RE: Exploding Audi

["Avi Meron" <avi@cosmoslink.net>]

Jeff,
First and foremost, do not get a batt. WITHOUT a vent line! Which ever one
you get.....
Don't TOUCH it have the dealer handle it! the factory would want to know all
the details!

I would suspect that your old vent line is possibly blocked which caused the
batt. to explode (excess hydrogen gas with a spark).
Make sure that your new vent line is not kinked, twisted or squished when
your seat is down
Make sure that your + post has a plastic shield on top (batt.)
Make sure your alt. is not overcharging your batt, (faulty voltage reg.)
Make sure both the batt. posts are well secured (tight fastening bolts)
Make sure that your seat is not causing "an issue" with the battery
Last and most important (almost), do not do it yourself! HAVE THE DEALER DO
IT! you should not have to pay for it! if the dealer gives you any grief
(which they probably won't) be very forceful............. Use whatever you
can!

Good luck and inspect the dealer work after the replacement batt. is
installed.
Take care,
Avi
In real life a factory rep. (on the other side of the fence!)



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-quattro@audifans.com [mailto:owner-quattro@audifans.com]On
Behalf Of Levis-Fithian, Jeff E
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 1999 8:21 AM
To: 'Quattro-List'
Subject: Exploding Audi

Last night I got into my car (95 A6), turned the key, and heard a _very_
loud bang.  At first I thought it was the radio, since it sounded like a
speaker pop, but louder than any I have heard before.  Upon further
examination, I discovered that the battery under the rear seat (that my 3
week old son was sitting on!) EXPLODED.  The plastic casing around the
battery was cracked, the breather hose was blown off, and miscellaneous
plastic bits were laying around the battery, along with a couple drops of
fluid (acid?).  Has anybody ever experienced this before?  I can easily go
purchase a new battery, but I am worried about the root cause here.  Any
ideas?

Also, are there any alternatives to buying a battery from a dealer for $90?
The one from the local auto parts store ($50 Duralast) doesn't have a vent
hole, and I am worried about fumes building up under the seat and causing an
even bigger explosion.

Thanks

Jeff Fithian
95 A6Q 5sp with exploding battery option