Complaint Review: Delco - Nationwide

Now some people have claimed the AC Delco batteries are one of the best. Some have gotten over 10 years of use..but realistically 4-5 years under normal use is about the average life expectancy of a car battery.

I decided to do a little research to see if the leakage at the terminal was common...if so were any improvements made, and the warranty limitations. Here is what I found..it seems if you are going to use AC Delco, get the 60 series.

60 Series Car, Truck, and Marine Battery

    * Competitive free-replacement period under limited warranty*
    * Terminal design that provides resistance to acid leaks, seepage, corrosion, and black post, allowing the terminal posts to stay clean and corrosion-free on the shelf

The warranty is 60 months..but the "no charge" period is only 18 months meaning after 18 months they can charge labor to replace. This is probably why the OP was charged in this case.

*Warranty applies to the original retail purchaser. Installation not included. For details, see your local retailer or Independent Service Center that offers ACDelco parts.

From the GM insider news forum...staff member since 2005

 Re: Positive battery terminal corroded right off

Almost a weekly occurrence here. The key is to catch it before it gets that far. I would bet the battery tray is full of corrosion. Make sure when you get the new battery to replace the bolt and spacer, and buy some battery acid neutralizer and spray everything down good. If you don't get all the corrosion off of the terminal it will eat it until you need a new cable too.


 Re: Positive battery terminal corroded right off
When Delco stopped making their own batteries (white case) and went with the black cased...nightmare.

For customers we only sell the 60-series ACD, as that doesn't occur on those.

 

Lesson learned...don't take your vehicle to the car dealer as they overcharge every time.

Now whomever sold you the battery that went bad under the warranty period (you were not clear if this was the dealer..only that you took the vehicle to them), should not charge for diagnosis or replacement if they installed it as well..since the warranty would cover that if the problem is only the battery going bad.

However, if the dealer did not sell and install the battery, then perhaps they have grounds to charge for diagnoses before replacing it. If the dealership had installed this particular battery, then you got ripped. To confirm a dead battery is a simple load test..but in all fairness, they should (with your approval) check the charging system as well as it could be a cause of the problem if it is not up to par.

Now you did not state that the second battery was leaking..only that it simply failed.

What Jim has stated about the post adapters makes no sense..as what if they over tighten the post adapters where they bolt into the side posts? You would have the same leakage.

I guess I have a slight advantage being that I know how to diagnose a charging system and battery, and can replace it myself...but for others I don't know what to suggest other then asking around for a good old honest ethical mechanic. They do exist still..even if they work under a shade tree. Word of mouth is the best advertising.

Delco side post batteries are very easy to damage by the mechanic over tightening the side terminal.

You said "The first battery was leaking acid from the side.

THAT'S A MECHANIC'S doing (Or Technician, whatever)

The terminal is simply a 5/16 machine nut cast into the lead, tighten it too hard and you break it loose and destroy the lead seal.

You've really been screwed twice (Unless there was another Mechanic involved) the dealership Mechanic was at fault here.

I can see their point, it takes a pro to tighten it and NOT break it (A design flaw in my opinion) and they have no way to tell WHO did it, so essentially you bought a battery at cost, and they installed it free.

Stay away from "Shade trees", and if you have any further battery problems, there's an Adapter to convert top post batteries to side post, if you have enough hood clearance this can be used(Top Post batteries are stronger) side posts were invented because of low hood clearance.