Was my old 12v battery leaking? 2004 prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Blackwing, Dec 5, 2020.

  1. Blackwing

    Blackwing Member

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    Hi everyone, I attached a few images of what happened inside the battery bay. There is a layer of tan-orange rusty residue.

    Was the battery leaking or is there water somehow getting into the battery bay?

    I bought and installed the battery in the spring of 2012 so its well over eight (8) years old.

    I know it's definitely dead, I forgot to put it on a trickle charger and the alternator just clicks when I put it back on the trickle charger. The check engine light just flashes so I pulled the plug on it because out of fear I would damage the alternator.

    If it's rust and there is water getting in there are there spots I need to start sealing up with clear silicone?
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 Blackwing, Dec 5, 2020
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    the leak is a common leak for Prius of that generation. It's leaking from the roof rails on the left and right side of the car. It's water leaking into the car, not the battery leaking
     
    #2 JC91006, Dec 5, 2020
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  3. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Good call on the 12v battery replacement, eight years is a decent run. The vehicle doesn't have an alternator, so no harm was done.

    There are numerous threads and posts with pictures to help you locate the areas that leak. I was able to visually see the dirty residual water path(s) on the body of the vehicle. You may want to drill a small drain hole in the rubber plug before 12v battery replacement.
     
    #3 SFO, Dec 5, 2020
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  4. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Use the search forums link up top.

    search

    leak
     
    #4 edthefox5, Dec 5, 2020
  5. Blackwing

    Blackwing Member

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    image0.jpg IMG_2146.jpg I just hooked it up to the CTEK trickle charger and it happened to full charge all the way to stage 7. I'll wipe off the rust with vinegar and do more research on how to silicone the leak or drill a drain hole. I suppose the battery is still healthy if CTEK has it holding a charge.
     
    #5 Blackwing, Dec 5, 2020
  6. Blackwing

    Blackwing Member

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    Looks about right to me
     
    #6 Blackwing, Dec 5, 2020
  7. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    I suppose the battery is still healthy if CTEK has it holding a charge.


    I would investigate that a bit more. Tows are not cheap.

    That battery was manufactured 07/20/2011.
     
    #7 TMR-JWAP, Dec 5, 2020
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  8. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    You should be using the AGM setting on the CTEK, as the Yuasa OEM battery is an AGM. It will give it a bit more oomph.
     
    #8 dolj, Dec 6, 2020
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