My 244 wouldn't start for work due to a dead battery yesterday, so today my dad and I went to the local NAPA auto parts store and got a replacement for it. Surprisingly, it cost over $89 without tax, a number that surprised even my dad (I wasn't sure how much since I haven't done a lot with batteries, but that still seems high to me). They said they only carried one other type that was $10 more, which was sold out. Did we get ripped off or are the batteries that go in the 240s expensive, due to size or some other factor?

Also, is there such things as "over-filling" the water in a battery? A few weeks ago, my dad and I filled the wiper fluid and decided to check out the battery. It had been starting fine, but we discovered that three of the six cells were dry! So, we filled those and topped off the others. (Of course, just a few weeks later, the whole thing now doesn't work.) I thought nothing of adding the water, but when we got the new battery, my dad decided to check the water levels and they weren't all the way full. We've since topped those cells off, and the car started up on the first try. However, I'm wondering, can you add too much water and shorten the life of the battery?

this is an excellent site:

http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq.htm
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Kenric Tam
1990 Volvo 740 base sedan (B230F)
My Volvo 'Project'

I do not know what battery you wound up with but they are expensive.I found that I was not able to locate a battery easily for my 80 240 when they went out and my selection was limited as far as brands.The problem was that the Volvo had the mount tabs on the ends of the battery case insted of the sides. I cured my problem by installing a 1972 Camaro battery tray. It used one or two volvo bolts and If I rember correctly a bolt with a large washer pinched against a rib under the tray.Its been in there at least 10 years and I can get a battery anywhere.

I can't emphasize enough the importance of using ONLY Distilled Water to fill a battery. If you use ordinary tap water, bottled drinking water, or well water, you will be introducing various chemicals like Chlorine, Salt, and Iron into the battery which will cause it to have a decreased performance and cause an increased rate of self-discharge. As for when and how much to use when 'topping-up' your battery, check with your battery supplier for proper fluid levels. If you had just purchased it new, I would have the battery store verify proper fluid level, and then use those levels as a reference point and not fill it past that mark. Yes, you can over fill a battery so be aware of the proper level. If the battery says Maintenance Free, I wouldn't even consider adding fluid for several years. Many of the newer maintenance free batteries have sealed tops that prevent tampering by the owners.

Just some FYI of an extreme case, back in high school I had a friend who accidentally spilled a bit of coffee into his battery while the caps were open. It proceeded to rise to a temperature of about 120 degrees F (from 65 F)as it discharged itself over a period of approximately 30 hours. A perfectly good battery was instantly demoted to 'space-heater' status.

Again, I can't emphasize enough: Use distilled water only, and use only enough to get the battery to the proper level. If it doesn't say Distilled Water on the container, don't use it.

God bless,
Fitz Fitzgerald.
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'87 Blue 245, NA 220K

Each time we've filled batteries my dad has gone to get the water, and so I'm not sure what he used. HOWEVER, I'm pretty sure it wasn't distilled (we only have tap water and bottled water that I know of). I'll make sure that the next time we check (and fill) the battery, we used distilled water only. Hopefully the bit we added won't screw it up too badly or speed up corrosion.

i worked at NAPA STORES from maine to fla for 15 years. i was an outside salesman. ive told this couple times here.....BATTERIES, ALL FILTERS,FRONT END PARTS,SHOCKS BEARINGS.. are all made by maybe 5- 10 manafactures. when i was a t NAPA their batteries where built by GENERAL BATTERY MANAFACTURE. now the only differances in any of these batteries...is what the buyer sets for specifactions. now this dont mean much as all battery cases follow ABMA specs. this is your size 22, 24, 24f, 27, 27f 3eec...6d..etc etc. now what each buyer sets as specs for the inside can vary.....GBM sells to a 100 different companies. each with a different name on the outside. when i was workin NAPA and DIEHARD were the same battery, made by GBM. inside is a whole different ballgame. as each buyer sets specs for internals. this has to do with plates,plate thickness and placement from the floor of the battery, amp hours, recharge rate, post size and strength. as you know when you buy a battery you get a 24 mos, 36 mos, 48, 50, 60, 80 mos garontee. well we all know that theses things are expendable parts, and only last as long as they are made to. a battery that comes in a new car...is usually the cheapest piece of crap they can buy. 24-36 mos at max. these have paper thin plates, no space on the bottom for the oxidation deposits that fall off the plates...and as soon as this oxidation makes contact plate to plate....then you got a shorted out battery.
now it begins to make sence why one battery is so much more money than another.
the NAPA 7524 is a 72 month battery....thats 6 years of battery life.....they are saying you will see outa that battery. also if the battery you got was an EXACT replacement to fit your volvo.....its real close to a 24 series but if you measure heigth you will see the volvo battery is shorter. i ran into this with one of my 164's, i had to put a piece of rubber over the positive post to close the hood, it was that close to hitting.

Batteries are like wine, women, song -- and tires, gas, and beer.

Opinions, experiences, preferences, loyalities, and stories are all over the map.

I've bought two Interstate batteries in my life and both let me down badly, even though everybody raves how good Interstate is.

OTOH, I've bought Diehards for my various Volvos (and daughter's VW) for many years. And even though others rave about how crummy Diehards are, I've never had one let me down. I have three now that are over 5 years old. The Diehard (group 46) in my '86 245 was purchased in the spring of '96 and now has around 90k miles on it. It still cranks like new and did so during the bitter cold last winter.

I check my batteries at every oil change and top up using ordinary distilled water (59 cents per gallon at the supermarket).
--
Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)

oil and underwear

not necessarily in that order

good pornt on distilled water

I have had one Die Hard and two Interstates. They were the best batteries I've owned.

The worst were during my poor days (funny thing I had women then) I would buy the cheapest batteries at the cheapest auto place....got what I paid for. I also have had some really shitty OEM batteries in the new cars.

Need any Viagra SPAM? Not sure why they keep sending me that. And somehow barnyard animals don't do it for me, either.
--
Paul's Amsoil and other lubricants

Batteries are rated for their expected months of service life. The more exensive ones (you most likely have one of these) do indeed last a long time, and are usually more cost effective in the long run, provided you keep them serviced with the proper level of distilled water, keep the terminals clean, and your charging system is in good working order. Many batteries are recommended with a prorated money-back guarantee if they fail before their rated life span, so if this is true of your battery make sure to keep the receipt.

Interstate is one of the few firms that still makes the correct Group 46 case.

I just got one at the Interstate distributor for $55.

the price of your battery will depends on its specifications as well as availability. what is the reserve on that as well as cranking amps and cold cranking amps, and how is the warranty?
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Kenric Tam
1990 Volvo 740 base sedan (B230F)
My Volvo 'Project'

It's a lot of money, but mostly because they probably only had one battery of that specific size. You can get ones smaller or larger by a little bit, and they'll usually fit. I have some REALLY big batteries in my 940s, and I used to have a really small one in one of my 240s. THere are a few different sizes that will fit. If you had a lot of time to shop around, you might have found someone to work with that, but usually parts stores give you one listing (probably some sort of liability). I bet they sell the same model listed for a Ford, for $30 less.
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Chris Herbst, near Chicago.

My oldest $40 walmart battery is 4 years old and with no sign of problem. It dates back to when I could still find group 47 types- with the ears. Now I tend to get the group 24 and a large nylon tie wrap. (Have 6 240s) But at my 4 years/$40 you should expect yours to be starting your car in 2012, when the car will be nearly ready for antique plates. But sometimes I have to pay a premium for something I need right away or don't have time to research or shop.
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Art Benstein near Baltimore

You mean Group 46?

Yeah, I can't find Group 46 batteries anywhere (except Sears.. starting at $100).

But after a few people suggested it, I got a direct fit Interstate battery (Group 24CF I believe). Sure it's not labeled Group 46.. but I can't tell the difference... it's even got the little ears and everything.

This was for the friend's wagon.

And then I took a look at my cars. The wagon has an Exide Group 46, the sedan an Interstate 24CF.

No complaints here.

- alex

'85 244 Turbo
'84 245 Turbo

I don't know what the differences are, and I wondered why all the other learned folk were quoting group 46, but I replaced what was in there with like type. Discovered there were two versions (47-1 and 47-2??) with reversed terminals, so you want to make sure the positive is inboard. It worked as regards size and mounting, but perhaps it doesn't have as many plates...

Anyhow, for the earlier cars Interstate suggests the 24CF you mention but for the 1990, they suggest Group 47 . I'm pretty sure I bought the 47 for our 89, but it is storming again, so I'll let that curiosity pass.
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Art Benstein near Baltimore

Ah yes. The later (post 88?) 240s used different batteries. I didn't realize you owned such a new vehicle.

- alex

'85 244 Turbo
'84 245 Turbo

1979 244 DL
1983 242
1984 244 DL
1989 245 GL
1990 244
1991 244
1992 944 (better half's mom)
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Art Benstein near Baltimore

I recently replaced the original battery in my '90 240DL wagon and it cost me roughly $90 as well. Albeit I went through my mechanic but, if I get another 13 years out of this battery it'll be well worth it IMO.

Sam (Portland, ME)

I bought a NAPA battery in CT for our 1986 240 in November 2001.

NAPA part No. 7524

Price before tax $59.99 (shows list price of $81.99)

So far it is on-par with true blue Volvo batteries. Unlike the Die-'Easy' they sell at ________.

Sounds like you paid full list price, prices have probably gone up...

fyi - Some NAPA shops give a discount to AAA members also.

Shoulda gone to walley world... I think you have a over charging condtion which should be looked into... probably the regulator in the ALT went south!

And yes it appears you over filled the battery, but that should have only made a mess, which you still may have, but can't see..... With baking soda in hand and a parts cleaning brush and water go get to it... DO NOT get baking soda inside the new battery!!!!!!

When you begin to clean up the mess in and around the battery tray, and the sides of the battery you will see the baking soda make yellow foam. Expect it.

Wear cloths you planned to toss out as these clothes will probably be runined by the time you are done...

I am not clear on just what is wrong with the washers... Mac

if you like you could e-mail me. mac_muz15@hotmail.com

NAPA batterys are expensive, but it will be the last one you will need for a long while. I bought one for my '88 5 years ago this fall when planning a trip (in December-January) along the spine of the Rockies. It is still cranking like new even though the car may sit for over a month at a time without being driven. Sadly I can't say the same for one of the discount batterys I've bought for another car since. This is a case of you may not always get what you pay for but you will surly pay have to pay for quality.
Dave Shannon
Spring Valley, California (San Diego area)
'84-245 200K+
'84-245T 190K+
'85-244Ti 200K+
'88-240 180K+
'01 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 10K
www.volvo2.homestead.com (Opens new window)

Dave, walley world has good batteries... I tore my 85 turbo down to bare body last Sept.. I left the battery out in NH USA winter and just days ago I fired the car up, just see if the batt weas dead as it was hooked up to the clock, and the radio all winter... This battery is 4 years old now..

If you want to see this car as it is and it sure ain't pretty just now go here and select the Volov Repair Album. And any others you wish..

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/mac_muz15/lst?.dir=/&.src=ph&.view=t

My reason to be here is because the new fender I bought which is pics 3 and 4 is far from correct, and for the life of me I can't find the right part number.

The new and wrong fender is black... Mac

I have three bricks - have bought two batteries over the last year ..one at Walmart for 39.95 - the earlier one at Batteries Plus for 10.00 more (if I recall).

Does sound to me like NAPA is a bit high on that.

Andrew in AL
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'91 940T (198K) , '94 940T (145K) , '92 745T (170K)