ok, so how do I get the battery out?

[yosini]

Hi,

My battery is feeling pretty old so am treating her to a new one - so how on earth do I get it out? The scuttle panel is easy but do I have to remove an air box/wheel/front seat/move house?

I've searched through all the old posts and mainly people are too busy fighting over red tops vs lead to explain how to change one...

Also, it seems that as long as the alarm is disarmed when I disconnect the battery then all should be good, and when I reconnect the new battery the alarm will arm - so also good. Am I right in assuming this?

So, apart from the difficultly in removing the blasted thing, am I likely to find any other problems?

Cheers

Joe

[Mark.]

Scuttle panel off, clamp it the bottom loosened, leads off, and yes if I remember correctly airbox off, although there may be enough flex in the inlet pipes to just loosen the airbox from it's mounts.

[supersix]

I remember it being fairly easy, 45 mins or so. Airbox off is simple enough, disarm alarm immediately before disconnecting the battery and alarm was still disarmed after reconnecting it, I think. Make sure the doors and windows are open before you disconnect. Had to trim a couple of the flanges on the battery I got to make it fit in - it's a right tight squeeze into the hole...

[Tanguero]

On a 4.2 you will probably need to take off the airbox, at least I do on mine. Go with the red top by the way

[yosini]

Cheers - I have gone red top in the end, but don't want to start that arguement again. I just like the colour red...

I've never taken the airboxes off mine - is this easy/are there any pitfalls to avoid?

Thanks again

Joe

[Tanguero]

Don't drop the bolts down the intake trumpets!

[FUBAR]

yosini said:

I just like the colour red...

I love this kind of car maintenance logic

[Mr Cerbera]

yosini said:

Cheers - I have gone red top in the end, but don't want to start that arguement again. I just like the colour red...

I've never taken the airboxes off mine - is this easy/are there any pitfalls to avoid?

Thanks again

Joe

Take a look at the first six photos on this guide ...

[yosini]

Finally got around to changing the battery - the old one (a Halfords one) was a swine to get out - very tight on the -ve terminal. Once out I compared it to the new Red Top and the new battery was considerably smaller with the terminals more towards the centre of the battery - hence it fitted back in very easily and I can even get to the -ve terminal with it it place. It hadn't started for 2 weeks and span up so quickly and fired within the first second - lovely. Let's see how it deals with occasional 2 weeks between starts...

Cheers

Joe

[Tang Soo Tim]

Have you got the details ( model number ) of which battery you went for please

[Steve_T]

Joe, if you can, keep the car on an optimate or similar to prolong battery life.

[Byker28i]

Tanguero said:

On a 4.2 you will probably need to take off the airbox, at least I do on mine. Go with the red top by the way

Didn't have to on mine, the battery finally failed last year and I had no trouble getting it out.

I always use an optimiser. It goes straight on as soon as the car goes in the garage

[yosini]

Hi,

Model number is:

Optima RTS 4.2 Red Top Starter Battery 8002-250

and bought from Just Car Batteries - they delivered very quickly, can't remember how much it cost but they seemed the most reasonably priced when I was looking.

The car lives most of it's life in a multi storey so no access to power to plug in a trickle charger - I thought about one of the solar ones, maybe if this one starts running flat I'll rethink.

cheers

Joe