Battery problems

[JulesV]

I have been a bit of a muppet and not used the Camaro for about two months. Needless to say it will not start. I have put the battery on charge for a couple of hours today but it is still totally dead (will not even light any warning lights). So, should I leave it on charge for longer or is the battery buggered?

[roscobbc]

I wouldn't even think about it - just go replace - sods law is that when you most need a battery (like in this weather) it will let you down. 3/4 years or 40/50K miles use and you are doing well. Don't get fooled into buying an Optima battery - they cost 2/3 times as much as a premium battery and don't allways last as long as you expect.

[Hybrids]

Chances are it's now sulphated and won't take a charge.
Most motor factors and spares shops are not aware of the GM side terminal batteries so unless you have a local clued up one go to a battery specialist (or ask for a Vauxhall/Opel Sintra battery, they were an EU version of the Pontiac Minivan).
Optimas are very good batteries for the size, usually 50% more cranking power than conventional wet batteries, short service life is usually due to poor cycling, not a manufacturing fault.
If I was spending Optima money though I would go for an Odyssey....

[JulesV]

Thanks, I thought it was buggered but just thought that I might be able to coax it into life. Hybrids, would a Sintra battery definately fit my 4th Gen Camaro?

[Hybrids]

JulesV said:

Hybrids, would a Sintra battery definately fit my 4th Gen Camaro?

The battery listed for the Sintra has the correct American GM side terminals, the box size on my listing is 230x180x185,I have supplied this in the past for 4th Gens. there is a more powerful version 260x180x185 but may be too long.

[LuS1fer]

Just make sure it has a minimum 550CCA rating, preferably more.

[RT/M]

Put an Optima red top Battery in there, thats what i have in mine, they are Gel Batteries, can be mounted anyway, side ways, upside down, whatever it dont matter, they are a bit expensive but well worth it, and it wont let you down, they are about 814CCA

[Hybrids]

RT/M said:

Put an Optima red top Battery in there, thats what i have in mine, they are Gel Batteries, can be mounted anyway, side ways, upside down, whatever it dont matter, they are a bit expensive but well worth it, and it wont let you down, they are about 814CCA

Being a battery muppet I do need to say that Optima are not Gel, they are AGM (absorbed Glass Mat), Gel does not lend itself well to high cranking operations, AGM does.
You can mount them on their side, but not invert them.
The red top 4.2 are as RT/M says 815CCA, I think the 4.2 is too big for the 4th Gen, we used to supply a Red Top 3.7 which is around 715cca IIRC.