Wet around battery poles?

[RigoX]

Hi guys,

This might be a silly question :confused:, but is it normal that the area around the battery poles in my Mk5 is wet?
Checked oil etc. today at a service station. As the battery cover was not clicked in properly I opened it and saw the wet spots.
Car was running for a while and it was a hot day, if that is relevant(?).

Here two pictures I took:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2011/10/2wnwkep-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2011/10/210glkg-1.jpg

Cheers,
RigoX

[Transporter]

Put some baking soda on it, if it foams and colour goes gree/blue than it was from the battery.

[RigoX]

Hi Transporter, are you serious? Can give it a try, but what would it mean if it's from the battery? Cheers

[brad]

If it's greasy then it's probably melted petroleum jelly (Vasso). Do what Transporter said & recoat with Vasso

[Transporter]

Hi Transporter, are you serious? Can give it a try, but what would it mean if it's from the battery? Cheers

It means that the battery acid is leaking around the terminals. In that case I'd replace the battery. Were the terminals dry, last time you had the bonnet up?
If it’s grease just recoat as brad said.

[RigoX]

Will check with baking soda when I get home. Battery is new (a month or so)... that was also when I looked at the battery last... thanks for the help so far... will update later...

[Transporter]

Then, it's most likely just the grease that was used on the contacts. :)

[RigoX]

Thanks guys!

Tested it with the baking soda - no reaction. In cold condition (turned off engine) it turned out to be more greasy.
So all good! Probably got to worried over nothing...

Enjoy your weekend!