Hi, not sure if this is the right place to post. While checking the radiator, I noticed a white clear sticky liquid around the top of my battery. Is this battery acid? Can I continue driving? My magna still starts ok but since I am planning a major road trip, I do not want my battery dying halfway. My battery is Lion Mercury. Battery is only 6 mths old.

That is corrosion. Boil some hot water and pour it over your battery which will dissolve it.
If you are planning a major road trip, make sure you get it serviced just before to identify any major problems you might have.
does your name stand for "I Don't Know **** All" by any chance?! :P

Sure it's not coolant? If it's corrosion, you can spray some anti corrosion gear on it too.

;1265084']That is corrosion. Boil some hot water and pour it over your battery which will dissolve it.
If you are planning a major road trip, make sure you get it serviced just before to identify any major problems you might have.
does your name stand for "I Don't Know **** All" by any chance?! :P

erm Ive seen corrosion pics. Its like a small puddle on top the battery. 2nd time I have seen water on the top and sides of the battery. Was stupid enough to give it a poke. Now my hands itch. Erm nope IDKFA is the code used for game Doom for god mode. Really old game.

coolent should be green in color right? I googled it up and it could be the battery overcharging. Something to do with the alternator.

I gotta read posts properly, yeah that's overcharging if there is water on top of the battery (thought you said white powder for some reason, think I'm reading what i want to read)
Put a multimeter on the battery and get a mate to rev the car to about 3000RPM steady, should go no more then 14.4V

coolent should be green in color right? I googled it up and it could be the battery overcharging. Something to do with the alternator.

Spilled coolant dries white and usually looks like a white sort of powder.

If your hands itch, I'd say it was acid and you're on the right track.

If it is overcharging, is retifying the problem expensive? How much should I be looking at?

Overcharging is usually an alternator regulator, never done a 3rd gen alt before but usually means removal of alt, dis-assembly new alt, re-assembly etc

First see if it's overcharging, if not as Disciple said, sure it's not coolant? (could be random but does happen)

If it's acid another good tip is to get some baking soda as well and sprinkle it over the affected areas to neutralise it just to be sure.

a wreckers might charge you 50.00 for a 2nd hand alternator but as mentioned make sure that is the problem first. i have seen a few batterys latly ( unsure of brand but its all the same brand battery) that is actually leaking from the caps due the fact they wearnt put on properlly from the get go, so you might just want to have a look at the caps on the top of your battery to. id also take the battery in to place of purchase when you find and fix the isue just to be on the safe side and make sure the leaking didnt come from the battery or cause any damage to the battery. very un-likly but as i said, just to be on the safe side as you are planning a trip

i know you said its 6 months old but it could also be a faulty battery that one of the cells is dying/dead

Ok.... I brought by car to my Mech. He tested it using a voltage meter and told me there was nothing wrong with the alternator. He said that batteries leak sometimes and it was nothing to worry about. Told me to monitor it a few days. If it still leaks he will change it for me as it is under warranty. Erm question is.... is it normal for batteries to leak sometimes? Mines and unsealed batt.

its not normal no, but from time to time it does happen. its just one of those things but like your mechanic has said keep an eye on it and if your still worried or unhappy with the battery go back to him its a good thing your mechanic isnt being a prick about it like some are know to be

its not normal no, but from time to time it does happen. its just one of those things but like your mechanic has said keep an eye on it and if your still worried or unhappy with the battery go back to him its a good thing your mechanic isnt being a prick about it like some are know to be

Does this mean that the mechanic has to replace the battery at his own cost? I assumed since the batt was under warranty he could send it back to the manufacturers .

Does this mean that the mechanic has to replace the battery at his own cost? I assumed since the batt was under warranty he could send it back to the manufacturers .

bingo

if it is a warranty issue the manufacturer will wear the cost

bingo

if it is a warranty issue the manufacturer will wear the cost

then why is my mech so unwilling to change the battery. Every day it spills out acid and corrodes the battery box. Went to him twice he says give it a few weeks. My mech was the one who sold me the batt.

just go back to him mate, TELL him your not happy with it and you want a replacement... he has to do it if its faulty