Rain water in engine bay around battery
 

Hi, I have a 2014 BRZ and after it rained, I opened up the engine bay and noticed that there was water around the battery. I noticed that water was getting in through a gap on the passenger side hood, towards the rear of the hood. Is this normal? How can I mitigate this? Thanks!

https://i.imgur.com/3vmfQM5.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/WtZXDIb.jpeg

Don't worry about it. It is designed to let the water drain down through there and blocking up is just going to force water where it shouldn't be. Every time you drive in the rain there is far, far more water coming in the grill than you will ever see there.

Okay, thanks for the reassurance. I just wasn't sure if it was a bigger issue since it was around the battery terminal. The negative terminal rusted a lot, and was wondering why it was rusting so quickly despite having a new clamp and battery (just bought last year). It even affected it to the point where it wasn't receiving any current at one point on the negative side and had to clean it.

Ah thanks for the suggestion @NoHaveMSG

Because of the electrical charge even the humidity in the air will oxidize battery terminals.

I use the spray all the time since I have a few different vehicles so some of them sit. On the car I have a ducted hood so I will use it on several connections to keep the corrosion off.

all of my vehicles get a set of the felt rings, and a healthy coating of the included grease over the terminals.

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Insta...s%2C128&sr=8-6

Funny thing is that my boat battery that sits in a plastic container that is usually filled with water to just below the top of the battery has never even a spec of corrosion. Not sure how the water even manages to get in there but is is full all summer no matter how much I drain it out. Every year I think I should coat the terminal but then never actually do it. Since I have never had a single start issue I will just leave well enough alone at this point.

https://assets.cabelas.ca/image/uplo.../221606-236399

The secret to keeping battery terminals from corroding is to be careful to not ever tweak them. The seal between terminal and case is weak. Lead is so ductile that any twist or bending moment will distort the joint and compromise the seal.


Next time you're in an auto parts store, walk along the battery shelf and notice how some of them already have leaky, crusty terminals. Avoid those like the plague. Pick a good battery. Be gentle when tightening the clamps. Support the connector against the torque applied by the wrench. Do this and your battery terminals will never corrode. I'll take pics of four batteries I've had in service for many years. All of them remain perfectly clean.

pick a winner!