I just installed a Bosch Premium battery I got for $88 at Pep Boys on sale and after $20 off coupon. After installing (same size as OEM, looks like the identical battery), I noticed a little elbow tube like a vacuum elbow where the battery was sitting before I installed it.

I'm assuming this is a vent tube connector of some sort? Looks like it is supposed to connect to 3-5mm PVC tubing.

First, where on the battery does that elbow belong? I think it's the positive terminal side.

Second, there's a clear PVC tube of about the right diameter that hasn't been connected to anything for years located to the right of the battery, under the coolant-to-heater core hoses -- is this a battery vent tube?

Third, am I going to have a problem if I don't hook up the battery vent? I'm reading that acid will spit out and damage the firewall if I don't connect to the vent tubing.

Edit: This is the battery. There are tubes on both sides of the top of the battery. Thinking I need to clog one and vent the other.

http://oooo-a3.blogspot.com/2008/11/...8-battery.html

 

Just leave it, there's really no need for a vent tube unless the battery is inside the car.

 

youll be fine. the tube is just to vent fumes away. although if the battery goes bad you will get excess fumes. just had it happen to my truck. if you get a real bad smell, like sulfur, in the cabin, the battery is bad.

 

Basically, what those guys said.

the vent tube depends entirely on the battery that you bought. some batteries, mostly in europe, have a place to put the vent tube. if your battery doesn't have the hole for it, your battery does not need to be vented.

 

The new Bosch group 48 battery does has a vent tube, but about a year ago I saw the clear plastic vent tubing connected to nothing and yanked it out out the car altogether.

The vent tubing is supposed to connect to the battery and then go through a hole in the grommet containing the two coolant tubes (going to the heater core) that's located to the right of the battery.

I have some PVC of the correct size, so some day when I've got the hood popped I'll fix it. Given that the tube was disconnected for presumably 5-10 years, I'm not that worried about it.