I was using a flexible hose funnel to refill the engine oil. After the funnel got about a half of a quart of oil in it the flex hose let it tip over perfectly aimed at my alternator, most all of the oil in the funnel went into the alternator. I don't know whether to try to clean it out with contact cleaner or maybe just leave it alone thinking the oil would do less damage than the cleaning. Any ideas?
oil spilled into alternator
- Thread starter itssoeasy
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Thats a tough call. I would remove it and use brake cleaner to wash oil back out the top- the way it came in. Other choice os to dismantle and clean it thoroughly. Dry it completely with compressed air. Most expensive option-new alternator and funnel.
ShaunBlake
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Yep, I'd be leery of using it without flushing out the oil - I'd expect the oil he used would be a very good quality conductor!
However, I also would be apprehensive about using brake cleaner -- wouldn't that dissolve the shellac insulating the windings? Using mineral spirits or similar would flush the oil, and would evaporate without leaving problematic residue - just not as fast (or as clean) as brake cleaner
North Idaho Wolfman
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It's not going to a whole lot of negative things besides attract a little dust and dirt.
Use a simple soap just to get out the bulk of the oil out of it, spray it in and rinse it with water.
Any complicated cleaner like brake parts cleaner, carburetor cleaner, or any acidic cleaner will not only damage the varnish in the alternator, but will also strip the good oil and grease out of the bearings.
Use a simple soap just to get out the bulk of the oil out of it, spray it in and rinse it with water.
Any complicated cleaner like brake parts cleaner, carburetor cleaner, or any acidic cleaner will not only damage the varnish in the alternator, but will also strip the good oil and grease out of the bearings.
Dawn dish soap and water rinse it out NOT high pressure blow it out if you have a compressor of just let it dry before using.. Shouldn't be much of a problem even if you didn't wash it out,, might get really yucky with dust and stuff
Hi all,
Bummer, I hate when that happens!
Fyi, Clean Oil is not a conductor of electricity.
It is used as an insulator in high voltage transformers.
Leaving it will attract dirt and dust.
You may want to wrap it in a towel and put it in a bucket and use some centrifugal force to drive it out.
Radio shack has a cleaner for electronics that should work.
http://www.radioshack.com/precision-electronics-cleaner/6404345.html#q=Cleaner&start=1
Ray
Bummer, I hate when that happens!
Fyi, Clean Oil is not a conductor of electricity.
It is used as an insulator in high voltage transformers.
Leaving it will attract dirt and dust.
You may want to wrap it in a towel and put it in a bucket and use some centrifugal force to drive it out.
Radio shack has a cleaner for electronics that should work.
http://www.radioshack.com/precision-electronics-cleaner/6404345.html#q=Cleaner&start=1
Ray
I dont know how many of you have had the pleasure of cleaning up fresh new motor oil, soap and water makes a very nice slime. Read the can before you use the brake cleaner-some wont harm paint. As far as a water base cleaner-simple green is excellent.its my go to cleaner for many purposes.
I should have pointed out the part about the shellac. Tough as it is, some things will dissolve it. I guess a rinse with methyl hydrate after soap/water finished with a compressed air blow dry might do it.
I should have pointed out the part about the shellac. Tough as it is, some things will dissolve it. I guess a rinse with methyl hydrate after soap/water finished with a compressed air blow dry might do it.
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Numerous aerosol electric motor cleaners available on the market, Gunk, CRC, NAPA & others most non-flammable. Get a can, throw an old rag under it and spray it out real well. Let it dry on its own or blow it out gently with your compressor regulator set to about 20 PSI.
You could leave it alone and it'll work just peachy, but the oil will accumulate a lot of dust and create that nasty crud that causes problems over time.
You could leave it alone and it'll work just peachy, but the oil will accumulate a lot of dust and create that nasty crud that causes problems over time.
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Probably not the answer you want to hear, but I would take the unit off and have my local starter/alternator rebuilder tear it down and clean it up. They could also inspect it for wear and properly lube it back up. Not a big deal for ME, as I deal with my local rebuilder all the time. Your situation may be different.
CaveCreekRay
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If your gonna have to remove and replace it one of these days anyway...
Let it sit for a day or two (if you can). 90% will drip out anyway.
I'd blast it with a liberal dose of citrus cleaner -that will take out the worst of it. Try to aim the cleaner and water down through the case as much as possible, keeping the bearings clear. Impossible but at least try.
Hit it with air immediately afterwards.
START IT UP and let it idle for a few minutes to dry out the innards.
You should be good to go.
I have gotten alternators wet on several vehicles with no problems to date as long as you dry them off reasonably quickly.
Let it sit for a day or two (if you can). 90% will drip out anyway.
I'd blast it with a liberal dose of citrus cleaner -that will take out the worst of it. Try to aim the cleaner and water down through the case as much as possible, keeping the bearings clear. Impossible but at least try.
Hit it with air immediately afterwards.
START IT UP and let it idle for a few minutes to dry out the innards.
You should be good to go.
I have gotten alternators wet on several vehicles with no problems to date as long as you dry them off reasonably quickly.