Can a swollen battery be repaired?
4 Answers
If the float charge voltage is set too high and the charging current is large, it will accelerate the rate of oxygen evolution on the positive plate, which cannot be recombined at the negative plate in time. At the same time, the temperature inside the battery rises rapidly. When the exhaust is not timely and the pressure reaches a certain level, the valve-regulated sealed lead-acid battery will bulge and deform. Extended information: If the battery has been used for 4-5 years, it can be considered to sell it as scrap. If the usage time is around 2 years, it can be reused. The severity of the swelling and bulging should be assessed. If it is not severe and there are undamaged plates inside, these plates can be reused. If the bulging is severe, the plates inside may be deformed, in which case the battery should be sold as scrap.
Last time the battery in my car bulged, so I rushed to the repair shop to ask about it. They said it was caused by excessive internal pressure and couldn't be repaired at all. This situation is mostly caused by overcharging, high temperatures, or aging after prolonged use. The chemicals inside the battery have deformed, like a balloon that's been blown up too much. If you insist on messing with it, there might be risks of leakage or even explosion. Nowadays, I just buy a new one directly—a battery costs a few hundred bucks, which isn't too expensive, and safety is the top priority. Usually, it's important to regularly check that the caps aren't blocked and unplug the charger once charging is done to reduce the chances of this problem occurring.
My old car battery is swollen like a steamed bun, which happens from overcharging or aging that cracks the casing. I've seen this a few times—it's beyond repair. The plastic separators and plates inside are deformed, and the chemical materials are ruined. How do you expect to restore that? Forcing a repair would just cause acid leaks or worse, an explosion. My advice is don't skimp on this—head to the auto shop for a new battery pronto. By the way, old batteries need professional recycling; improper disposal harms the environment. Next time you spot swelling, replace it early to avoid trouble.
A swollen battery is a clear sign of failure, mainly caused by internal short circuits or overuse preventing gas release. As someone with repair experience, I've seen customers try DIY fixes to save money, only to have electrolyte corrode their car chassis. Once the structure is compromised, it's beyond repair – not worth the effort and risks hand injuries. Just replace it; modern batteries outperform old ones significantly. Remember to visit a professional shop where they dispose of old batteries responsibly.
