Battery leaking

Sheepdish1

Hi, own Mercedes 2005. Went to start car at 6.30am and the engine wouldn’t turn on got jump leads hoping the cold weather affected battery but there is fluid coming from battery.

Is this a big job? Can I replace battery myself or do I need to tow car to garage.

Thanks

CorkCBR6

Sheepdish1 wrote: »

Hi, own Mercedes 2005. Went to start car at 6.30am and the engine wouldn’t turn on got jump leads hoping the cold weather affected battery but there is fluid coming from battery.

Is this a big job? Can I replace battery myself or do I need to tow car to garage.

Thanks

Changing a battery is probably the easiest bit of maintenance you can do on a car! Yes you can do it yourself.

Go to Halfords or wherever and buy a new battery. You will probably need to charge it for a few hours.

Disconnect negative first when taking out the battery. Remove the old battery and slot in the new and charged battery. Fit positive back first.

punisher5112

If you are worried many motor factors or even like of tyre places will change or mechanic of course.

If you have the right tools it's very simple.

Autocare are great but obviously depending where you are.

Del2005

Sheepdish1 wrote: »

Hi, own Mercedes 2005. Went to start car at 6.30am and the engine wouldn’t turn on got jump leads hoping the cold weather affected battery but there is fluid coming from battery.

Is this a big job? Can I replace battery myself or do I need to tow car to garage.

Thanks

If there's liquid on the battery wear chemical gloves when removing it, it's acid. Make sure you rinse well the area below the battery when you take it out, the acid so will damage your car is left long.

Isambard

if you aren't sure, get someone to fit it as the polarity is important. You can cause damage if you get it wrong.

A local motor factor may fit it free or Halfords will do it for a small fee.

CJhaughey

I would use some baking soda as well, sprinkled liberally over where the acid was leaking, Baking soda is an alkali and will neutralise the acid, there is probably still acid in the area even after rinsing, and that will eat metal in no time.

Sheepdish1

Isambard wrote: »

if you aren't sure, get someone to fit it as the polarity is important. You can cause damage if you get it wrong.

A local motor factor may fit it free or Halfords will do it for a small fee.

I will do this as I don't want to cause any damage especially if it is an easy job to fix!

ohnonotgmail

Isambard wrote: »

if you aren't sure, get someone to fit it as the polarity is important. You can cause damage if you get it wrong.

A local motor factor may fit it free or Halfords will do it for a small fee.

Halfords charge 18 euro to fit a battery.

punisher5112

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

Halfords charge 18 euro to fit a battery.

Wow.... That's a lot.

Isambard

punisher5112 wrote: »

Wow.... That's a lot.

not really, could take them 20 minutes , so comparable to garage charges.