How to remove spilled engine oil from alternator?

[KrisZ]

What’s done is done.
Judging from the responses few share my opinion that the little bit of oil is not an issue.

But apparently blasting the alternator with water, or other solvents, followed by a rinse with even more water is actually good. This logic makes no sense to me.

 

[SHOZ]

What’s done is done.
Judging from the responses few share my opinion that the little bit of oil is not an issue.

But apparently blasting the alternator with water, or other solvents, followed by a rinse with even more water is actually good. This logic makes no sense to me.

There is nothing in the alternator that can be harmed by mild solvents or water when not powered. The worst that could happen is either some of the wire epoxy coating on the windings gets removed or damaged or the bearing gets the grease washed out. It would have to be a powerful solvent for that.

But to leave the oil on it/in it, that will get baked into carbon sooner or later and become somewhat conductive.

Hyundai has recalls and warranty issues for oil on the alternators from leaking valve covers.

 

[KrisZ]

There is nothing in the alternator that can be harmed by mild solvents or water when not powered. The worst that could happen is either some of the wire epoxy coating on the windings gets removed or damaged or the bearing gets the grease washed out. It would have to be a powerful solvent for that.

But to leave the oil on it/in it, that will get baked into carbon sooner or later and become somewhat conductive.

Hyundai has recalls and warranty issues for oil on the alternators from leaking valve covers.

We’re talking about a dollar sized splash here, per OP, not a constant oil contamination from an oil leak.

If water is harmless, then so is the oil. How is the oil going to be baked into carbon? Alternators don’t get this hot.

The mental gymnastics continue…

 

[SHOZ]

We’re talking about a dollar sized splash here, per OP, not a constant oil contamination from an oil leak.

If water is harmless, then so is the oil. How is the oil going to be baked into carbon? Alternators don’t get this hot.

The mental gymnastics continue…

So something putting out 50-70 amps spinning in a 175F engine compartment doesn't get hot? LOL just grab one after a nice long drive with the AC on.

The OP wanted to know how to clean it. That's what got plus more if they are interested. Water is splashed on the alternator in the rain, for the most part it will not conduct electricity until loaded with some ions. Oil won't conduct electricity until it gets the lighter compounds cooked off and then turns to carbon.

 

[Pablo]

And I’m sticking with a good electric motor or electrical contact or electronics cleaner would have been more effective and efficient. But whatever at this point. Not worth haggling for a lower price or better looking spouse.

 

[Carmudgeon]

It's incredibly wasteful and costly, but I've used electrical contact cleaner as a degreaser before, in some very tight places where it's impossible to reach, and mechanically scrub using a typical degreaser. It cuts through and dissolves even old, baked on oil/grime instantly, not unlike how brake cleaner behaves. Or using gas to wash dirty parts, as my dad had me do as a kid. A powerful solvent that's designed to dry quickly, leave no residue, and can be plastic safe. There are less strong electronics washes as well.

In this situation, with fresh oil in small quantity, I would have applied a strong solution made with dishwashing liquid, let it soak a bit, and gently rinsed it off. Not nearly as powerful, but cuts grease, doesn't leave residue, and relatively benign in nature without the potential for material harm. I'd expect that anything that it didn't easily remove is the kind of grime that would eventually accumulate in the normal course anyway.

Or, just wiped down what could be reached, and left it alone.

 

[The motor guy]

Doesn't look like much was spilled, leave it alone

 

[ElectroMechanoMan]

The only thing I’d be concerned about is getting oil on the slip rings or brushes. On large AC and DC machines oil and brushes absolutely don’t mix. That being said, I don’t think enough of oil would have made its way to the rings in your alternator because of the small amount involved. As long as you don’t notice any problems, I suggest you wipe up what you can and let it be.

 

[ragtoplvr]

It is the pulley end. The brushes( the thing oil will hurt) are on the other end.

Just leave it alone.

Rod.

 

[TomYoung]

Most responses on this thread are good. Spraying down with electronics cleaner is a solid idea. Brake cleaner is not bad either, but would give some thought to the possibility of the chemical seeping into the bearings. The picture looked pretty clean to me, and a great option, maybe the best, is to do nothing... or wipe down exposed parts with a microfiber.

But there are some bad ideas here, too. Some folks are recommending Simple Green or other All Purpose cleaner. Those all involve dilution with water and are not the way to go.

Then, a few folks from CrazyTown want you to spray or hose down your alternator. Let me repeat: They want you to spray water on your alternator. Have folks forgotten the basics of automobile operation? Nobody who has spent any time under the hood would advocate water on the alternator. Or the fuse box. Even the most ardent detailers urge due caution using water under the hood. Think.

 

[SHOZ]

What you need to be wary of is a solvent that would soften the epoxy winding insulation. The epoxy is what over heats and turns to smoke. It's the only insulation of the winding wire.

Water by itself won't hurt an alternator.

 

[TomYoung]

What you need to be wary of is a solvent that would soften the epoxy winding insulation. The epoxy is what over heats and turns to smoke. It's the only insulation of the winding wire.

Water by itself won't hurt an alternator.

Water will hurt an alternator. When alternators fail, it’s usually contacts, brushes or bearings. Corrosion can contribute. “Epoxy overheats and turns to smoke”? Not sure if that’s true, but it’s not something I have seen ever. Not sure what it has to do with this thread, and certainly doubt that electronics cleaner is going to soften epoxy winding insulation. Keep spraying water on your alternator and keep us posted.

 

[SHOZ]

Water will hurt an alternator. When alternators fail, it’s usually contacts, brushes or bearings. Corrosion can contribute. “Epoxy overheats and turns to smoke”? Not sure if that’s true, but it’s not something I have seen ever. Not sure what it has to do with this thread, and certainly doubt that electronics cleaner is going to soften epoxy winding insulation. Keep spraying water on your alternator and keep us posted.

Yes when the smoke gets out it's the epoxy winding insulation overheating. I usually use a diesel fuel and dawn presoak and then the power wash once a year or two.

You don't suppose there's a chance that an alternator can get wet in the rain do you? Water, the purer the better will not carry very much current.

 

[VersatileGuy]

We’re talking about a dollar sized splash here, per OP, not a constant oil contamination from an oil leak.

If water is harmless, then so is the oil. How is the oil going to be baked into carbon? Alternators don’t get this hot.

The mental gymnastics continue…

You mean right where the rotor and stator spins...and the oil will eventually devour the windings and kill it. Water will dry. Oil does not.

Water vapor, on the other hand, is a threat best dealt with by using the car.