New battery

[chris]

Had to replace battery which has been in since new about 7 yrs so no complaints. It was labelled AC Delco, Made In Korea, Ah = 90, CCA  810.
Rang stealer and quoted £195 inc 1 yr warranty. That seemed a lot so investigated. Measured battery dimensions, compared terminal layout and figured a 019 type would do.
Bought Hankook for £78 with 4 yr battery. My battery has to reversed into position so the terminals are at the rear of the battery. Positive is back LHS. Just fitted and car started immediately.

All batteries I've fitted in the past require you to remove both the transport vent bungs. I've done that but noticed this in the VX manual.....

When the battery is being replaced,

please ensure that there are no open

ventilation holes in the vicinity of the

positive terminal. If a ventilation hole

is open in this area, it must be closed

off with a dummy cap, and the

ventilation in the vicinity of the

negative terminal must be opened.

Not seen that anywhere else on any battery manufacturer site. Can only imagine they're thinking venting gases being ignited by sparking positive terminal post?
Surely that would apply to all cars using lead acid batteries and be mandated by all countries if it's an issue. This is the first time I've ever come across leaving a bung IN.

Any one care to comment?

[Dulac]

Follow the instructions. Years ago I accidentally shorted the terminals on my battery whilst tuning the carbs. The battery exploded like a bomb and was completely destroyed, scattering debris everywhere.

[chris]

Thanks for your reply Dulac but your answer raises further issues IMHO. Whose instructions should I follow? VX or battery manufacturer? You said you shorted the terminals and it exploded. Are you saying that happened because it wasn't vented properly or are you saying it exploded as a result of being vented and igniting gases? Or are you saying the vent issue is irrelevant in the case of a massive short? I expect acid went everywhere. That must have been scary and you were extremely lucky if you avoided injury. I expect the paint job suffered badly too.

My point is a serious issue that may need to be directed to ALL battery manufacturers if VX are correct. I cannot find a battery manufacturer that says keep one bung in. Can anyone quote any other car manufacturer that has the same policy? i.e. One that will massively increase the odds of the one and only vent hole now getting bunged up by something else....surely? That could then lead to potentially explosive conditions like you suffered.

Anyone?

[Dulac]

Follow VX's printed instructions, which include the type of battery to be installed (as described in the OM). It can affect start-stop if you have it. More expensive - yes - but it is the only route by which you can have recourse for the consequences against the car manufacturer. You say the original lasted seven years. That's the way the industry is geared up these days. By all means use non-GM parts for all sorts of things as long as you are prepared to take the hit in the event of failure. AC Delco is (was?) a reputable name and they might have a view on it, but get it in writing. I thought Hankook made tyres?

I was lucky, the bonnet and roof were glass fibre and I drenched in water immediately afterwards (and it happened about 40 years ago when batteries were not sealed). I collected all the bits in a carrier bag and my local battery shop accepted them in part exchange for a new one.

[chris]

Thanks for reply Dulac. Ok I've put the bung on the positive side back in. I don't have stop/start so don't need AGM. As for paying VX part prices ...well that's a separate issue really. Hankook (4yr warranty) is made in Korea exactly like the original. In fact the whole car and all its parts are made in Korea (KIA?)...nothing from Luton in it! I find sourcing parts for the Antara is increasingly moving to a "suitable replacement" regime anyway unless using breakers parts.

I recently had to have the starter motor changed. Original part was made in Korea with a GM sticker. Probably made by Valeo but did I pay VX £450 + vat for the part? ...Nah!

[Dulac]

Chris, I quite understand your view. However, I bought the car in 2015 via GM Network Q, with 2500 miles on the clock and 3 months old at a 37% discount from new list price. After years of DIY mechanics and then a few years of being spoilt with company cars I decided to run the Antara in accordance with GM's instructions and using GM parts fitted by my local VX dealer (from whom I receive excellent service). A yearly budget allowance is made for servicing and maintenance and the GM Service Club offers a useful discount to members. I only use Texaco or Shell diesel and nothing else. As you say, genuine GM parts will get more scarce and at some stage, when the value of the car is at a low point, I will end up in my local car mechanics' workshop to keep it going on simple economic grounds. Genuine GM parts are very expensive indeed but they do turn up on the internet. I find Hankook tyres excellent and mine have done 40 000 miles with wear capacity left in them still. VX suggested that I go to a local tyre workshop when they need replacing like for like (they said the same when I had a towbar and electrics installed) so fair enough as far as I am concerned. My car DIY days finished years ago - the electrical systems are a nightmare and I wouldn't know where to start now!