Battery Recall

[l5foye]

Someone was telling me that MB cars fitted with MB batteries made in South Africa (National Battery Company) were the subject of a recall. It appears that some SA made batteries had a habit of exploding. Can anyone confirm this please/

 

[lexuscol]

I had my battery replaced under the recall scheme W203 C class, I was told the reason was because the batteries had not been approved by DC Stuttgart, They even gave me my original battery back and I don't think they would have done that if there was a chance of it blowing up.

 

[lexuscol]

PS I had had my car two years and has been serviced by the factory in Stuttgart, much cheaper than main stealers and you know it's been done also. Nice ride if your in `germany when service time is due

 

[BlackC55]

I can confirm this. Seen plenty of them explode. Not a pretty sight.

 

[television]

I can confirm this. Seen plenty of them explode. Not a pretty sight.

The damage to the surrounding area's is the worst, though you may not see that much at first.

Milk is one of the best things for this type of damage.
When batteries were stuck in torches, just fill them with milk and the old ones will drop out a few hours later

 

[Dieselman]

Does the milk also stop the acid burning the local area.?

 

[BTB 500]

I guess this problem was a 'bursting' one due to gas not being vented quickly enough, rather than venting hydrogen igniting and flashing back into the cells?

 

[television]

Does the milk also stop the acid burning the local area.?

Battery acids are both water and milk soluble, water will wash away most,where as milk kills it off and stops any growth from taking place, there could be specialist products for this but I have never heard of any

 

[Dieselman]

I guess this problem was a 'bursting' one due to gas not being vented quickly enough, rather than venting hydrogen igniting and flashing back into the cells?

I thought the batteries in question usually had low electrolyte level and a short circuit creates a spark which ignites the hydrogen.