Battery terminal gunk

[Phil E.]

I noticed all this ‘stuff’ around the positive terminal of my starter battery today.  Does this indicate a problem or can I just clean it off and ignore? 

[Jen-in-Wellies]

Not a big problem. Unsightly. Could cause the joint to go high resistance over time, which would lead to problems drawing the amps needed to turn the starter motor. Caused by moisture on the battery and the voltage across the terminals, which is why it is more prevelent on the +ve post. Clean off, maybe a bit of sandpaper on the terminals to get them back to bright metal. smear the terminal with vaseline to exclude moisture and prevent it coming back. Traditional with car batteries. Still works with boats  

[Phil E.]

Brilliant, thanks very much 

[jonesthenuke]

As well as the above, when its all clean check for signs of corrosion and leakage around the terminal where its exits the top of the battery case , could be signs of impending failure.

 

[Tony Brooks]

3 minutes ago, jonesthenuke said:

As well as the above, when its all clean check for signs of corrosion and leakage around the terminal where its exits the top of the battery case , could be signs of impending failure.

 

 

More likely signs of cackhanded terminal tightening, and as long as the post is still attached to the plate group and it is treated properly, unlikely to indicate impending failure. Go a bit gorilla and it could fail instantly.

[jonesthenuke]

27 minutes ago, Tony Brooks said:

 

More likely signs of cackhanded terminal tightening, and as long as the post is still attached to the plate group and it is treated properly, unlikely to indicate impending failure. Go a bit gorilla and it could fail instantly.

Agreed, but worth watching. If the corrosion starts again following thorough cleaning its possible the seal around the pillar has degraded.