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[Shackeng]

Being nosy, I was poking around in the engine bay of the 'new' Mondeo, and spotted that the battery vent plugs are still fitted. As far as I am aware, these should always be removed when the battery is on a charging system. Or does someone know differently?

[robson]

The last time I fitted a new battery I was told to remove vent plugs

[Lazydocker]

Are they definitely plugs and not tubes?

[zirk]

Are they definitely plugs and not tubes?

Thats what I was thinking, tubes so that a pipe could be fitted for internal batteries. 

[Shackeng]

No, definitely small plastic plugs about 5mm dia., one each end of the top of the battery. They were also fitted to the last new battery I bought, which had a label: Remove plugs before use.

[Bigron]

I've never had plugs like you describe on a battery before, only big (1"?) screw caps on older wet batteries or common rail ventchannels to either end. My best guess is that your battery is similar to the latter, with plugs to prevent any spillage in transit. Therefoe you DO need to remove them before charging. As I'm sure you know, when the battery is fully charged yer still on the charger, the water in the elecrtolye dissociates into hydrogen and oxygen, which needs to be vented safely. preferably to the outside air and not the inside of the car, where peole might smoke! 

Ron.

[Shackeng]

Exactly, which is why I am concerned not only that they are were still in place, but the Ford 'technicians' did not know anything about them!

[Bigron]

Technicians? Aka tosspots! 

Ron.

[frostbite]

Plugs should be removed once the batt is secure

[Lazydocker]

Just check with the dealership... If they say no then all is good

[Bigron]

If they say leave them in - change your dealership.....

Ron.

[TD]

Being nosy, I was poking around in the engine bay of the 'new' Mondeo, and spotted that the battery vent plugs are still fitted. As far as I am aware, these should always be removed when the battery is on a charging system. Or does someone know differently?

Original battery or has it been replaced??

[Shackeng]

New 16 plate car, the Ford technicians don't know at the dealer! I've removed the one I can get at, and have written to Fords about it amongst other stuff.

[frostbite]

If they are plugged, where does the hydrogen go?

Im sure there was an article on deformed batteries a few years ago

[TheBoy]

Presumably Shack, these are the small outlets at one/both ends of battery. If the battery is mounted in boot or in cabin, such as BMW, a small pipe connects to these to allow venting outside car (build up of hydrogen in confined space only ends one way ).  If fitted in engine bay, usually nothing connects to these.

With a new battery, these outlets have little (usually red for some reason, but might vary) caps to seal these for transit.  These caps should be removed upon fitting.