[66bonne]

I think my Optima battery may be getting weak, it's several years old. I tested voltage at the terminals and got a reading of 12.4. Does that seem a little low ? I tested the battery because the starter is dragging a bit.

Thanks, jim

[sleepy]

Sounds OK to me. if it was below 12 without the motor running I'd worry.have it load tested and have the starter tested for amp draw.

[BVR421]

thats what mine is about 12.4, I just checked it yesterday but I havent charged it for about 6 months, seems like it goes up to 12.75 if I drive the car or charge it with a charger and then check it with motor off. motor running should be about 14v

you should get about 7 years out of it if its like the other 2 I had
they cost way more than a regular bat but around Arizona you are lucky to get 3 years from a regular battery even the best

[66bonne]

Thanks for the answers guys. I'll just have to keep an eye on the battery and the starter. I'll probably be doing some stuff to the motor this summer so it would be a good time to have the starter checked.
BVR421-I hear you about the heat destroying even a good battery. Three years for a regular battery is about it here in Florida too. That's why I went with the Optima. And it probably helps that I have to battery in the trunk.
Thanks, Jim

[george kujanski]

Initially after charging the bat voltage on a good bat will be greater than 12.6. It takes a while for the "surface charge" to bleed off. Once the surface charge has bles off, a good bat will be at 12.6. Lower than 12.6 and the bat is not fully charged, or self discharging internally.

George

[66bonne]

George - thanks for chiming in, your knowledge is appreciated. The battery was fully charged when I got the 12.4 reading yesterday. I just took another reading and got 12.35 [engine not running and master electric switch off].
I'll start the car soon and take a reading. Don't want to run the motor too much as I have a blown head gasket leaking water into the crank case. And the head gasket will have to wait until the Catalina gets back from having a new Moser/Ford 9" rear installed.
Again, thanks to all, Jim

[sleepy]

If it's getting water in the cylinder that would put a drag on the starter. water doesn't compress as easy as air. My 3.8 locked the motor when the lower intake (plastic) went bad and leaked water into one cylinder. The dealer mechanic said he has had several of them bend rods because of that.

[66bonne]

Sleepy - excellent point. Changed the oil this evening - my, my, lots of water in the oil.
Thanks for the tip.

Jim