid. The vapors are very flammable. Please be very careful when trying to jump start. Make sure there is plenty of ventilation and wear eye protection at the very least.

 

don't forget to hose off the engine and inner fenders the first chance you get - battery acid will eat through the paint to bare metal

oh yeah, and get a battery hold down

 

yea get a real battery hold down not a bungee cord

 

x2 yes get a real battery holder not rubber that can stretch

 

and considering a battery has 6 cells at approximately 2.4 volts each (when fully charged) -14.4 volts average... having only 12 volts and losing 1/6 of your cranking amperage is a pretty big hit on the system. Then when you consider when the engine starts, the alternator is going to be bringing the battery voltage back up to ~14, which is normal for 6 cells, but overcharges 5 cells... well, you can imagine that the battery isn't going to last very long.

 

I'm pretty sure it drained two separate cells... that's quite possibly the reason it won't start.