Attention! Precautions must be observed when checking and servicing the battery. Battery cells always contain hydrogen gas, which is highly flammable, so do not approach the battery with a lit cigarette or bring any other source of open flame or sparks near it. The electrolyte inside the battery is dilute sulfuric acid, which can cause injury if it comes into contact with the skin or eyes. The electrolyte also causes damage to clothing and paintwork. When removing battery wires, always disconnect the ground wire first and connect it last!
Service
1. Routine battery maintenance is the only way to ensure a fast and reliable engine start. But before doing any battery maintenance, make sure you have the proper equipment necessary to work safely around the battery (pic. 7.1).
Pic. 7.1. Tools, fixtures and materials for battery maintenance
1. Protective goggles/face shield - When removing corrosion with a brush, acid particles can easily get into the eye
2. Sodium bicarbonate - sodium bicarbonate solution (soda) can be used to neutralize corrosion
3. Vaseline Applying Vaseline to the battery terminals can prevent corrosion
4. Battery Terminal/Wire Cleaner - This wire brush removes all traces of corrosion from battery terminals and wire clamps
5. Specially treated felt pads - Placing these pads on the terminals directly below the wire clamps can help prevent corrosion
6. Puller - Sometimes the wire clamps are very difficult to remove from the terminals even after the nut/bolt is completely loosened. This tool pulls the clamp straight up and off the terminal without damage
7. Battery terminal/wire cleaner - this cleaner is slightly different from the tool described above (see pos. 4), but it performs the same functions
8. Rubber gloves are another safety device that should be used when servicing the battery; remember that there is acid inside the battery
2. In addition, there are a few precautions that must be followed when servicing the battery. Before servicing the battery, be sure to turn off the engine and all electrical consumers and disconnect the ground wire from the negative battery terminal.
3. The battery emits hydrogen gas, which is both flammable and explosive. Avoid sparking, smoking or lighting matches near the battery. The battery should be charged in a ventilated area.
4. The electrolyte contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid. Avoid contact with eyes, skin or clothing. Don't let it get inside. Use protective goggles when working near the battery. Keep children away from the battery.
5. Check the external condition of the battery. If the positive terminal and wire clamp have a rubber protective cover, check that it is not torn or otherwise damaged. It should completely cover the terminal. Inspect the battery for any signs of corrosion, loose fastening, cracks in the case or cover, or loose bolts holding the clamps. Also check each wire along its entire length for cracks and other defects.
6. If there is corrosion that looks like white fluffy deposits (pic. 7.6,a), especially around the clamps, the battery should be removed for cleaning. Loosen the bolts of the wire clamps with a wrench, remembering to remove the ground wire first, and remove them from the terminals (pic. 7.6b). Then unscrew the bolt and nut of the retaining clip, remove the clip and remove the battery from the engine compartment.
Pic. 7.6, a. Corrosion on battery terminals usually appears as a light, fluffy, powdery coating
Pic. 7.6b. Release the wire clamp on the battery terminal with a wrench. Sometimes, to perform this procedure, if corrosion has caused deterioration of the nut faces, special battery pliers should be used (disconnect the ground wire first (-), and connect it last!)
7. Thoroughly clean the wire terminals with a brush or terminal cleaner and a solution of warm water and sodium bicarbonate (soda) (pic. 7.7,a). Wash the terminals and the top surface of the battery case with the same solution, but make sure that the solution does not get into the battery.
Ryas. 7.7, a. When cleaning the wire clamps, all traces of corrosion must be removed (The inside diameter of the clamp is tapered to fit the body on the terminal, so don't remove too much material)
When cleaning wires, terminals, and the top surface of the battery, wear safety glasses and rubber gloves to prevent the solution from getting into your eyes or on your skin. Also, wear special or old clothing, as even dilute sulfuric acid will burn holes in your clothing if it enters. If the terminals are heavily corroded, clean them with a terminal cleaner (pic. 7.7b). Thoroughly rinse all cleaned areas with plain water.
Pic. 7.7.6. As a result, we clean the battery terminals, you should get a shiny surface
8. Make sure the battery shelf is in good condition and the retaining clip bolts are tight. If the battery is removed from the shelf, make sure there are no foreign objects on the shelf before installing the battery. When installing the retaining clip bolts, do not overtighten them.
9. All metal parts of the car that are exposed to corrosion should be coated with a zinc-based primer and then painted.
10. Information on removing and installing the battery can be found in chapter 5. Information about starting the engine from an external source is given at the beginning of this Guides.