Optima Red-Top Slowly Dying
08-01-2006, 06:09 AM
#1
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Optima Red-Top Slowly Dying
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.
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.
Last edited by mastacox; 08-01-2006 at 06:20 AM.
08-01-2006, 06:45 AM
#2
Registered User
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
08-01-2006, 06:58 AM
#3
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
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
I bought it at Batteries Plus, maybe I'll try finding one and give them a call. Thanks dude
08-01-2006, 08:00 AM
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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!!
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!!
08-01-2006, 08:09 AM
#5
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
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!!
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!!
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.
Trending Topics
08-01-2006, 11:00 AM
#8
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by TNRabbit
ALso, you may be due for a starter contact rebuild (kit from the dealer for $15)...
08-01-2006, 01:24 PM
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ontario, southern CA
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
08-01-2006, 01:28 PM
#10
Contributing Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: NNJ
Posts: 3,950
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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/
08-01-2006, 01:29 PM
#11
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
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.
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...
08-01-2006, 01:54 PM
#12
Registered User
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
Soultion, new red top and something better than a bungee cord!
Lamm
08-01-2006, 02:07 PM
#13
Contributing Member
Thread Starter
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
Soultion, new red top and something better than a bungee cord!
Lamm
Yeah, stupid battery hold down.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
