Battery life
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New User
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Battery life
Hi all
I bought an 08 F350 Lariat with the 6.4 diesel last summer with 105000 miles. It's been starting really strong up until about 2 weeks ago. Went out after work and it cranked a few times and died. I am embarrassed to say I had to call my wife and jump it with her Saab. Anyway, each battery took close to a quart of distilled water. I gave them each a good charge for two days. They just don't seem to have the power they had up until recently. Even at 20 below zero this past winter they were fine. My question is being that low on water were they permanently damaged? They are Motorcraft so I am assuming they are original so basically 5 years old. Should I replace them. Under load they are right at 14.6 volts so the alt is doing it's job. Just dont want to make a $300.00 mistake. Any thoughts?
I bought an 08 F350 Lariat with the 6.4 diesel last summer with 105000 miles. It's been starting really strong up until about 2 weeks ago. Went out after work and it cranked a few times and died. I am embarrassed to say I had to call my wife and jump it with her Saab. Anyway, each battery took close to a quart of distilled water. I gave them each a good charge for two days. They just don't seem to have the power they had up until recently. Even at 20 below zero this past winter they were fine. My question is being that low on water were they permanently damaged? They are Motorcraft so I am assuming they are original so basically 5 years old. Should I replace them. Under load they are right at 14.6 volts so the alt is doing it's job. Just dont want to make a $300.00 mistake. Any thoughts?
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 566
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Yes they are permanently damaged, they will never be the same once you expose the plates to air and they dry. New battery time.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,825
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From: Land of Taxes
I agree with the damage statement but if the load test says 14.6 thats a real good number, too good for a load test number in a 12vdc system. As stated load testing gives a true picture of the batteries ability to be loaded and sustain the load. How long does it hold the 14.6? Usually a group 27 or 31 battery will drop as low as 10.5 or 11 VDC on a load tester from its surface charge of 12.5-13.2 ish and still be within spec depending on its rated CA & CCAs. Then it should come back up to the surface charge number after the load test. 14.6 sounds more like a charging (or possibly) a surface voltage reading verses a load test number. Is this 14.6 with both batteries tied together? One could be bad in which case the bad one will bring the "good" one down with it. Separate the batteries then retest. Ill bet one falls flat on its azz and the other one is OK. As with any multiple battery set up series or series parallel always replace them as a set.
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Thanks for all the input guys. Just finished installing 2 new Diehard Golds. 880 CCA as compared to 750 OEMs. I tow a 12000lb 5th wheel camper and batteries are the last thing I want to worry about.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,825
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From: Land of Taxes
What Did Sears nail you for the Golds? I have one in a 68 Olds 442 thats 11 years old and counting knock on wood quick! Well worth it. It was $80 back in 02.
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Southern Cal
I bought new Kirkland units from Costco. They are made by Johnson Controls who also make the Motorcraft brand.
Same size and weight as Motorcraft, plastic casting marks are also the same. 88 bucks instead of 129 each.
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