E34 battery replacement

[Jim Walsh <jimw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I remember reading something a while back on this list about external
venting being required for an E34 battery because of their location under
the passenger seat (at least in my '91 E34 M5).  What replacements have
people successfully used?

I just went out and checked the battery, and I'm not impressed with the
independent BMW shop that supposedly did a full charging system check and
said all was fine except 'battery was low - put on charger'.  Of course it's
low - that's why I had them check, because the darn thing barely turns over!
All 6 cells were low on water, and one of the 3-cell covers was completely
loose.  Either they left it loose or didn't check, either inexcusable in a
complete charging system check.

The current battery is a replacement.  I see no vinyl tubes or anything that
look like it would have been hooked up to the original for venting - how
does the battery venting work?  Since I've been driving this for a few years
without venting with no apparent ill effects, how important is it to worry
about?

Thanks,

Jim

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