C5 Battery problems

[v8d]

Interesting link from V7TTE - C5 issues etc. Has anyone here had the problem with the leaking Delco battery? Sounds like a potentially catastrophic failure as the acid eats the PCM and the wiring harness. If its a problem then the cost of a new battery seems trivial. Does anyone have a clue which batteries are suspect? My battery is an AC Delco 78H6YR. May even be the original one - not sure. How can you tell if the battery is the gel type electrolyte or normal liquid acid? Maybe someone can recommend a non delco equiv.

[Adetuono]

I've just bought an Optima Red Top RTU 3.7L, P/No. 8022-255 for my C5. A bit pricey, but it looks good and should be leak-proof. There are others available though. Have a search back a couple of pages on this forum. Pretty sure I read that there's a Vauxhall one with the side terminals that will fit.

[ZR1cliff]

Heres an old link that might throw some light on a vauxhall part number.
http://pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topi

[v8d]

Red top looks good, think I'll go with that. Is it a straight drop in fit, and where did you get the thing from? Dare I ask the price?!!!
Thanks for the advice.
BTW I use an Optimate battery charger conditioner to overcome the background current draw by the alarm Immob unit.

[adetuono]

v8d said:

Red top looks good, think I'll go with that. Is it a straight drop in fit, and where did you get the thing from? Dare I ask the price?!!! Thanks for the advice. BTW I use an Optimate battery charger conditioner to overcome the background current draw by the alarm Immob unit.

Got mine locally from a tyre exhaust & battery centre. Just quote the number on my previous post, and they should be able to get hold of one for you. Mine took 24 hours. Cost was £126.
Fit it in 10 mins, 1/2" AF for the holding bracket and 8mm for the terminals.

[Dee Gee]

I've had the total failure on the Vert when it had only done 8k miles. Drove into the garage parked for 20 mins and dead when I tried to restart. The Camaro was a leaker although it was 6 years old. Luckily I caught it before it did any damage. Replaced both with Optima Red Tops.

It seems that the older AC delcos are the leakers (<2001). After that they just die. In any event, just not worth the risk IMHO.

[eurovettes]

HI there - I supply Delco batteries and now also Optima - in my experience I have not heard of Delco batteries leaking - of course this is possible but I havnt come accross it. What I have found more recently that C5 batteries are failing (some are still original 5+ years old). Now with any electronic car a good battery source is essential - as are good earths !!!! so rather than 'see how the battery goes' thought process when it discharges over a week or so change it as soon as poss to save the grief - you dont want your steering lock to lock and then get confused and not unlock do you.
Delco are all wet cell batteries and as such are difficult/imposible to deliver with DHL etc Optima are gell cells and can be delivered easily
if you need pricing let me know [e-mail]