Optima Battery Warning!

svxfiles · #1 03-31-2013, 12:49 PM

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.

Subix · #2 03-31-2013, 01:07 PM

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.

ensteele · #3 03-31-2013, 01:43 PM

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

Tim · #4 03-31-2013, 01:54 PM

Glad to hear you were able to catch it quickly.

svxfiles · #5 03-31-2013, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ensteele

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

safety what

Earl?!

michael · #6 03-31-2013, 03:08 PM

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!

svxcess · #7 03-31-2013, 03:26 PM

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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