Discussion
Had a bit of trouble a few months ago when the negative strap broke on the battery thanks to the halfwit previous owner replacing with a Bosch wet battery, the clamps didn't fit.
AA bloke clamped it up and advised changing for one the proper size.
Have been waiting until we have a garage so I can leave the old one on charge so as not to waste it.
Anyway, not driven it for a few weeks and was poking around it today - have swept a lot of dusty stuff out of the boot in the past (presumably the acid not being able to vent from the wet battery).
However, there's loads and loads of it, and there's a lot of rust
Have had a quick poke and the metal seems solid, so a WestCo battery is on order from MX5parts and I'll get started with a wirebrush and some hammerite tomorrow 
So, if you don't have the little venting thing connected up in your boot or if you have a wet battery, get it sorted before it turns into this:
(somebody on the mx5scotland site)
AA bloke clamped it up and advised changing for one the proper size.
Have been waiting until we have a garage so I can leave the old one on charge so as not to waste it.
Anyway, not driven it for a few weeks and was poking around it today - have swept a lot of dusty stuff out of the boot in the past (presumably the acid not being able to vent from the wet battery).
However, there's loads and loads of it, and there's a lot of rust
Have had a quick poke and the metal seems solid, so a WestCo battery is on order from MX5parts and I'll get started with a wirebrush and some hammerite tomorrow So, if you don't have the little venting thing connected up in your boot or if you have a wet battery, get it sorted before it turns into this:
(somebody on the mx5scotland site)
Well, not as bad as above thank goodness!
Just surface rust, but a lot of powdery residue from battery emissions...
After attacking with a wire brush:
And hoovered & wiped down with a damp cloth...
A liberal coating of Kurust:
Then a coat of Hammerite Anti-rust:
Just waiting for it to dry before another coat!
Just surface rust, but a lot of powdery residue from battery emissions...
After attacking with a wire brush:
And hoovered & wiped down with a damp cloth...
A liberal coating of Kurust:
Then a coat of Hammerite Anti-rust:
Just waiting for it to dry before another coat!
its nice and shiney now New Westco battery turned up from MX5parts this morning - it has two nipples presumably for venting, but didn't come with any piping.
a) should it have?
b) how should I connect it up?
I have some silicone hosing that I could connect up to one nipple which presumably goes to the plastic nipple near the light cluster, but the other battery connection will be unconnected. Will that still leak fumes into the boot?
a) should it have?
b) how should I connect it up?
I have some silicone hosing that I could connect up to one nipple which presumably goes to the plastic nipple near the light cluster, but the other battery connection will be unconnected. Will that still leak fumes into the boot?
The battery doesn't come with vent-tubes, they should be on the car. I guess someone lost yours when they replaced the original battery with the lead/acid jobbie.
You should be 2 vents on the battery, one on each side. Connect these together using a t-piece and vent using the nipple near the rear lights. You should be able to get a t-piece and tubing from halfrauds - the stuff made for the washer jets should be fine.
Leaving it venting to the boot probably isn't a problem though as the Westco battery is sealed - that's why they can send it by post. However, I'd do it anyway just for peace of mind.
You should be 2 vents on the battery, one on each side. Connect these together using a t-piece and vent using the nipple near the rear lights. You should be able to get a t-piece and tubing from halfrauds - the stuff made for the washer jets should be fine.
Leaving it venting to the boot probably isn't a problem though as the Westco battery is sealed - that's why they can send it by post. However, I'd do it anyway just for peace of mind.
Thanks will do.
Of course, I am hamstrung by the weather... I want to turn the car round so I can work in the shelter of the half-garage we have (don't ask!). Hammerite still tacky so can't put battery back in place. Won't start using jump leads to extend the cables. Can't jumpstart it off one of the other cars as I am using the jumpleads already!
Cup of tea, then go out with Mrs.NCoT's hairdryer to finish the hammerite off...
Of course, I am hamstrung by the weather... I want to turn the car round so I can work in the shelter of the half-garage we have (don't ask!). Hammerite still tacky so can't put battery back in place. Won't start using jump leads to extend the cables. Can't jumpstart it off one of the other cars as I am using the jumpleads already!
Cup of tea, then go out with Mrs.NCoT's hairdryer to finish the hammerite off...
NiceCupOfTea said:
Of course, I am hamstrung by the weather... I want to turn the car round so I can work in the shelter of the half-garage we have (don't ask!). Hammerite still tacky so can't put battery back in place. Won't start using jump leads to extend the cables. Can't jumpstart it off one of the other cars as I am using the jumpleads already!
Ahh, just push it!My drive is on a hill!
Just did a 3rd coat of primer. Looks like I slopped on the hammerite too thick with the brush it's going to be a pretty crap finish, ah well, at least my first attempt at spray painting was inside the boot under the carpet 
Hopefully will get is sanded back and a couple of coats of Saab black tomorrow (only aerosol of black I have
)
Just did a 3rd coat of primer. Looks like I slopped on the hammerite too thick with the brush
it's going to be a pretty crap finish, ah well, at least my first attempt at spray painting was inside the boot under the carpet Hopefully will get is sanded back and a couple of coats of Saab black tomorrow (only aerosol of black I have
)
Try MX-5 heaven www.mx5heaven.co.uk should be cheaper , you will also need something to wedge in the battery tray as the westco is a little bit smaller
Cheers, good website but I have already ordered it.
Bit cheesed off about the spraying, wind got under the newspaper and tipped the brackets over so they are covered in newspaper now. Not sure why I bothered...
Have MOT booked for tomorrow so hoping paint has hardened enough by then to put the battery on top.
I have a feeling it won't have and I will be back to square one. TBH I wish I hadn't bothered now and had just sprayed some hammerite over it...
Bit cheesed off about the spraying, wind got under the newspaper and tipped the brackets over so they are covered in newspaper now. Not sure why I bothered...
Have MOT booked for tomorrow so hoping paint has hardened enough by then to put the battery on top.
I have a feeling it won't have and I will be back to square one. TBH I wish I hadn't bothered now and had just sprayed some hammerite over it...
Impressive - ordered last night after 4pm and turned up this am at 8.30am!
All fitted no problem but of course the paint hadn't hardened enough so the battery tray has chewed it up a bit
Anyway, new battery works fine, just as well as I had an MOT booked!
Heater hose had other ideas though and I overheated on the way down
Still, at least I know why it was overheating now...
All fitted no problem but of course the paint hadn't hardened enough so the battery tray has chewed it up a bit
Anyway, new battery works fine, just as well as I had an MOT booked!
Heater hose had other ideas though and I overheated on the way down
Still, at least I know why it was overheating now...
OK, for anybody still awake here are some more photos:
Masked off:
A couple of coats of primer:
A couple of coats of Saab black :
Masking removed: (note brown bit near deeper bit of boot that I forgot about )
Battery fitted: (note chewed up paint in a couple of places and bolt missing from one of the brackets - the hole it screws into seems to be blocked)
Anyway, it's all done and under carpet now.
Lessons learned:
here are some more photos:Masked off:
A couple of coats of primer:
A couple of coats of Saab black
:Masking removed: (note brown bit near deeper bit of boot that I forgot about
)Battery fitted: (note chewed up paint in a couple of places and bolt missing from one of the brackets - the hole it screws into seems to be blocked)
Anyway, it's all done and under carpet now.
Lessons learned:
- when brushing on paint, *thin* coats
- when spraying paint, *thin* coats
- leave it as long as you possibly can for it to harden, and don't book an MOT for 18 hours after you sprayed the last coat
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