iPhone has swollen battery - Advice?

[goomba38]

Alright,

First off, I am glad to have finally joined this community. I have thought about it, and I don't know why I didn't do it earlier... Because I've been having some issues.

I have been offered an iPhone 3GS by a friend, and he wants 80 for it, but there is one issue. The battery.

The battery is bloated. There is no visible damage to the insides, however, what I really want to know is what causes this issue. If I can replace the battery, that's no issue. However, I want to know if I do bother to buy a new battery, will it actually work? Or is the bloating issue a problem with the iPhone itself?

If I can replace the battery, which online store would you recommend? Also, how could I avoid having a bloating battery again? I do not know anything about the phone other than it is an iPhone 3GS 16GB, and that there is no other physical damage to the phone.

I thank all who answer, and once again, I hope I am welcome to the forum!

[dknowle]

Usually happens from prolonged exposure to high heat. The rest of the phone is likely OK, but personally I wouldn't pay $80 for it.

[cjmnews]

Run away, do not buy that phone. The battery is at risk of leaking.

[Sparkee]

My battery on my MacBook Pro just swelled up just about doubling in thickness on one end with in a week. A long with the other risks I would also worry about physical damage to other near by circuit boards due to the tight fit of the components in the iPhone. Besides, around here you can get a new 8Gb iPhone 4 for $49 and I see the 32Gb iPhone 4 is on sale for the same price, with a contract of course.

[ipod rescue]

Just buy a new battery off ebay and replace it. It's a fairly simple job and the phone will be fine.
just make sure you get the correct battery as there is a difference between the 3G and the 3GS, the battery you are looking for should have the last set of digits beginning with a 04.

if you have 616 - 04xx its for 3Gs
if you have 616 - 03xx its for 3G


here's a youtuibe clip showing you how to do it.
iPhone 3G and 3GS Battery Replacement - YouTube