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News on battery rubber vent smell

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Battery driven, May 29, 2015.

  1. Battery driven

    Battery driven Junior Member

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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you think?o_O
     
  3. Battery driven

    Battery driven Junior Member

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    $85/£65 per tube, not cheap. I don't really mind to pay if it will eliminate the smell.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agreed, maybe you should take them out for awhile and see what happens.
     
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That's nuts. Cobble something out of vacuum tubes and fittings?
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if apollo 13 could do it, so can you.(y)
     
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  7. Battery driven

    Battery driven Junior Member

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    #27 Battery driven, Jun 1, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 9, 2015
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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  9. Battery driven

    Battery driven Junior Member

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    We've been having problems with the smell for the last 15 months. Current smell is very powerful and we don't recall that has ever been so strong before. About 6 months ago the 12 volt battery was showing its weakness and had to jump start it 3 times. 2 months ago the original battery was replaced with Bosch S4 40Ah which is smaller in physical size from the original and perhaps the vent tube fell off or it isn't tight enough. It's 5am here now, but will check it out this later today.

    All gen 2 Priuses use regular acid 12 volt batteries.

    Ohh something wouldn't add up if it's due to the vent on the new 12 volt battery as why was the smell present with the original battery.
     
    #29 Battery driven, Jun 3, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 9, 2015
  10. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    No, all Prius are supposed to be equipped with AGM 12V batteries as original equipment. However, in some instances AGM batteries were not installed.

    In the attached file folder, see the fourth image, bottom of page.
    "The Prius auxiliary battery is a special Valve Regulated Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) design and should NEVER be replaced with a conventional battery design."
     

    Attached Files:

    #30 Patrick Wong, Jun 4, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2015
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  11. Battery driven

    Battery driven Junior Member

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    Do you reckon this is causing the smell? I believe original battery was AGM why was the smell also present back then?
     
    #31 Battery driven, Jun 4, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2015
  12. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I have no idea, I am not the one who authored the link you referred to in post #30. However it would be easy enough for you to rule that out by simply removing the 12V battery and letting the car's interior air out for a while.
     
  13. Battery driven

    Battery driven Junior Member

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    image.jpg

    I've uploaded the link as may interest other users. Removing 12 volt battery is a good idea. I'll try that.
     

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    #33 Battery driven, Jun 4, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 9, 2015
  14. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I assume the GS battery in your photos is the original equipment battery, model S46B24R. That battery is supposed to be AGM.

    The only way you would know for sure is to remove the warning labels on top of the battery, then remove the translucent plastic cover and the caps covering the six cells. Look into a cell. If you see fuzzy white mats between the lead plates, the battery is AGM. If you don't see those mats then the battery is of traditional design. I did this on the original equipment battery for my 2001 to prove it was AGM.
     
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  15. Battery driven

    Battery driven Junior Member

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    I hope the battery hasn't been disposed by landlord. Thanks for this, will definitely look into before exploring the hybrid battery.
     
  16. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    I don't think either of those batteries look familiar to us Prius owners in the U.S. I realize EU/UK may have different OEM parts.
     
    #36 wjtracy, Jun 4, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2015
  17. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    The Bosch battery you've shown is an S4 019, which is not the correct Bosch replacement battery--the correct battery is an S4 055. This battery is pretty much the same size as OEM, but it is a flooded acid (std automotive) battery, not an AGM so I'm in agreement with what Patrick has stated above.

    Have you fitted the vent elbow? The OEM elbow needs to be modified to fit as the vent hole in the Bosch is a smaller diameter. My concern would be if the smell is coming from the battery, why is it venting? In normal operation it should not vent any gases, so if it is I would be looking for the underlying problem.

    If you have confirmed 100% that both batteries were venting gases, as I said above, I'd be looking for the underlying cause.
     
  18. Battery driven

    Battery driven Junior Member

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  19. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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  20. Battery driven

    Battery driven Junior Member

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    It seems I'll need to purchase AGM battery as Bosch S4 55 isn't AGM. I hope I can find one of market in UK otherwise will have to buy from Toyota dealer.