Battery removal question

[Groto]

Hi,

I have a Z4MR and have completely disconnected the battery except the vent tube. I can't figure out how to remove it and I have searched this forum and other forums. Please help.

Thanks

[StickMon]

It's connected to an elbow at the front of the battery (the front of the car end, that you can't see) near the top center.
Just ease the tube off the elbow or ease the elbow out of the battery.
It's just press fit. No lock tab or anything.

[Groto]

I still couldn't find the spot, but when I stuck my hand back there I felt a skinny flappy tube I didn't know was there. I was talking about the big red one near the back of the trunk on the top of the battery. Do both of those tubes disconnect using the method you described? I jiggled a lot of stuff around back there and nothing came loose. I didn't want to get too tough with it. Thoughts?

[pelerojo]

you can pull the elbow out as it goes into the battery. One end of the elbow connects to the tube and the other into the battery. Either works for removal.

[StickMon]

Originally Posted by Groto

... big red one near the back of the trunk on the top of the battery ...

You mean the positive cable?
Maybe you should post a picture of what you're struggling with.

[polar]

Here is a pic showing the vent tube (white) and elbow (black) after the battery is removed (in a MC).
Just pull the elbow and it will release.

[Groto]

Oh I see. I also mean that big red contraption on top of it too.

[StickMon]

I can't remember exactly, except to remember that it was pretty easy.
There's a bolt in there somewhere that loosens the clamp around the battery post.
The whole business comes off in one piece just like the picture that polar posted.

[Groto]

Hi, I am getting ready to put my battery back in next week or so. I think I had a different type of battery because it appears the vent tube was never connected (the white cable). As far as I could tell it was just sitting back there with an exposed end. Should there be some sort of connector on the end of the tube or do you just shove it in the whole on a compatible battery.

Also, the battery in my Z4MR is an official BMW battery, but I don't see a hole for the vent tube. That black circle on the top looks like its just a charge indicator hole. I am pretty sure the vent tube was just sitting back there behind the battery not plugged into anything. Should I be considered about this battery? Is it even an AGM battery?

Part #: 61 21 7 586 960.

[Groto]

I have another question. My battery cover has 3 holes in the bottom of it to hold it secure over the battery. It appears that my car does not have any of the screws/fasteners. I found this on another forum:

Is this the part I need? fastener is #8, p/n 07147120304 (plug)? I am just guessing that this is correct based on the links... Would I need 3 of these? Does it come with fasterner thing/washer?

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=609849 (Post number 7 specifically)

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...54&hg=51&fg=65

Thanks for all of the help in advance. This is my first year putting the battery back in the car after having it on a trickle charger for winter and I want to make sure I do it properly.

[StickMon]

That battery doesn't look like an AGM.
I think it's a conventional lead/acid.

I would suggest trading it in on an H6 AGM at your favorite auto parts store.
While you're there you can probably find suitable plastic fasteners.
I think the ones above are correct, but hardly worth the online shipping charges.
I think mine only has 2, or possibly the third one's missing and I don't know where's the hole for it.

[Walkurie]

There are 3 holes in the cover and that does look like the right fastener. Two holes on the side, one hole at the rear (bumper) side.

[Groto]

Thanks Guys. What are the advantages of upgrading to a H6 AGM if my current battery works properly?

Also, I don't have the vent plug from the original battery because I bought the car with this battery. If I get an H6-AGM battery where do I get the vent plug? I hear batteries like the Autozone H6 AGM battery does not come with one. Thanks

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Groto

Thanks Guys. What are the advantages of upgrading to a H6 AGM if my current battery works properly?

Also, I don't have the vent plug from the original battery because I bought the car with this battery. If I get an H6-AGM battery where do I get the vent plug? I hear batteries like the Autozone H6 AGM battery does not come with one. Thanks

There is no significant advantage to an AGM battery IMHO except maybe slight reserve capacity. I swapped my OEM AGM for a comparable lead acid when the time came. If you have the correct battery type(it should be group 48) it should have a vent hole on the upper front edge of the battery when it is in place correctly. If yours doesn't it may be the wrong type for the car. I have attached a photo of the vent hole. One has a plug and one has it removed...

[Groto]

Thanks for the info! I will check for that vent hole when I get home. If it does not have the hole with a plug do I definitely need to go buy the correct battery then? If I get the Duralast H6-AGM battery from Autozone do you know where I could find the right size vent plug since it does not come with one? Thanks for your patience with these questions. I am new at this.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Groto

Thanks for the info! I will check for that vent hole when I get home. If it does not have the hole with a plug do I definitely need to go buy the correct battery then? If I get the Duralast H6-AGM battery from Autozone do you know where I could find the right size vent plug since it does not come with one? Thanks for your patience with these questions. I am new at this.

The vent tube on my car was part of the car and not the battery. Make sure to look and see if the previous person tucked it away rather than attaching it. The tube should have a small plastic fitting at the end which slides into the hole in the battery. If you don't have the vent tube at all I would ask a dealer. I think you do need the vent tube since the battery is in the trunk.

[Groto]

I have a white vent tube attached to the car, but there is nothing on the end of it... and I believe it was just hanging free in the car because I think my current battery doesn't have a vent hole... or it was never plugged in. I will confirm when I get home from work later today.

Also, it was my understanding that the Duralast H6-AGM has 2 vent holes which is why you need to plug one of them because the car only has one vent tube. Any thoughts? Thanks again

[StickMon]

The "plug" at the end of the hose is a plastic elbow.
See the pic in post #6.
The clown at AutoZone broke mine when swapping it over to the new battery, dug around and found a similar plastic elbow for windshield washer hose.

I plugged the hole in the other end with a random piece of rubber.

[Groto]

Would this get me what I need? The vent tube I have is just the tube with no end on it.
It looks like this has the plastic end piece and maybe even a plug... I am just not sure if it would fit the current tube I have.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...er=268946_0_0_

[StickMon]

Looks like it would fit. Go there and see if you can just get the elbow, or a similar elbow for washer tubing.

[Groto]

Thanks. I'll see what I can find out.

[Groto]

Looks like it does have a hole. So I just need to get the elbow and use this battery then? Maybe I can get away with this battery and just buy an AGM when this one goes bad.