[DeTomaso] NPC: Losing caps on my battery

[asajay at asajay.com]

I've been driving the Mach I to work on a regular basis now for a few  
weeks.  I recently opened the hood to change the air filter and  
noticed one of the two battery caps was missing.  Three open holes to  
the battery and quite a bit of electrolyte gone.  Telltale signs of it  
having been off for a while abounded.  So I managed to pick up a spare  
cap from a local Napa off a core.  I put it on and it all seemed well,  
nice and tight, etc.

Fast forward about two weeks, I got to change the oil yesterday.  A  
cap is missing AGAIN.  It's starting to look like the battery is  
blowing the caps off.  this time, there was more than just a cursory  
hint of acid being thrown about.  Things are looking ugly in the  
battery corner.

My ammeter does not appear to show any kind of overcharging, but we  
know how reliable a 30 year old ammeter can be.  The only thing that  
makes any sense is that the battery is overcharging, but I've not  
checked it yet.  I'd like to get another cap for it first.

Any idea?

Asa Jay
<yes, I'm looking to buy an Odyysey soon>