ps pump and alternator

[oldman]

I'm the most unlucky person I know, this is my 3rd ps pump. Anyway I just install the pump, fill up the fluid, got back into the car and start to bleed it. When I got back out to the enginebay, WTF fluid shooting out of the pump pulley seal and it's all over my alternator and drive belts. I will be removing everything tomorrow (too cold outside) so I can wipe everything down. Here are my questions:

1. Should I just get new belts again? They are brand new.
2. Do I need to take apart my alternator or can I just wipe down the outside and let the rest burn off?
3. Would you guys go for 4th try or just pay $160 for a new one? Am I really that unlucky?

 

[x camaro owner]

why don't you just replace the seal. take the pump apart and replace the seal why spend $180 for a new one when all you need is a few dollars in seals. if the internals are fine.
go to a power wash and power the alternator if your paranoid about something you don't understand. and if your afraid to power wash it then don't drive in the rain or through puddles because it might get soaked there to

clean the belts off and reuse them if they don't squeel get the rest of the life out of them that you can

 

[steve]

1. Should I just get new belts again? They are brand new.
2. Do I need to take apart my alternator or can I just wipe down the outside and let the rest burn off?
3. Would you guys go for 4th try or just pay $160 for a new one? Am I really that unlucky?

1- Quickly wash the belts before the fluid has it's way.
2 - Get some electrical cleaner at the auto parts store and flush it out.
3- You have a bunch of pumps now. One of them has to be fit for a rebuild kit.

Steve

 

[x camaro owner]

you don;t have to go out and by the expense electrical cleaner because an alternator works off induction. the electrical cleaner will help to remove surface oxidation on microscopic level. which doesn't matter because the coil of the alternator is already coated, for protection so not even oil will get through that, plus a surface coating of oil will have no effect on the flux density created.

 

[steve]

The PS fluid attacks the brushes and the enamel insulating the wire.

The electrical cleaning spray will flush out the PS fluid but not harm the plastics, brushes, and insulation.

Steve

 

[x camaro owner]

which is why you power wash it cuz it is cheaper.

now if you soak it over night is a bucket of powersteering fluid aka atf then the electric stuff would help but i would use soemthing better

 

[oldman]

1- Quickly wash the belts before the fluid has it's way.
2 - Get some electrical cleaner at the auto parts store and flush it out.
3- You have a bunch of pumps now. One of them has to be fit for a rebuild kit.

Steve

Thanks Steve. Can I flush it with it in the car or should I remove it, alternator that is. I picked up another pump for $15 just to see if I can get 4/4, if not I'll go with rebuild kit.

 

[steve]

Thanks Steve. Can I flush it with it in the car or should I remove it

As long as you can reach down in there and flush it good it can stay on the car.
If the PS pump is out of the way it shouldn't be too difficult.

Steve

 

[x camaro owner]

just want to say that 2 electrical engineers looked at this and we had a good laugh at steve


one engineer didn't know jack about jack when it comes to cars and he still got a good laugh because he knows the design to.

thanks for the kicks

 

[steve]

Glad I could provide you with some amusement.

Steve

 

[oldman]

Just got the pump and all the belts off and spray down the alternator real well. Thank you Steve for the motivation or else i would've waited till tomorrow. Damn it's cold, I'm sure it's worse in IL. I'll let you know how the NEWER pump works out tomorrow.


BTW I had a good laugh as well but for a completely different reason.

 

[oldman]

All done and all is good. Thanks again.