custom alternator cover

[spyderdrifter]

So I'm sure some of you here have had issues with damaged alternators due to steering fluid leaking from the pump onto it, or however else it'll leak onto the alt. I just went through this problem and decided to make a solution. I measured my bad alt. and built a temporary "drip shield" to avoid the obvious. It didn't fit completely when I tried putting it in, since I took measurements of the alt when it was removed from the car. However, I'm working on a better design now and will be building the shield from stainless steel. If any of you on here are interested in obtaining one, I'll be happy to post the schematics so you can have one built. Dimensions aren't yet finished but should be this weekend along with possible pics. Let me know what you all think.

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

I like your creative attitude, but wouldn't it be more beneficial to just fix whatever is leaking onto the alternator?

 

[TSITurbo95]

^ X2, but creative none the less. Pics when possible though.

 

[talonDSMerr]

I don't know what your design looks like, but take into consideration that alternators get hot when they run, but are also close to parts (turbo, downpipe) that get even hotter. If you encase the entire alternator, you might bake it in short order. If you shield the top from dripping and the passenger side of the alternator from exhaust heat radiation, it would theoretically work as a heat shield too, just keep the driver side of the alternator open to the air so heat isn't trapped within. Otherwise, great idea and I look forward to seeing the final product!

 

[97gst_spyder]

What he said^.

I've been through 3 Saturn alts in the last 2 months. Pretty sure its all due to heat. The bearings keep going out.

 

[spyderdrifter]

I am in the process of fixing the leak problem, but want to have the drip shield there in case it happens again and I don't notice it right away. Just a little preventive maintanence. As of right now, it only covers the top, and 3/4 of an inch on each side. I didn't want to encase the alt because of it's location being a high temp area.

TalonDSMerr: would it be a wise move to shield the alt on it's passenger side from the turbo/ exhaust heat? That's not something I thought about until now. My plan was just the shield on top so it still has air flow. But if that's something that would work, I'll throw it into the design.

Thanks for the input (from all of you).

 

[dsmTripp]

I don't know what your design looks like, but take into consideration that alternators get hot when they run, but are also close to parts (turbo, downpipe) that get even hotter. If you encase the entire alternator, you might bake it in short order. If you shield the top from dripping and the passenger side of the alternator from exhaust heat radiation, it would theoretically work as a heat shield too, just keep the driver side of the alternator open to the air so heat isn't trapped within. Otherwise, great idea and I look forward to seeing the final product!

Completely agree with keeping the one side open. As for the leaking yea you can fix the leaks but what if your out driving and some line goes and then your alt goes. I think the shield is a good precautionary step to not going through alternators.

 

[GDNF2ET]

This 1st pic is the shield I made for the PS..Its made of FRP..Its real durable and easy to cut with snips..There is a self tapping screw holding it to the bracket under the pump. The bracket is very thick and had to be drilled first..

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The other pics are of the shield I made to protect the alt from downpipe heat.. It is held on by the loose rear PS bolt

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The frp comes in 4'x8' sheets..Of coarse you can make it out of anything really..

 

[talonDSMerr]

TalonDSMerr: would it be a wise move to shield the alt on it's passenger side from the turbo/ exhaust heat? That's not something I thought about until now. My plan was just the shield on top so it still has air flow. But if that's something that would work, I'll throw it into the design.

Yes, I do think it would be a wise move. Any sort of barrier between 1200*F exhaust parts and the alternator will only prolong the life of the alternator. The better thing to do would be to make heat shields on your exhaust parts to keep the heat trapped there instead of making a shield for the alternator trying to keep the heat out, but since you're already working on an alternator drip shield, it may as well serve another purpose!

The exhaust parts act as one big heat source, so covering the passenger side of the alternator with a heat shield serves to reflect some of the radiating heat. Polishing the side of the shield facing the exhaust parts (or even wrapping in aluminum foil) would give your alternator the best protection from the radiating heat from the exhaust.

BUT because the alternator is designed for convection cooling (airflow flowing over/through it), you should leave the other sides open to free air, where there are no heat sources.

 

[spyderdrifter]

You all have had some very good insight/ ideas to add and I appreciate it all. I will go ahead and add the extra metal to help reflect the exhaust heat, but I'll make it wide enough to give the alternator a little more breathing room to aide the air flow from the driver side.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Well, I just got the chance to screw around with my drip shield again today, and the temp one I made, doesn't even come close to fitting now, since I built it off measurements I took when the alt was out of the car. I'm now thinking it may just be better to build a drip pan sort of thing for the bottom of the steering pump that'll let the fluid flow away from the alt, and I won't have to worry about heat being trapped within an alt shield. Gonna try this new idea out next weekend when I pull the radiator out during my wire harness swap.