Northern Auto Tech - ECU and Blue & Me Repairs

General Block of wood on battery?

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General Block of wood on battery?

ClassicPap

ClassicPap

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Hi Guys,

I've been looking at getting a 2010 Punto Evo 1.4. I went and seen one today but upon opening the bonet I notice a block of wood strapped to the battery.

I'm no expert but I'm guessing it didn't come like that so I'm just wondering if anyone might be able to shine some light on what it's doing there? I assume it's to put pressure on the battery to stop it rattling or something?

Anyone got any thoughts?

Image:
b8evdb

https://ibb.co/b8evdb

P.S Be nice, I'm new.
 
Last edited:
Welcome at FiatForum.

You're probably right about that piece of wood giving more pressure to the battery.
Maybe it's a smaller battery, or maybe the strap was loose...?
Anyway, the amount of corossion on the battery pole and on the engine is no good sign at all, seems someone neglected something here...
 
Thanks for the welcome.

I'm not overly concerned about the wood as long as it's safe and I know what it's for.

Re the corrosion, is there anything I can do to get rid of it? Sand it down or anything?
 
My first thought was the battery might be smaller than it should be. But looking at the pic, it looks quite big. Possibly they've not got the strap located properly, leaving it slack, so rather than investigate and understand the problem, they've bodged it. Might fail an MOT like that.

Need an owner to advise battery number so you could check if correct one fitted.
 
portland_bill said:
My first thought was the battery might be smaller than it should be. But looking at the pic, it looks quite big. Possibly they've not got the strap located properly, leaving it slack, so rather than investigate and understand the problem, they've bodged it. Might fail an MOT like that.

Need an owner to advise battery number so you could check if correct one fitted.
Click to expand...
The place I'm buying it from will be doing the MOT before they give it to me so I'm assuming they'll pass it.

I take it if I want rid of the block of wood I can just get the correct size battery if that's the issue?
 
Funny you should say that I have a piece of wood on my doblo cargo van,few years ago I bought a new battery and although it was advertised as the correct one when I fitted it is slopped about in the holder been an inch or so not tall enough.its been like that some 3 years or so and has never been a problem with the mot.
 
ClassicPap said:
Hi Guys,

I've been looking at getting a 2010 Punto Evo 1.4. I went and seen one today but upon opening the bonet I notice a block of wood strapped to the battery.

I'm no expert but I'm guessing it didn't come like that so I'm just wondering if anyone might be able to shine some light on what it's doing there? I assume it's to put pressure on the battery to stop it rattling or something?

Anyone got any thoughts?

Image:
b8evdb

https://ibb.co/b8evdb

P.S Be nice, I'm new.
Click to expand...

Welcome to Fiat Forum
I'm not sure if the evo uses a nylon strap as standard, but as long as the battery can't move (falling out and shorting on the bonnet if the car is rolled in an accident causing a fire is the main risk) it is OK. Corrosion on other parts is a bit of a red flag as Peter says. Might just be a result of jet washing under bonnet but that can cause other issues. If there are any signs of electrical issues I'd be looking at other cars. Is it a private sale or a dealer?
Robert G8RPI .
 
Michael Dranfield said:
Funny you should say that I have a piece of wood on my doblo cargo van,few years ago I bought a new battery and although it was advertised as the correct one when I fitted it is slopped about in the holder been an inch or so not tall enough.its been like that some 3 years or so and has never been a problem with the mot.
Click to expand...
That's kind of a relief that it'll likely pass MOT. However, if it annoys me too much I may get the proper size battery fitted. I assume it'll be roughly £130ish for a stop start battery
 
g8rpi said:
Welcome to Fiat Forum
I'm not sure if the evo uses a nylon strap as standard, but as long as the battery can't move (falling out and shorting on the bonnet if the car is rolled in an accident causing a fire is the main risk) it is OK. Corrosion on other parts is a bit of a red flag as Peter says. Might just be a result of jet washing under bonnet but that can cause other issues. If there are any signs of electrical issues I'd be looking at other cars. Is it a private sale or a dealer?
Robert G8RPI .
Click to expand...
It's a dealer. I didn't think much of the corrosion at first as I thought I could sand it down. If the corrosion is on the terminals can I just get a new battery and/or connectors?
 
ClassicPap said:
That's kind of a relief that it'll likely pass MOT. However, if it annoys me too much I may get the proper size battery fitted. I assume it'll be roughly £130ish for a stop start battery
Click to expand...

That could be the answer. That looks like an ordinary battery. If car has stop/start, someone may have fitted an ordinary battery, which is smaller. An ordinary battery used for stop/start usually has a very short life, and if working hard, might explain the corroded terminals.
 
portland_bill said:
That could be the answer. That looks like an ordinary battery. If car has stop/start, someone may have fitted an ordinary battery, which is smaller. An ordinary battery used for stop/start usually has a very short life, and if working hard, might explain the corroded terminals.
Click to expand...
That makes so much sense. If that is the case then I'm more than happy to fork out for a stop start battery.
 
I've got mates that have garages and would be willing to carry out work for me if I get them parts. I'm thinking my best next step is to just get the car and slap a new stop start battery in it after cleaning the terminals with some sandpaper. What does everyone think?
 
ClassicPap said:
It's a dealer. I didn't think much of the corrosion at first as I thought I could sand it down. If the corrosion is on the terminals can I just get a new battery and/or connectors?
Click to expand...

Ask the dealer to fit a new stop-start battery and fit it properly as part of the deal.
Try to pay at least the deposit with a credit card as this gives you extra protection if something goes wrong later.

Robert G8RPI
 
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