Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

5 points

Swollen battery mid-2007 MacBook

OK so my MacBook is ancient but the battery has been fine up until yesterday. I've looked after it carefully and although it's been through many cycles (it's not installed right now and I can't remember exactly how many) it's still at 91% and was giving 3 or 4 hours of use. Yesterday it suddenly swelled up and I've decided not to use it as the MacBook won't sit flat with it installed. Does anyone know if the time limit for free replacement of these obviously defective batteries has expired? My guess is yes, given that the laptop is 6 years old, but I have also heard that there is no time limit for this particaulr issue. Anyone out there know if I can try for a free replacement? (I'm in the UK btw -- not too far from a store).

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.8), C2D 2.16GHz, 2Gb, 120Gb

Posted on Aug 23, 2013 3:53 AM

21 replies

sfthomas Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 27, 2013 9:17 AM in response to hexonxonx

Yeah I've seen the vids about pricking the battery compartments to release the gas. I haven't tried it as yet but I might if all else fails. This really is a pain in the a**.

xen01

Level 1

0 points

Sep 26, 2013 3:40 PM in response to sfthomas

same issue on a 2007 macbook pro. took it to local apple store (pacific centre - vancouver) and was told that "it is normal that the battery swells, potential breaks other stuff in the process & gets jammed in the laptop". Total BS. Had previous good experience with apple and store but this one definately a case of apple being evil.

Calling applecare to see where that goes and also just ordered a replacement from battdepot ($57 CAD all in with 1 year guarantee). $129 for a battery? No thanks Apple.

sfthomas Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 27, 2013 3:12 AM in response to xen01

I've given up on this for now. While I don't need to take my MacBook out so much I'll just run it on mains. Maybe eventually I'll buy a 3rd-party replacement. I don't want to spend too much as I hope to get a new Mac in the not too distant future -- although with Apple's obsession with the iPhone and iPad I'm a little concerned about their long term plans for the Mac. Still, that's another discussion.

mumsile

Level 1

0 points

Sep 27, 2013 9:04 AM in response to sfthomas

I have ordered a 'fake' battery on amazon for £22. It arrived already SWOLLEN!

have ofcourse returned it and was duely reimbursed.i have since heard nasty things about these cheap chinese fakes and as i refuse to fork out over £100 for the original, for the moment i am connected to mains only.

Still, this does not exepmt Apple from responsibility and being well aware of the problem, Apple should offer a replacement battery for a reasonable price (around £30 i reckon)

sfthomas Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 29, 2013 8:48 AM in response to mumsile

Yeah, I'm reluctant to buy a 3rd-party battery in case it causes damage. Still running on mains only for now. 😀

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,102 points

Sep 29, 2013 9:16 AM in response to sfthomas

When the battery is still in, inspect it regularly for swelling, it may damage the insides of your macbook.

In the Applications/Utilities choose SystemInformation. In the left column there is "Power", read about battery health: number of cycles and Battery health. Post it here.

Swollen battery mid-2007 MacBook