golfboy

I've owned my 97 E320 for a few months now. Left the lights on last night and killed the battery. Pulled the rear seat to charge the battery (which was replaced before I purchased the car) and saw that the floor under the battery has been spilled on and most of the paint has bubbled away.

What would you guys do? I'm going to create a baking soda paste and neutralize whatever acid remains - after that, wash it out well and just repaint to protect the metal, or is there more I should do?

E-Klasse

If the person who replaced the battery did not install the vent tube correctly, you will get a lot of acid damage around the battery and under the seat. Make sure it has a tube going out the hole in the floor next to the battery.

golfboy

I didn't see that hole when I pulled the battery, is the tube attached to anything, or just an open tube for fresh air?

LukeM

The battery has a hole on the top side the same size as the hole in the floor board for venting battery acid and vapors with the plastic tube. Make sure you make that connection. Baking soda with mixed with water 50/50 will work fine for clean up. (as will coca-cola or any cabonated soft drink)

Happy Motoring

golfboy

Thanks guys. The tube is there, it goes out through the floor, but I don't think it was connected to the battery. I pulled the battery out of the car to do the baking soda thing, I'll replace it when I reinstall the battery - I wouldn't have known to do that.

thanks for the info!