over charging

[84CUCV]

it a 98 c1500 with a 5.0. says i am getting 14v. been that way for a long time. under the hood a short time back. battery is leaking. there is white powder all down the side and fender. i put a meter on the alt said it about 14v. alt was rebuilt 3 years ago.

so could the battery be shot? its only 3 years old. thanks

 

[88sub4x4]

14v while engine is running is about right. 13.6 - 14.4 I believe is the acceptable range. Any higher though and it's no good. As for the battery being bad, is is very possible. The alternator is internally regulated to detect how much amperage is needed to supply the vehicle and recharge the battery. If it is just putting out full amperage then you have a problem. While the voltage output is important, also make sure you check the amperage output. A VAT-40 machine works well and is easy to use.
Also, what are you using as the basis for the 14 reading. The gage in the truck is no where near accurate so you should be using a voltmeter.

 

[84CUCV]

yes i used a voltmeter on it. said 14 thanks for the reply

 

[throttleissues]

Side post batteries are notorious for leaking around the posts. I've had several problems with that myself, but 14.0V is acceptable. Overtorqueing the battery terminal bolts or having too long of a bolt make them leak sooner.

 

[84CUCV]

thanks