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#1
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Optima Battery Warning!
A while back I had SVXyGirl's Killer Tomato.
When I drove it to the Advance Auto Parts store it looked like the rad had cracked, or it blew a radiator hose because steam was boiling out from under the hood. When I opened the hood I saw a CONE OF ACID VAPOR EMITING/RUSHING OUT OF THE VENT IN THE Optima Redtop battery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rushed into the store, grabbed gallons of washer fluid to douse the underhood and fenders to keep the paint from getting fubared. To make a long story shorter, Optima paid about $1500.00 to Rebecca for damages caused by their unexplained battery failure. Fast forward to a few days ago; I was on a test run in my Claret to test the supercharger temperatures because I am breaking in a new supercharger for a friend/customer. I smelled battery acid and stopped again at Advance Aurto Parts to see what my trunk mounted Optima Yellowtop was doing. Opened the trunk, and the Optima was smoking! After spending at least a half an hour inside trying to find out if my 06-2010 dated Yellowtop was under warranty they gave me a new one. Thank you Advance Auto Parts! Fifteen minutes later after installing my new battery I remembered my thermal scan tool. The battery was STILL 158°f! I don't remember the outside temperatures, but it was most likely in the high 30s, because I was rushing to get this done before the snow hit. Six to eight inches by the next morning. So, if you have an Optima, or intend to buy one, know that Optima will stand behind their product if its under warranty, but be aware that they can sometimes go up in smoke for no apparent reason. I am just glad that they did not explode, leaving a big mess, and me blind.
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www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link |
#2
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Re: Optima Battery Warning!
I've heard far more horror stories about the optima than any other battery and plan to stay far away from those batteries. Some other batteries may become defective but never do I hear the almost explosive like issues in other batteries as I do these optimas. Out of the handful of batteries I've owned for the several SVX I have owned, good or bad, never had an issue once with the battery to the extremes I keep hearing from optima owners. It's one thing to read a story or two about it but I've literally read a dozen or so and half of them being SVX owners.
Forget standing by their warranty, clearly something is wrong. Just don't buy the optima batteries.
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1994 subaru svx le 112k |
#3
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Re: Optima Battery Warning!
Wow!!! I have had trouble with Optima batteries, but not like that. I am glad it wasn't worse for you Tom.
And no injuries! Good thing you had on your safety glasses. Earl
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. Earl .... ... .... ><SVX(*> Subaru Ambassador [COLOR=”silver”]1992 Tri Color L[/COLOR] ~45K (06/91) #2430 1992 Dark Teal LS-L ~184K (05/91) #0739 1992 Claret LS-L ~196K (05/91) #0831 1992 Pearl LS-L ~103K (06/91) #1680 1992 Pearl LS-L ~151K (06/91) #2229 1992 Dark Teal LS ~150K (07/91) #3098 (parts car) 1992 White LS-L ~139K (08/92) #6913 1993 25th AE ~98K (02/93) #164 1993 25th AE ~58K (02/93) #176 1993 25th AE ~107K (02/93) #215 1993 25th AE ~162K (02/93) #223 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~124K (1/94) #2408 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~144K (10/93) #1484 1994 Laguna Blue Pearl LSi ~68K (10/93) #1525 1994 Barcelona Red LSi ~46K (02/94) #2624 1994 Pearl LSi ~41K (12/93) #1961 1995 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~70K (02/95) #855 1996 Polo Green LSi ~95K (03/96) #872 1997 Bordeaux Pearl LSi ~55K (08/96) #097 2003 Brilliant Red LS1 Convertible ~29K (04/03) #8951 1999 Magnetic Red LS1 Coupe ~33K (04/99) #6420 My Email | Old Locker | New Locker | Picture of 15 of the 19 |
#4
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Re: Optima Battery Warning!
Glad to hear you were able to catch it quickly.
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Tim 92 Liquid Silver SVX 5MT 2009 BMW Z4 (Gone) 2012 Camry V6 SE |
#5
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Re: Optima Battery Warning!
safety what Earl?!
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www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link |
#6
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Re: Optima Battery Warning!
I don't think it's limited to Optimas.
http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...hlight=battery I just hope our alternators aren't time bombs. I have an Optima now in my Outback for 5 years and before that it was in my VW Rabbit Diesel for 3 years. <Knocks on wood> Sounds like a good battery to me!
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"The things you own end up owning you. It's only after you lose everything that you're free to do anything." 92 Pearl White Ls-l (138k) Euro Headlights & Blinkers, 97 Grill, Euro Tail Lights, SS Brake Lines, Stebro Exhaust, Slotted Rotors, Classic Registration 96 Legacy Outback (206k) 5-speed 2.2 Lightweight Crank Pulley, Group N Trans & Motor Mounts SOLD Wanted: Steering Wheel |
#7
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Re: Optima Battery Warning!
I have had Optima Red Tops (3) in both my pearlie and polo, and (2) in my Legacies for the past 12 years without problem. I have all the alternator wiring upgrades done and everything has been working perfectly.
The ONLY red top I ever use is the one with only the two top terminals, not the ones with the top/ side terminals. Size 34. http://www.optimabatteries.com/us/en...rting-battery/ .
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. Subaru Ambassador 1996 Polo Green LSi #216..138,100 miles...SOLD JFICX8659TH100216.....Date of Manufacture: November 16, 1995..... Fuji Heavy Industries..Ōta North Plant....Ōta City,. Gunma Prefecture, Japan In-Service Date: January 2, 1997 "The Pristine Green Polo Machine” First Polo Green on the Network First Clear front turn signals, JDM Alcyone hood emblem, rear panel, and BOXER engine cover on the Network (US) (2000) First 5000K HID factory fog lights (2007) First SVX JDM BBS wheels on a USDM SVX (2013) HID lighting (5000K) for headlight and H3 fog lights, PIAA SuperExtreme 120W high beams, rebuilt EG33 longblock, Cometic head gaskets, Phase II flexplate, AMR aluminum radiator with custom silicone hoses, 160A high-output alternator in aluminum-ceramic coated case, new design alternator wiring upgrade v.4, rare factory headlight protectors, refinished JDM BBS mesh aluminum wheels and custom, polished billet aluminum new hex center caps, LED grille mod, R1 Concepts high-carbon cryo slotted rotors, Akebono ceramic pads, Goodridge S/S braided brake lines, Smallcar Stage 1 shift kit, ThermalTech aluminum/ceramic-coated valve covers, Energy Suspension urethane front & rear swaybar bushings, Bontrager22 rear swaybar with QS Components Chromoly Teflon/Kevlar endlinks, "$15.00/5 minute" suspension mod. Hella Supertone horns, Custom stainless steel exhaust system with 2" headpipes, Magnaflow cats, AeroTurbine AR25 resonator /AWD "Bullet" muffler. R.I.P. 2010 Subaru Outback Limited 2.5 CVT...338,000 miles. Totaled by a 1,300 lb. COW March 4, 2016 2014 Hyundai Avante Limited ...178,000 miles. Actually quieter and smoother than the Outback 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5 PRHT...102,000 miles. Plenty of parts, service and windshields. 4th Registered Network member —2/21/2001 My NEW locker..I...My Email..I..Wikipedia/SVX . . |
#8
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Re: Optima Battery Warning!
Both my Yellowtop, and Rebecca's Redtop had side and top terminals, if that means anything...
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www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link |
#9
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Re: Optima Battery Warning!
Tom, as a new Red Top owner, what is the smell like I should look out for?
Gene
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Gene and Ben 1992 SVX LS AWD 110K - Liquid Silver 1994 SVX LSi AWD 128K - White Pearl (daily driver) 1994 SVX LSi AWD 95K - Emerald Pearl (sold) 1992 SVX LS-L AWD 115K - Dark Teal 4.44 swap (sold) |
#10
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Re: Optima Battery Warning!
H2SO4, (battery acid) smells like rotten eggs.
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www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link Last edited by svxfiles; 03-31-2013 at 05:03 PM. |
#11
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Re: Optima Battery Warning!
Sounds like the problems are caused by driving to Advance Auto Parts. Stop doing that :P
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'93 Anniversary Edition SVX 122k - 3.7 FD 5MT Swap, ECUtune 1a1, Bontrager RSB, Mad Restoration underway! '20 Honda Ridgeline Custom Oil Caps, Battery Bars, Phenolic Spacers for sale here: http://www.x35design.com |
#12
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Re: Optima Battery Warning!
Quote:
Milk and vodka all over the screen!
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www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link |
#13
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Re: Optima Battery Warning!
I couldnt imagine this happening in JOhns pristine polo machine
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1995 POLO LSI 76K MILES SOLD |
#14
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Re: Optima Battery Warning!
Quote:
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www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link |
#15
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Re: Optima Battery Warning!
I wonder if Boeing 787 uses Optima red top batteries.
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