# Battery terminal corrosion problem

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-terminal-corrosion-problem/6927>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** batteries\
**Created:** [November 6, 2007, 12:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-terminal-corrosion-problem/6927 "2007-11-06T12:15:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Brooklynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Brooklynn](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Brooklynn)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2007, 12:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-terminal-corrosion-problem/6927/1 "2007-11-06T12:15:00Z")

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I noticed corrosion all over one of my battery terminals so I replaced the entire terminal and cleaned it all pretty but within 3 weeks it’s already starting to corrode again. What’s causing that?

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2007, 1:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-terminal-corrosion-problem/6927/2 "2007-11-06T13:06:00Z")

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Check for a leak/crack around that battery post.

Tester

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**Author:** ![JTAMETHYST](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2acd7d/32.png) [@JTAMETHYST](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JTAMETHYST)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2007, 4:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-terminal-corrosion-problem/6927/3 "2007-11-06T16:37:20Z")

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If there’s leak/crack as Tester mentioned, try sealing it with asphalt (after cleaning/washing off the corrosion), and smearing grease on the terminals & posts. I learned them from my father.

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**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2007, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-terminal-corrosion-problem/6927/4 "2007-11-06T16:52:58Z")

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Sounds like the seal around the post has failed, a common battery problem. When clean and dry, re-seal the post with automotive silicone (RTV), a small bead between the case and post. Then use a pair of “anti-corrosion” felt washers help isolate the connector from the fumes/acid. That’s about all you can do. Use baking soda to clean your new connector…

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**Author:** ![Beadsandbeads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Beadsandbeads](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beadsandbeads)\
**Post date:** [November 6, 2007, 7:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/battery-terminal-corrosion-problem/6927/5 "2007-11-06T19:19:58Z")

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If it has a leak at the post the battery company should prorate a replacement or just replace it.