VETTE2k

So I took the C5 out after winter today.


My 1 year old Optima Red Top was dead and I had to jump start the car.

I drove about 120 miles - 60 miles to the Tri Cities and 60 miles back.

When i got to the Tri Cities, I started smelling this sulfer smell, and I couldn't figure out what it was.

So I get home and everytime I would slow down, I would get a wiff of sulfer.

So I pulled into the garage and shut the car off, and I could hear this hissing sound.

I opened the hood and the Optima Battery was basically shooting sulfer steam out of the top of the battery.

WTF, anybody ever have a Gel Cell battery fail like this?

I quickly ripped the battery out of the car, and it looks like there was no fluid under the battery, it just steamed out this awful sulfer smelling steam.

I touched the battery and it was very hot, so it is cooling down outside right now.

This is the second gel cell battery that has failed in the last 3 years in my car.

0EG@EnglandGreen

Sorry, no that has not happened to mine. They are guaranteed for 6 years so you should get a free replacement, if that helps.

EG

Stock Man

Wow!! I hope it didn't stain anything under the hood. I wonder if your alternator is functioning properly. But a new battery is in order for sure. Keep us posted for sure. This is the first I have heard of an Optima blowing up.

Vetteran

Second gel in three years.... hmmmm. Hope you discover the cause.

WolfeBros

Sounds like your alternator is overcharging the battery or it is possible that the battery had an internal short. At any rate get it checked before you drive very far with a new one.

redcorvette1995

I would think your regulator is gone.
The battery is gassing, which indicates an excessive voltage or rate of charge. Almost certainly voltage in a car.

Automag928

Curious what your volts was registering in the car... Do you remember by chance?

AdamC5

Would like to hear more on this

Rob'sC5

RainJ

VETTE2k

My voltage meter was over past 13, not centered like it normally is the whole time.

I just thought it was charging the battery up.

I think I will take it to the dealership and see what is going on with the alternator.

The first gell cell went bad because it sat all winter and when I went to drive it, it wouldn't hold a charge.

So I bought a new Red Top last spring, and everything was fine last summer. Then it sat for 6 months, and this happened today when I took it out for the first time.

Fox

Same exact scenario happened to me a year ago. Optima replaced the battery, but I get the feeling that it is a more common problem than most people think.

VETTE2k

So yours did the same thing....
did you just put a new battery in it and everything was ok after that?

This is the second gell cell battery that has blown up after sitting in my car over the winter time, this is two years in a row.

Last year I put this battery in, and ran the car for months before storing it for winter, and now again this spring the battery has failed...maybe my car is cursed.

Cochemarman

13 volts is if anything a bit on the low side. My Exide Maxxima needs 14.2v +/- 0.2v to charge.

Good luck with finding out what caused this.

Lancer033

my Delco was always between 13-13.5V and my Optima is always in the low 14s.

Good luck with getting it fixed. This is the 1st time I've heard of a problem with an Optima.

VETTE2k

On the way home I looked at the DIC and it said the battery voltage was 13.9 volts.


My dad and I were discussing the battery issue and I was checking to see what the voltage was. I figured it was still charging because the battery was normally over 14 volts.

screw991le

That sucks.

I get 14.3 on my Interstate megaton battery, first startup to shut down.

MaverickC5

I had this problem. While I was trying to figure out what was wrong I had the hood open. Started the car while in my garage. The gassing of the battery had built up pressure and turning the key cause more shorting and hence more gas. The battery exploded. Plastic pieces from the top of the battery were impailed in my garge ceiling. I called the dealer they arranged a flat bed tow. Replaced the battery with a new Delco ( Glass mat ) and washed and waxed the car all at no charge. I have to belive this is more common than we think based on the attention I recived. I was just happy the hood happened to be open when it blew up. Now I need to fix the cieling... yuck!

DeeGee

Thats a first!

Thanks for posting.

Vetteman Jack

Glad you caught it when you did. Hope you find out why two batteries have had problems in a short period of time.