Dropped in a new starter motor and a optima red battery today. Man, all I can say is WOW.... this thing now fires up like a brand new car. No more long/ irregular cranks at start up for me! Plus, that new optima red has 800 cold cranking amps compared to my old sh!tty interstate's 550!

Checked out my flywheel while the starter was out, looked pretty good for 90K. No major visible wear. The old starter motor's spindles were pretty worn down though, which would explain why the car would some times take forever to start up.

Not really that interesting, but I thought I would share.

 

Where'd you get the Red Top from? How much was it?

 

Dood I cant find a place that sells Optima Red Batteries!!!

 

Autozone and Advanced auto sell them.

 

Err...I gotta drive 25~30min to a nearest Autozone...

 

Costco has 'em for $99.. check there

SY
sycefiro@yahoo.com

 

So I've been having some problems with my I30 lately, its been making a weird squealing noise whenever it starts up after being left cold overnight. It cranks for 5 seconds and then turns over to produce the loud squeal (very annoying, especially 6am in the morning with neighbors still asleep). It doesn't do this when the car's been warmed up and starts fine with no noise. I've gotten the starter changed (twice might I add), and now I'm sure it's not the source of the problem. After reading this thread, I'm think it may be my 'flywheel'? I don't know much about cars, but I know I've got a problem coming if I don't get this fixed before winter hits. Does anyone have any ideas? How much would replacing a flywheel cost?

 

Check your belts first. They may be slipping when cold.

 

Regrease your starter, the howto is in the 4th gen howto's

 

I got the optima red from a little local auto parts store (broadway automotive). I was going to get another interstate for $80, but then I saw they had a sale on the optima batteries for $120 (down from $180), so I said screw it and got the optima.

I know that car quest sells them too.

 

I had that noise too, but putting on the new starter got rid of it. Since you have already changed the starter twice, I would think that it should still be well greased. So the problem is probably belt related. There is a particular spray that you can buy from auto part stores the you put on the belts and it eliminates squeeking. You do NOT want to mess with the flywheel. You have to remove the transmission to get to it, and it is not the source of your squeeking.

 

What about a Yellow Top? Where can I find them? Same types of places and what's the average/normal price on those?

 

If they carry the red they should also carry the yellow. The guys at the parts store said they all red tops, and the yellows were mainly for compacts like Civics, Integras, Sentras, etc.... I think the red, yellow, and blues, are all the same price the only difference is it's intended application.

 

You act like 25 minutes is far... WTF???


For those that wanted to know the differences... Simple research!
http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/
http://www.dcbattery.com/optima2.html
http://www.dcbattery.com/optima_yellow.html

 

Gas is goin' up crazy dood! I don't like driving anywhere farther than 15min, I usually take my sis' or aunt's car when they're not home.

 

LOL...

 

What in the hell was he talking about....??? Man red tops, yellow tops are not for specific cars! Read at Dcbattery.com and 1stoptima.. The links are in this thread

 

What the hell are you talking about...??? I said "intented applications"... but even 1stoptima states on the chart that the MOST of the yellows are for small/ medium-small cars, the reds are all medium sized cars.... I think Civics and Integras can be considered small-medium cars hence the reason those parts guys told me that yellows usually go into them, and reds go into Maximas, Zs, and other "larger rides"....

Oh by the way 1stoptima is out dated. The entire product line has changed, seeing that my red top with 800 CCA is not even listed among many other optima batteries...

 

Red top optima's are designed to give high peak power for like cranking the starter time after time, yellow tops are designed for giving constant power in a flat even line for a long time like big ICE installs. Blue tops are designed for navy applications.

Size of the car doesn't matter, battery capasity does, just buy a optima with the capasity that suites your car. The Red top is a real superb batary for starting your car every time in a perfect way!

GreetZ, Maximus