Toyota LIES!

[bronsin]

I have caught Toyota in a shameless, bald faced LIE!

LIE I TELL YOU!!!

The battery in my 09 Yaris is NOT maintenance free!

You can get the caps out!

They are covered by a piece of plastic.

The plastic can be removed and you can now fill the battery!

And mine was low!

See pics!

[CTScott]

Looking at the top of your battery in the first picture, it was low because it boiled. If a battery gets runs down too low and then charged too fast, it will boil the electrolyte. When it does, it vents the steam to avoid rupturing. Once that occurs, the electrolyte level will be low.

This type of battery is intended to be maintenance free with proper use. I have seen the same thing happen with high end sealed gel cell and glass mat batteries (of which you can't open without doing damage). With them when over charged, the case actually bulges on the sides before they vent.

[bronsin]

Geez how do you know it boiled?

Only one cell was low actually. It took just a few oz of water.

I drive the car every day about 6 miles to and from work.

Although I just drove it 10,400 miles to Alsaka and back in 16 days.

[CTScott]

Geez how do you know it boiled?

Only one cell was low actually. It took just a few oz of water.

I drive the car every day about 6 miles to and from work.

Although I just drove it 10,400 miles to Alsaka and back in 16 days.


The staining in the top picture is indicative of boiling over.

The long days of driving are probably what did it. Rather than being run too low, you were constantly charging it for long periods of time. Since the Yaris doesn't have a charge controller, if it is run with little load for long periods, the battery is constantly charged at the full output voltage of the alternator's voltage regulator.

[Lewis]

........and when it boils over it can cause big time rust in the battery tray as happened to me on an old 1972 porsche 914 (with a bad voltage regulator).

the acidity of the boilover really does a job on anything it comes in contact with so I would remove the battery and scrub it out thoroughly with some borax solution asap Bronsin.

[bronsin]

Wow that sounds like a big problem. I mean the running for long periods at full charge.

[bronsin]

Battery location is clean and dry. I just had it out to scout for the block heater hole.

But that fuzzy white suff had a way og growing on everything in spite of that sometimes...

[mazilla]

. Since the Yaris doesn't have a charge controller, if it is run with little load for long periods, the battery is constantly charged at the full output voltage of the alternator's voltage regulator.


Is this something I can add myself? I've noticed my yellow top battery is usually at 15.5-16.5V now with the rewound alternator. I usually drive 3-6 hours a day when working...I can't imagine that's good for the battery.

[sickpuppy1]

So see, you need a big honkin sound system with subs, for those long trips to keep a load on the battery. It will prevent overcharging and boil over. Thats MY story and I'm stickin to it! LOL

[mazilla]

So see, you need a big honkin sound system with subs, for those long trips to keep a load on the battery. It will prevent overcharging and boil over. Thats MY story and I'm stickin to it! LOL


I have that already... :thumbsup:

[yarisugi]

Every day I learn something new from CTScott. Thanks. :)

[CTScott]

Reading a little more on the Yaris alternator, it looks like the voltage regulator within it is designed to prevent overcharging. You might want to clean the battery terminals to ensure that they are making good connection. If one is loose or oxidized it will cause a voltage drop, which will cause the regulator to think that the battery is not fully charged.

[BLH]

Many years ago. On my Escort. The level was low and I didn't catch it.
One day the current from the starter arced across the partially bare plates.
Yes it exploded the gasses and electrolyte sprayed all over the place.
Takes paint off real nicely.