What does the green sticker on your battery say? It might be older than you think. Have you taken it to get tested yet?
If your car dies immediately after removing jumper cables, it’s likely the alternator. Since that’s not happening, it could be a parasitic drain. You might need a shop’s help to track it down.
Ezra said:
If your car dies immediately after removing jumper cables, it’s likely the alternator. Since that’s not happening, it could be a parasitic drain. You might need a shop’s help to track it down.
It doesn’t die right after jumping, but it’s dead after sitting for 6–8 hours while I’m at work. I thought about a parasitic drain, but the weird fluid on the battery concerns me too.
@Leighton
Here’s an idea: jump the car, drive it to charge the battery, then disconnect the positive terminal overnight. If the battery is dead in the morning, it’s the battery. If it starts fine, you’re dealing with a parasitic drain.
@Leighton
If you have an Outback from before 2021, it could be the DCM fuse causing the drain. Check this link: Why Subaru Batteries Are Dying All Across The Country - The Autopian
@Leighton
Use a multimeter to check the battery voltage before trying to start the car. That should tell you a lot.