A/C Delco batteryquality

pm26 · February 14, 2006

I have a new '06 truck with less than 2K miles on it. I have read several horror stories about the original Delco battery leaking or even exploding Are these batteries low quality batteries that could potentially leak or worse in less than a year? Did GM use the same type of battery in the '06 trucks? If so, I will go to Wal-Mart and get one of their batteries. Never had a problem with any of them. Thanks in advance for any input.

BigE · February 14, 2006

Delco batteries suck! I have changed many with detached and leaking side post on almost new GM SUV,s and Trucks! Just my opinion!

RyanZ71 · February 14, 2006

I have to agree, they suck, some say they fixed the quality problems with them, but I don't believe they have. I would strongly recomend replacing it with something of better quality such as Die Hard, Interstate, or best yet, Optima.

Mr. Smith · February 14, 2006

I have a new '06 truck with less than 2K miles on it. I have read several horror stories about the original Delco battery leaking or even exploding Are these batteries low quality batteries that could potentially leak or worse in less than a year? Did GM use the same type of battery in the '06 trucks? If so, I will go to Wal-Mart and get one of their batteries. Never had a problem with any of them. Thanks in advance for any input.

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Yea they leak. Yea they're junk. Anything is better than Delco batterys.

bigdogxx · February 14, 2006

/shrug every delco battery ive owned has gone 5+ years without a issue.Not saying that they dont have problems because this is not the first post ive seen about them but everyone ive had in my trucks has owed me nothing when it was time to change.

67ChevyRedneck · February 14, 2006

My trucks positive battery post fell out about 2 months ago, but it was the original Delco battery from 1999. So, I guess I can't complain after 6 years?

drmwvr · February 14, 2006

My trucks positive battery post fell out about 2 months ago, but it was the original Delco battery from 1999. So, I guess I can't complain after 6 years?

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FWIW, I just replaced my battery for the first time in my '00 Suburban about 6 months ago. And that is in Houston's hot weather! Went ahead with a new Delco

Corky356 · February 14, 2006

My trucks positive battery post fell out about 2 months ago, but it was the original Delco battery from 1999. So, I guess I can't complain after 6 years?

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FWIW, I just replaced my battery for the first time in my '00 Suburban about 6 months ago. And that is in Houston's hot weather! Went ahead with a new Delco

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I saw a comparison rating of batteries just recently by Consumer Reports. They rated Auto Zone's Duramax as the best, I believe, about $45.00. Walmart and DieHard didn't rate too well, and I was really surprised by the low rating they gave Interstate. However I didn't notice where Delco was on the list.

steve summers · February 14, 2006

'94 Chevy extended cab went 6 years on the Delco battery.

'95 Astro went 3 before I traded it.

'99 GMC Suburban had 3 Delco Batteries in less than a year before Dealer started moon walking and tried to blame it on something else. I replaced it with a DieHard and had no other battery problems although the Suburban was the single WORST vehicle I have even owned. Add the incompetent Dealer on top of it and it was a nightmare. Fortunately GMC gave me some great incentvies to trade it on on...

'01 GMC Yukon XL 5 years and still kicking on Delco battery.

'03 Silverado SS 2 years on Delco battery before trade.

'05 GMC CC Delco battery still working.

I wouldn't buy a Delco as a replacement due to the Dealer markup, it would most likely be Autozone, or Sam's.

Jasonsupafly · February 15, 2006

I have an 01 and just replaced the battery...It also leaked pretty good out of the positive terminal too..So I got a little over 4 yrs out of it but there wasnt no way in hell I was going to replace it with Ac Delco and have it leak in my truck again..especially after reading dozens of post and finding out first hand about the leakage..

Jacqson · February 15, 2006

I have used Delco Professional Series Batteries for years and have never had a problem with them. I do agree that the Delco's that come with your new vehicle are kind of crappy but I have found the Professional Series to be very dependable. Maybe I've been lucky?

RyanZ71 · February 15, 2006

From time to time I'll drive by the local Sears here where they have the used battery drop off and I will see quite a few Delco batteries that are/were leaking acid

Mr. Smith · February 15, 2006

My trucks positive battery post fell out about 2 months ago, but it was the original Delco battery from 1999. So, I guess I can't complain after 6 years?

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FWIW, I just replaced my battery for the first time in my '00 Suburban about 6 months ago. And that is in Houston's hot weather! Went ahead with a new Delco

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I saw a comparison rating of batteries just recently by Consumer Reports. They rated Auto Zone's Duramax as the best, I believe, about $45.00. Walmart and DieHard didn't rate too well, and I was really surprised by the low rating they gave Interstate. However I didn't notice where Delco was on the list.

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I only use Autozone batteries now. I have had no problems with the leaks ever with these batteries. The battery in my wifes Jimmy died in 2 years and leaked acid, so I just said screw it and buy another AZ batt. No troubles here with the quality.

jhm · February 15, 2006

My trucks positive battery post fell out about 2 months ago, but it was the original Delco battery from 1999. So, I guess I can't complain after 6 years?

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FWIW, I just replaced my battery for the first time in my '00 Suburban about 6 months ago. And that is in Houston's hot weather! Went ahead with a new Delco

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I saw a comparison rating of batteries just recently by Consumer Reports. They rated Auto Zone's Duramax as the best, I believe, about $45.00. Walmart and DieHard didn't rate too well, and I was really surprised by the low rating they gave Interstate. However I didn't notice where Delco was on the list.

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I only use Autozone batteries now. I have had no problems with the leaks ever with these batteries. The battery in my wifes Jimmy died in 2 years and leaked acid, so I just said screw it and buy another AZ batt. No troubles here with the quality.

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Duramax will be my next battery. I checked them out and they are made by Johnson Controls who also makes Optima. I checked out Optima too, but it seems some GM applications require a seperate plate configuration for the battery to fit correctly. I am on my second Delco due to leaking from the pos post so they are off the "list".

pm26 · February 15, 2006

Can somebody please explain why GM insists on making and using side terminals batteries? What other vehicle manufacturer uses these? I owned quite a few GM vehicles in the past and I always disliked the side terminals, because they were PITA to attach booster cables to, PITA to remove and reinstall. What is the advantage to using these?

I think that top post batteries do not leak at the posts because the posts (terminals) are above the electrolyte level. The side terminals on Delco batteries are probably below the electrolyte level, so if they are not sealed properly, they will leak.