Serious alternator cleaning..

[AL92]

I am finishing up my new 2.4 and my alternator is really ugly with dirt,etc. Can I spay the heck out of it with simple green,brake cleaner ,etc and even pressure wash it or will this hurt it.I figure it gets lot of dirt and water in it anyway under there where its mounted.
I almost want to buy a new one just to have it match the rest of the new engine.

 

[SoonToBeDSM06]

There is a coating on those twisting wires so that they don't short out the other ones. I did that in my auto class and sprayed it with brake cleaner and it shorted right when we turned the key. You could use some soap and water for the casing but i wouldn't touch the inside.

 

[Black94DSM]

Autozone or Murrays Auto has specific Cleaners for Alternators. Its like 5 bucks for the can. Works great. My buddy just did it to one of his alternators, turned out great.

 

[sleepyvr4]

get it rebuilt at an alternator shop. They'll bead blast everything, put new bearings in it, and replace the brushes as well. It's about $40-50.

 

[redline6k]

You can use eletrical terminal cleaner to clean it up and it will not harm the alternator.

 

[Detail]

Yes you can, I just did it on a 1g that had a leaky power steering pump on it. The pump had been leaking (then baking) onto the alternator. Spray the shite out of it with some degreaser, Blast it with the pressure washer. Blow it off with compressed air to dry. Then reinstall. Thing works great, still.

 

[gridlyne]

Yes you can, I just did it on a 1g that had a leaky power steering pump on it. The pump had been leaking (then baking) onto the alternator. Spray the shite out of it with some degreaser, Blast it with the pressure washer. Blow it off with compressed air to dry. Then reinstall. Thing works great, still.

I would NOT get any water or cleaner in there but if thats the route you do decide to take, make sure you have the battery unplugged and I'd wait extra long to let it dry completely.

 

[TurboAnything]

I have sprayed my alt with every kind of cleaner and never had a problem.