Help! Battery Leaking!

Mr&Mrs323i · 11-01-2020, 10:26 PM

After I gassed up at Costco gas my dash started flashing ABS, airbag, gear, radiator and a few other symbols and it felt like my car was going into limp mode. After I made it home I noticed a strong acidic smell in the back seat. I popped the trunk open and it felt hot next to the battery. After removing the cover I saw vapour escaping from one end of the battery. Battery is about 7 years old. Should I drive the car to my mechanic or should I have it towed? Should I disconnect the battery or leave it connected? Thanks in advance!

Update: Getting it towed

NoGuru · 11-02-2020, 10:27 AM

Why would you have it towed? Replace the battery....

Efthreeoh · 11-02-2020, 11:21 AM

Did it leak acid into the battery box? If so you need to thoroughly rise out the battery box with water and baking soda. Then clean and dry the area.

tcphoto · 11-02-2020, 01:16 PM

Tow to a mechanic for a battery? That’s going to be one expensive battery. I would let it cool, take it out and throughly clean the battery compartment and have a friend take me to Autozone for a replacement.

Mr&Mrs323i · 11-03-2020, 06:19 PM

Update: My alternator is toast. The BCAA tow truck driver did a code check and found that it was overcharging the battery making it overheat and vent. My speedometer stopped functioning and it felt like I was stuck in first gear while driving. Actually the battery was 2 years old.

11-01-2020, 10:26 PM	#1
Mr&Mrs323i Lieutenant 21 Rep 555 Posts Drives: 2007 323i TiAg Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada iTrader: (1)	Help! Battery Leaking! After I gassed up at Costco gas my dash started flashing ABS, airbag, gear, radiator and a few other symbols and it felt like my car was going into limp mode. After I made it home I noticed a strong acidic smell in the back seat. I popped the trunk open and it felt hot next to the battery. After removing the cover I saw vapour escaping from one end of the battery. Battery is about 7 years old. Should I drive the car to my mechanic or should I have it towed? Should I disconnect the battery or leave it connected? Thanks in advance! Update: Getting it towed Last edited by Mr&Mrs323i; 11-02-2020 at 09:53 AM..
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11-02-2020, 10:27 AM	#2
NoGuru Major 779 Rep 1,434 Posts Drives: 335is Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 Chevy Silverad ... [0.00] 2014 CTS [0.00] 2011 335is [0.00]	Why would you have it towed? Replace the battery.... __________________ 2011 335is DCT BQ Tuning / BMS CAI / VRSF kittyless DP's / Synapse BOV and charge pipe / 7" VRSF Race FMIC / Walbro 535 and 450 on BMP4 / E90 tune / Diff Brace / PR Coils / Relocation Inlets / DAW Stage3+ Turbos / MMP port injection / xHP Stage 3 / FPR and -6 fuel lines
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11-02-2020, 11:21 AM	#3
Efthreeoh General 19020 Rep 19,641 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Did it leak acid into the battery box? If so you need to thoroughly rise out the battery box with water and baking soda. Then clean and dry the area.
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11-02-2020, 01:16 PM	#4
tcphoto Brigadier General 4137 Rep 3,235 Posts Drives: E92 335i 6MT Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (1)	Tow to a mechanic for a battery? That’s going to be one expensive battery. I would let it cool, take it out and throughly clean the battery compartment and have a friend take me to Autozone for a replacement. __________________
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11-03-2020, 06:19 PM	#5
Mr&Mrs323i Lieutenant 21 Rep 555 Posts Drives: 2007 323i TiAg Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada iTrader: (1)	Update: My alternator is toast. The BCAA tow truck driver did a code check and found that it was overcharging the battery making it overheat and vent. My speedometer stopped functioning and it felt like I was stuck in first gear while driving. Actually the battery was 2 years old. __________________
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