Rain water in engine bay around battery - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

rm4g3d0n · 10-06-2022, 10:28 AM

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!

Tcoat · 10-06-2022, 10:34 AM

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.

rm4g3d0n · 10-06-2022, 10:41 AM

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.

NoHaveMSG · 10-06-2022, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rm4g3d0n

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.

https://www.amazon.com/CRC-Battery-T...%3D%3D&sr=8-12

rm4g3d0n · 10-06-2022, 11:38 AM

Ah thanks for the suggestion @NoHaveMSG

Tcoat · 10-06-2022, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rm4g3d0n

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.

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

NoHaveMSG · 10-06-2022, 01:18 PM

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.

soundman98 · 10-06-2022, 10:20 PM

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

Tcoat · 10-07-2022, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundman98

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.

Ultramaroon · 10-08-2022, 02:07 AM

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.

soundman98 · 10-08-2022, 01:23 PM

pick a winner!

10-06-2022, 10:28 AM	#1
rm4g3d0n Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Drives: BRZ 14 Location: USA Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	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!

10-06-2022, 10:34 AM	#2
Tcoat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Drives: 2020 Hakone Location: London, Ont Posts: 69,838 Thanks: 61,656 Thanked 108,295 Times in 46,456 Posts Mentioned: 2499 Post(s)	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. __________________ Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar, because Racecar.

10-06-2022, 01:18 PM	#7
NoHaveMSG Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Drives: Crapcan Location: Oregon Posts: 11,612 Thanks: 18,894 Thanked 16,899 Times in 7,691 Posts Mentioned: 112 Post(s)	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. __________________ "Experience is the hardest kind of teacher. It gives you the test first and the lesson afterward." -Oscar Wilde.

10-06-2022, 10:20 PM	#8
soundman98 ProCrastinationConsultant Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: '14 Ranger, '18 Tacoma 4Dr LB Location: chicago-ish Posts: 11,327 Thanks: 35,240 Thanked 13,677 Times in 6,782 Posts Mentioned: 98 Post(s)	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 __________________ "The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time"

10-08-2022, 02:07 AM	#10
Ultramaroon not playing cards Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: a 13 e8h frs Location: vantucky, wa Posts: 32,394 Thanks: 53,054 Thanked 37,230 Times in 19,309 Posts Mentioned: 1118 Post(s)	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. __________________ service manuals

10-06-2022, 10:41 AM	#3
rm4g3d0n Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Drives: BRZ 14 Location: USA Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	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.

10-06-2022, 11:38 AM	#5
rm4g3d0n Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Drives: BRZ 14 Location: USA Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s)	Ah thanks for the suggestion @NoHaveMSG

10-08-2022, 01:23 PM	#11
soundman98 ProCrastinationConsultant Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: '14 Ranger, '18 Tacoma 4Dr LB Location: chicago-ish Posts: 11,327 Thanks: 35,240 Thanked 13,677 Times in 6,782 Posts Mentioned: 98 Post(s)	pick a winner! __________________ "The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time"

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