10 year old battery. Should I replace it?

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Feb 8, 2011 | 12:59 AM

jem44357

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Tuned

Joined: Nov 2007

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From: Whitmore lake Mi

10 year old battery. Should I replace it?

I purchased my 2wd F150 new in September of 93 it now has 146,000 miles on it. I replaced the battery in October of 2000 because I was getting concerned as winter approached. I parked it last October and put the 92 4x4 on the road. I was out snow blowing today and decided to see if the 10 year old battery would crank it. 4 or 5 spins and it fired right up with just a bit of a rattle, I am not certain what that is but I have heard it a few times after it sits for awhile. These old Ford inlines are just the chitz and

's. I love my truck!

Just thought I'd share my joy
Jim

Feb 8, 2011 | 06:58 AM

kotzy

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Your thinking in Oct of 2000 was to replace it because of winter coming on. The battery hasn't failed you in 10 years now the heat of summer is coming which is just as hard if not harder on batteries. As sure as anything when you want to use it the 10 year old weak link will fail. My two cents. kotzy

Feb 8, 2011 | 09:44 AM

AbandonedBronco

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From: Boise, Idaho

That's awesome that it's lasted that long, but I certainly wouldn't press your luck. Most automotive batteries have a life span of around 4 - 5 years, and you're well double that.
It may fire up, but I imagine it's really weak, and will probably start losing its ability to hold a charge quickly.

Feb 8, 2011 | 02:49 PM

Harte3

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From: Spokane, WA

Have it tested. If it's good, keep it. If not, replace it.

Feb 8, 2011 | 05:43 PM

jem44357

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Tuned

Joined: Nov 2007

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From: Whitmore lake Mi

I really did not think it was going to start. But these 4.9 EFI's do spin pretty easy with good oil and keeping them tuned up.

kotzy,

My concerns were more of freezing my butt off in the cold weather. I can deal with break downs if the weather is good. Besides it is a short range butt/junk hauler that does not see much service, lately just a few thousand miles a year.

AbandonedBronco,

I thought I was pressing my luck the first time around at 7 yrs so I decided to push it a little further.

Harte3,

Starting it was the test

I have been meaning to replace it for the past few years. It is just my summer back up. I use the 92 4x4 for winter back up. Since I went through them a few years back and fixed their deficits they have been doing their jobs just sitting and waiting for my GMC to fail. BTW I have brackets welded to the frame of my 92 that stick through the bumper for my tow bar. I tow it behind my GMC when I have to take it in for extended service.

Built Ford tough!
Jim

Feb 10, 2011 | 01:11 PM

91Bronc300

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For me a battery is not something to replace because 'it's about time', like sparks plugs or a paper air cleaner would be. It's something to replace when it's not doing the job anymore. If it's still doing the job then 10 years be danged, try for 11 or 12.

Also, if a vehicle sits for months oil generally seeps out of everything and back into the pan. The journals are dry, some of the oil has come out of the lifters, half the oil filter oil has leaked past the drain back valve, etc., etc. A moderate knock and some clicking don't mean anything if they go away after the oil pressure comes up after 5 seconds or so.

Feb 11, 2011 | 02:02 AM

NavyMIDN08

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Joined: Nov 2005

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I gotta agree with 91Bronco300, I replace it when its no longer working. Of course, I also keep three spare batteries charged on my work bench with a trickle charger 'just in case,' But those were kept from old demo derbies. If it still works, use it. As long as your alternator works, you can always get a jump and limp to the nearest parts store for a new battery if she up and quits on ya.

Have it load tested, and keep running it.