Pouring Hot Water On Car Battery Terminals

Over filling the battery causes the electrolyte to overflow out of the battery cells.

Pouring hot water on car battery terminals. Dont worry about getting it in the car or on the battery its safe. This is a tecnique weve been using here for years to clean battery terminals. As soon as the water is boiling you take the kettle out to your car and pour the water onto the dent and the surrounding area.

This heat is contained within the battery and will start with the battery bubbling then hissing as the steam escapes the vents then feeling hot to the touch on the battery casing then bulging and finally crackingexplodingcausing a fire. Well if it is not the connections which is it is 75 of the time But you say your battery wires are getting hot that sounds like your starter could be drawing too many amps you might have a bad armature etc so it could be your starter is bad. Be careful around activebattery terminals.

Acids when they are liquid are really a crystalline solid dissolved in water. If you dont have a spray bottle you can also wipe everything down with a damp rag. You pour hot water over the battery and what youre doing is warming up the battery Kirchdorfer said.

To ensure safety turn off the ignition and spray on the hot water on the terminal more like a jet spray. Some of the vapor will be molecules of Sulfuric Acid. Put your gloves on.

The biggest reason a battery terminal or connection would get hot is the connection is loose. The terminals on a lead acid battery can even melt from the heat. Reconnect the battery connecting the positive terminal first then the negative one.

Use an old tooth brush to scrub away the gunk that forms. So wait between times. Use enough for the powder to coat the terminal with a little around the terminal as well.