Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto
I think they will replace it if you show it is below the manufacturers limits - probably 13.3 or 13.4 They have been good replacing batteries for me around here - Find another AA and see what they will do. Some parts sellers are overzealous - even if they don;t know what it means. Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D) www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil PORSCHE POSTERS! youroil.net Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs . - Original Message - From: archer [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2007 8:34 PM Subject: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto WARNING! If you buy an Autocraft Titanium battery be sure and check the cells electrolyte levels before installing. I stopped in an Advance Auto store to buy ATF on a Sunday evening about two months ago. The car wouldn't start when I left so I bought one of their Titanium A batteries. Saturday I serviced the car and checked the electrolyte levels in the battery. Two cells were dry and it required two to three ounces of distilled water to bring them up to the correct level. The other cells sp.gr. was in the red zone 11.50-11.75. After driving two days, the two cells I had added water to were still in the red zone but the other cells had come up almost to normal. I suspect these two cells were damaged by driving it two months with very low electrolyte. No one at Advanced Auto had ever heard of checking the sp.gr. or had any knowledge of what it meant, and they refused to give me a new battery. I checked the voltage when I serviced the car on Saturday and it was 13.7 volts. I checked it today and it was only 12.5 volts. I'm wondering if the battery might be drawing too much current and might have damaged the diodes in the alternator? Gerry Archer '83 300D and 240D ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.13.31/1031 - Release Date: 9/26/2007 12:12 PM ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto
I think they will replace it if you show it is below the manufacturers limits - probably 13.3 or 13.4 They have been good replacing batteries for me around here - Find another AA and see what they will do. Some parts sellers are overzealous - even if they don;t know what it means. Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D) The problem was that the battery was within the manufacturers limits and that was the only criteria the people at AA went by. The actual defect was that the factory had not filled up two of the batteries cells with electrolyte and AA would not open the cells; saying they were sealed at the factory, which was not true. A major part of the problem was that the manager was a very disagreeable and uncooperative person. Rather than go to another store (in another town) I'll simply run the battery until it dies and then take it back. I'll check the electrolyte in the replacement battery before accepting it. I would suggest that anyone who buys a battery from AA does the same because the factory seems to have a problem filling their batteries with electrolyte. Gerry ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto
sounds like a plan! ;-) Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D) www.youroil.net for Oil Analysis and Weber Parts Test Results http://members.rennlist.com/oil PORSCHE POSTERS! youroil.net Weber Carb Info http://members.rennlist.com/webercarbs . - Original Message - From: archer [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 3:27 PM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto I think they will replace it if you show it is below the manufacturers limits - probably 13.3 or 13.4 They have been good replacing batteries for me around here - Find another AA and see what they will do. Some parts sellers are overzealous - even if they don;t know what it means. Larry T (67 MGB, 74 911, 78 240D, 91 300D) The problem was that the battery was within the manufacturers limits and that was the only criteria the people at AA went by. The actual defect was that the factory had not filled up two of the batteries cells with electrolyte and AA would not open the cells; saying they were sealed at the factory, which was not true. A major part of the problem was that the manager was a very disagreeable and uncooperative person. Rather than go to another store (in another town) I'll simply run the battery until it dies and then take it back. I'll check the electrolyte in the replacement battery before accepting it. I would suggest that anyone who buys a battery from AA does the same because the factory seems to have a problem filling their batteries with electrolyte. Gerry ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.13.32/1032 - Release Date: 9/26/2007 8:20 PM ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto
Open circuit voltage of 12.5 indicates a good batery. 13.7 volts would have been voltage with alternator charging ( nor a few seconds afterwards ). Need to keep an eye on why the electrolite levels are dropping though. PEter -Original Message- From: archer [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 26 September 2007 02:34 To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto WARNING! If you buy an Autocraft Titanium battery be sure and check the cells electrolyte levels before installing. I stopped in an Advance Auto store to buy ATF on a Sunday evening about two months ago. The car wouldn't start when I left so I bought one of their Titanium A batteries. Saturday I serviced the car and checked the electrolyte levels in the battery. Two cells were dry and it required two to three ounces of distilled water to bring them up to the correct level. The other cells sp.gr. was in the red zone 11.50-11.75. After driving two days, the two cells I had added water to were still in the red zone but the other cells had come up almost to normal. I suspect these two cells were damaged by driving it two months with very low electrolyte. No one at Advanced Auto had ever heard of checking the sp.gr. or had any knowledge of what it meant, and they refused to give me a new battery. I checked the voltage when I serviced the car on Saturday and it was 13.7 volts. I checked it today and it was only 12.5 volts. I'm wondering if the battery might be drawing too much current and might have damaged the diodes in the alternator? Gerry Archer '83 300D and 240D ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto
Only two of the six battery cells were 'way low on electrolyte. I think they were not filled at the factory. Haven't been low since I filled them with water but their specific gravity is lower than the other four cells. Beginning to think that the alternator is charging only some of the time. Since this is an old alternator, think I'll order a new one; or at least new diodes; from Rusty. Thanks, Peter. Gerry - Original Message - From: Peter Merle [EMAIL PROTECTED] Open circuit voltage of 12.5 indicates a good batery. 13.7 volts would have been voltage with alternator charging ( nor a few seconds afterwards ). Need to keep an eye on why the electrolite levels are dropping though. PEter -Original Message- From: archer [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] WARNING! If you buy an Autocraft Titanium battery be sure and check the cells electrolyte levels before installing. I stopped in an Advance Auto store to buy ATF on a Sunday evening about two months ago. The car wouldn't start when I left so I bought one of their Titanium A batteries. Saturday I serviced the car and checked the electrolyte levels in the battery. Two cells were dry and it required two to three ounces of distilled water to bring them up to the correct level. The other cells sp.gr. was in the red zone 11.50-11.75. After driving two days, the two cells I had added water to were still in the red zone but the other cells had come up almost to normal. I suspect these two cells were damaged by driving it two months with very low electrolyte. No one at Advanced Auto had ever heard of checking the sp.gr. or had any knowledge of what it meant, and they refused to give me a new battery. I checked the voltage when I serviced the car on Saturday and it was 13.7 volts. I checked it today and it was only 12.5 volts. I'm wondering if the battery might be drawing too much current and might have damaged the diodes in the alternator? Gerry Archer '83 300D and 240D ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto
Only two of the six battery cells were 'way low on electrolyte. I think they were not filled at the factory. Haven't been low since I filled them with water but their specific gravity is lower than the other four cells. And you are assuming they had the correct amount of ACID put in at the factory, why? My guess is that you just diluted those two cells. -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto
Modern car batteries are fill forget. And because of this, the younger guys gals at the auto stores don't have a clue. They just test replace. I suspect that you purchased a battery that had been spilled or incorrectly filled and the problem probably did not occur at Advance Auto. The batteries are manufactured under contract are just branded with their name. It's also possible that your charging system is over charging the dry cells cooked off first. The timing is about right. Thanks, Tom Hargrave www.kegkits.com 256-656-1924 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jim Cathey Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 7:50 AM To: Mercedes Discussion List Subject: Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto Only two of the six battery cells were 'way low on electrolyte. I think they were not filled at the factory. Haven't been low since I filled them with water but their specific gravity is lower than the other four cells. And you are assuming they had the correct amount of ACID put in at the factory, why? My guess is that you just diluted those two cells. -- Jim ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto
- Original Message - From: Jim Cathey [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 8:50 AM Subject: Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto Only two of the six battery cells were 'way low on electrolyte. I think they were not filled at the factory. Haven't been low since I filled them with water but their specific gravity is lower than the other four cells. And you are assuming they had the correct amount of ACID put in at the factory, why? My guess is that you just diluted those two cells. -- Jim No. After running it two months I assumed it was either too little acid or the cells were defective and running hot/boiling out the electrolyte or both. I don't know what the capacity of each cell is, so it's just a guess as to whether the electrolyte is low enough to cause a drop in sp.gr. If I had been using my head I would have taken it back to the store before adding water to the cells, but I'm glad I didn't because the manager refused to open the cells when I did take it back and refused to even talk about the cells being low on electrolyte. He said the batteries were sealed at the factory, they had the correct amount of electrolyte, and why did I think two were low? I told him I looked and knew they were low, and thought they had not put enough electrolyte in at the factory. He got nasty then and made a little speech about how this is the computer age and everything is tested electronically. He did a voltage and load test on the battery and said there was nothing wrong with it and he would not replace it. SoI wait until the battery goes bad and then take it back, I suppose. Discount Auto, a regional chain, was pretty cooperative about this sort of thing and I bought batteries and such from them for years. Then, after Advance Auto bought them out, I kept right on trading there; buying oil, ATF, etc. This little episode was informative. I deal with Autozone or NAPA from now on. Gerry ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto
Tom Hargrave wrote: Modern car batteries are fill forget. And because of this, the younger guys gals at the auto stores don't have a clue. They just test replace. Gerry: That seems to be the case, but some stores will give you the benefit of the doubt and let you show them why a part is defective. I suspect that you purchased a battery that had been spilled or incorrectly filled and the problem probably did not occur at Advance Auto. The batteries are manufactured under contract are just branded with their name. G: Probably so. However, If I had bought a Bosch alternator, put it on the shelf, and then two months later found that it was missing the diode, I would expect them to replace it with one that had a diode. If a battery is missing electrolyte I expect them to replace it with one that was not missing electrolyte. There are stores that will do that sort of thing. The store which Advance Auto bought out (Discount Auto) would have. It's also possible that your charging system is over charging the dry cells cooked off first. The timing is about right. G: Actually, my charging system is undercharging (I just put in another diode) but maybe the cells cooked off anyway. I usually buy one of Consumer Reports higher rated batteries. Should have gotten a jump at the store and the next day at home and then went and bought a NAPA which was the top rated battery. Duh! Live and learn. Gerry ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto
On 9/26/07, archer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I usually buy one of Consumer Reports higher rated batteries. Should have gotten a jump at the store and the next day at home and then went and bought a NAPA which was the top rated battery. Duh! Live and learn. Gerry, which NAPA line did CR recommend (I assume the store sells a couple different varieties at different price levels)? I have been buying Autozone red top batteries on Dave Meimann's recommendation on the list but am not particularly impressed with them. The one in my 300D is getting wheezy after only two or three Oregon winters. Alex Chamberlain '87 300D Turbo et al. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto
On 9/26/07, archer [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I usually buy one of Consumer Reports higher rated batteries. Should have gotten a jump at the store and the next day at home and then went and bought a NAPA which was the top rated battery. Duh! Live and learn. Gerry, which NAPA line did CR recommend (I assume the store sells a couple different varieties at different price levels)? I have been buying Autozone red top batteries on Dave Meimann's recommendation on the list but am not particularly impressed with them. The one in my 300D is getting wheezy after only two or three Oregon winters. Alex Chamberlain '87 300D Turbo et al. -- Group 65 lists a NAPA 84 Select 8465 as the top pick, then Duralast 65-DL, then Everstart MAXX-65N. Group 34/78 lists Everstart MAXX-1N as top pick, then Nascar XLT Performance Series NXDT34, then AC Delco Professional 78DT-6YR. Those are the batteries for the largest cars but I seem to remember that MB diesels take a special group which is not listed. CU also says Everstart, AC Delco, Napa, and Nascar are best for cold climates. CU goes into a lot of detail about the various batteries, but those seem to be the best choices. Good luck, Gerry ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto
I don't like our Autozone very much but I like Advance Auto alot less. Which is too bad the store LOOKS like it ought to have all kinds of good/cool stuff, it just doesn't... Anyway on the subject of batteries I used to be stuck on the idea of Diehard as the way to go. Then when the battery in my 240D was conking out just as I was getting rid of it I put in a $60 (vs $140 for the diehard I put in my 300TD) which is still going fine 2 years later (I know the guy who bought the car). Heck I could buy the AZ battery twice as often and still be money ahead. Marshall contends they're probably the same battery with different names and I tend to agree. The AZ battery was marked with Made by Johnson Controls. -Curt Date: Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:46:35 -0400 From: archer [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto To: Mercedes Discussion List mercedes@okiebenz.com Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1; reply-type=original Tom Hargrave wrote: Modern car batteries are fill forget. And because of this, the younger guys gals at the auto stores don't have a clue. They just test replace. Gerry: That seems to be the case, but some stores will give you the benefit of the doubt and let you show them why a part is defective. I suspect that you purchased a battery that had been spilled or incorrectly filled and the problem probably did not occur at Advance Auto. The batteries are manufactured under contract are just branded with their name. G: Probably so. However, If I had bought a Bosch alternator, put it on the shelf, and then two months later found that it was missing the diode, I would expect them to replace it with one that had a diode. If a battery is missing electrolyte I expect them to replace it with one that was not missing electrolyte. There are stores that will do that sort of thing. The store which Advance Auto bought out (Discount Auto) would have. It's also possible that your charging system is over charging the dry cells cooked off first. The timing is about right. G: Actually, my charging system is undercharging (I just put in another diode) but maybe the cells cooked off anyway. I usually buy one of Consumer Reports higher rated batteries. Should have gotten a jump at the store and the next day at home and then went and bought a NAPA which was the top rated battery. Duh! Live and learn. Gerry - Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos more. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto
I bought an Autozone battery one year that it was top rated in CU. It lasted well. I dealt mostly with Autozone for while until they started demanding that we write down our name, address, telephone number, etc. when we dumped used oil. Gerry -- - Original Message - From: Curt Raymond [EMAIL PROTECTED] I don't like our Autozone very much but I like Advance Auto alot less. Which is too bad the store LOOKS like it ought to have all kinds of good/cool stuff, it just doesn't... Anyway on the subject of batteries I used to be stuck on the idea of Diehard as the way to go. Then when the battery in my 240D was conking out just as I was getting rid of it I put in a $60 (vs $140 for the diehard I put in my 300TD) which is still going fine 2 years later (I know the guy who bought the car). Heck I could buy the AZ battery twice as often and still be money ahead. Marshall contends they're probably the same battery with different names and I tend to agree. The AZ battery was marked with Made by Johnson Controls. -Curt Tom Hargrave wrote: Modern car batteries are fill forget. And because of this, the younger guys gals at the auto stores don't have a clue. They just test replace. Gerry: That seems to be the case, but some stores will give you the benefit of the doubt and let you show them why a part is defective. I suspect that you purchased a battery that had been spilled or incorrectly filled and the problem probably did not occur at Advance Auto. The batteries are manufactured under contract are just branded with their name. G: Probably so. However, If I had bought a Bosch alternator, put it on the shelf, and then two months later found that it was missing the diode, I would expect them to replace it with one that had a diode. If a battery is missing electrolyte I expect them to replace it with one that was not missing electrolyte. There are stores that will do that sort of thing. The store which Advance Auto bought out (Discount Auto) would have. It's also possible that your charging system is over charging the dry cells cooked off first. The timing is about right. G: Actually, my charging system is undercharging (I just put in another diode) but maybe the cells cooked off anyway. I usually buy one of Consumer Reports higher rated batteries. Should have gotten a jump at the store and the next day at home and then went and bought a NAPA which was the top rated battery. Duh! Live and learn. Gerry ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] Warning on Autocraft Titanium A battery from Advance Auto
I bought a 300SD with stuck CC servo drawing 0.4A. It had a five year old Autozone Duralast group 49 in it. I spent a couple of days driving it home with no trouble. After I got it home, I ran it dead twice before I found the electrical problem and took out the climate control fuse (it was an inline fuseholder, not in the fuse box). The 2nd time finished off the battery. I paid $60 for another one just like it, the new one has a 7 year warranty. It's in OK shape after 5 years, but doesn't hold a charge in storage as long as the Interstate in my 190D. I can let the 190D sit for six months, hook up the battery, glow for ten seconds, and the car starts instantly. If I let the 300SD sit six months with the battery unhooked, I have to charge it. Mitch. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
