I am in the process of doing some work on the mini and as i've had it off the road for a few weeks, thought I'd give the battery a quick charge to keep it fresh.
Any who, I took the battery out and saw this Not cool, this boot was spotless!!



Now i know what it is but just wondering if any one else has had this issue and how they repaired it. It was forming next to the -ve terminal...

I'm not to fussed about how it looks as i have a cover, just don't want any rust forming.

I was thinking cleaning it with bi-carb or the like, then a quick rub back and some primer...
To combat it reforming maybe one of those plastic battery boxes, if it fits.
The battery in there was a maintenance free one as it is a little difficult to get to with my boot set up.
Would one of those Odyessy or Optima batteries cause the same issues as they are fully sealed

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Carl
Previous Owner & Driver of 1 Morris "It's not a Cooper!!" 850

I'd wash it with hot water first.
Then maybe some bicarb soda.
Then rub it back and put some rust converter on it.
Then etch prime and paint.
Check the alternator is not overcharging the battery- you should not have that stuff on the body.
Anything over 14.5V on charge, and alternator probably needs a new regulator in it.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Nasty
Yep, I'd bi-carb it, flush out, prime and slap on loads of bitumous sealer.
I wonder if your alternator is overcharging & causing the acid to spray out

_________________
1967 Cooper S - new front bearings to do.
1965 Cooper S shell - Slow progress. No time or money!
1966 Deluxe- next rustoration!
Mk 2 & XJ6 Jags. Less said the better.

Yep, I'd bi-carb it, with real hot, hot water

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"

I'm outa here - Toure de Froggy now on - another late night

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1967 Cooper S - new front bearings to do.
1965 Cooper S shell - Slow progress. No time or money!
1966 Deluxe- next rustoration!
Mk 2 & XJ6 Jags. Less said the better.

Don't I know it!!

Will get it all cleaned up but won't be able to check charge for a few weeks yet...
I assume the battery should be ok??
It is a larger battery, terminals sit a bit closer to the metal, still... I don't think that would have caused this!! It's all very ugly, i didn't show u all the crumbly crap in the bottom either.

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Carl
Previous Owner & Driver of 1 Morris "It's not a Cooper!!" 850

after you clean it and prime it, make sure you paint it too, as primer is porous and won't stop the rust.

good idea about the plastic box though, if it will fit.

i ahve a maintenance free battery in my mini too, might ahve to ahve a look...its been in there for about 2 years now

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78 Leyland Mini - Prince

When I put my new battery box in I made sure it was rust free(rust converter) primed with kill rust, then as mentioned above a good thick coating of bitumum sealer then when hard primed again and painted in body colour

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

[quote="sox61
I assume the battery should be ok??
[/quote]

As long as it hasn't overheated. I left a battery on a charger once (forgot about it) for a week! It was red hot and totally stuffed. Charged the crap out of it

_________________
1967 Cooper S - new front bearings to do.
1965 Cooper S shell - Slow progress. No time or money!
1966 Deluxe- next rustoration!
Mk 2 & XJ6 Jags. Less said the better.

Thanks for the help previously..

Now, i have used the bi-carb and it's worked a treat! Now i was just wondering if i should clean it with anything before spraying? Was also thinking of putting some rust converter and fish oil in for good measure (not that there's really any rust).
Is there an order to applying these products in this situation
Never had to paint anything before so want to do it right..

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Carl
Previous Owner & Driver of 1 Morris "It's not a Cooper!!" 850

See advice above...and don't forget to bicarb the battery case as well

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"

Take the car to an auto elec and they will test your alternator for free (majority will, you get the odd 1 who will charge you rip off bastards ).

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1978 Leyland Mini 998LS All Original *Sally*
2002 Mini Cooper *Coopa*

I did read the process by others Just wondered if i needed to get rid of the bi-carb with any thing...

Also no one mentioned fish oil in the process. Possibly because i have found my fish oil, and it says u can't paint over it, so that won't be going on

And yes, i am definately going to clean the battery, and as suggested, the charging system may be at fault. Will get that checked when back on the road

Cheers.

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Carl
Previous Owner & Driver of 1 Morris "It's not a Cooper!!" 850

Just flush away all the residue of boiling hot bicarb and dissolved crud with more hot water....mop up excess with cloths...and it helps to pick a sunny day and back your boot into the sun. When thoroughly dry...then do the rust preventive stuff.

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"Show me the Mini!"

Great, thanks champ.

Thought that might be the case, but always pays to check.
Old 'McKenzies' aren't too detailed on the use of their product for cars

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Carl
Previous Owner & Driver of 1 Morris "It's not a Cooper!!" 850