This past Sunday I had just finished lunch, got in my car, turned the key and my battery literally exploded

There was no indication anything was wrong prior to it. It was like someone was trying to plant a bomb in my car. The explosion blew the battery casing off and cracked the latches on it. When i brought it to the mechanie (non mini) since the dealer was closed, they mmentioned those batteries need to be properly ventilated. I told them I recently had work done on the car (steering column) as recerntly as wednesday and they mentioned that the battery may have not been properly replaced back in when the dealer disconnected it though there is no way to confirm that.

So a tow and battery replacement later I am out $160. Do I have a case reimbursement from the dealer considering they were the last people to touch the battery or do you think they will laugh at me?

Any thought?

 

You most likely had something ruptured inside the battery causing an internal short. Same thing happened to my best friend when he was disconnecting his battery and it blew up right in his face. He's fine now. His accrylic lensed glasses were the only things that save his eyes. If they were glass he'd be blind.

I doubt you'll get anything out of the dealer. These things happen. I'm just glad to hear that noone was hurt. A lot of people take for granted how dangerous batteries are.

 

Well that was the first thing the mechanic said on the phone..."Don't touch it." I feel kind fortunate considering the damage I saw to the casing and the sound it made when it blew up. I am still curious though as to what caused it and how it can be avoided in the future. Makes me a little nervous.

 

crazy stuff

 

Maybe the battery vent line was disconnected or improperly routed out of the case and the vented gases (O2 and H2) filled up the battery case then exploded.

 

Do a google search. This is much more common than you might think.

I'm happy you are OK.

 

is insuracne covering it?

 

I would think that would be a Comprehensive claim.

 

Nope. Dealer did not take fault and said pretty much what was stated here which was that it was more common than you would think. Now that is scary. I can't imagine how common it is. Nor could the mechanic who replaced the battery. He looked puzzled and shocked even.