Alternator cleaning!

[Alun450]

Ive removed my alternator for cleaning, it has old burnt oily stuff covering the inner workings,
As its off the car can I use liquid to clean etc it will be in doors for a wk so can dry out again!

Is it a bad idea.

I've been polishing the casing and it looks classic but now it looks nasty inside, I'm thinking of using petrol or similar and a tooth brush to just wash off the crud.
Will that harm anything. As long as its totally dry it shouldn't short or anything when its re fitted ,,,,,,, or will it?
Thanks.

[ChilliWhizz]

Alun450 said:

Ive removed my alternator for cleaning, it has old burnt oily stuff covering the inner workings,
As its off the car can I use liquid to clean etc it will be in doors for a wk so can dry out again!

Is it a bad idea.

I've been polishing the casing and it looks classic but now it looks nasty inside, I'm thinking of using petrol or similar and a tooth brush to just wash off the crud.
Will that harm anything. As long as its totally dry it shouldn't short or anything when its re fitted ,,,,,,, or will it?
Thanks.

Pictures Alun, we need pictures

[Harrytsg]

What did you use to polish the casing?

[QBee]

Suggest you pop it along to an auto electrician....

[JohnC35]

I would suggest brake cleaner and a tooth brush.

I think they look great gently polished, but as has been said, some detail and pictures would brighten our sunday afternoon.....

John

[Alun450]

Bloody hell Qbee, what have I done!
I've used a wire drill attachment and just used the battery gun to gently scratch away at it. Its all shiny already!
I just need a polishing mop to buff it up!

I've been looking at it for months thinking I should clean that and two hours after I started it looks the nuts.

I can't turn the telli on without a blown fuse so posting pics, your avin a laugh ain't ya!

Someone will have to show me.

I've gone back to the dark ages, no computer!??
Its a pita so sooner or later I'll buy a new one!

Can't use an iPhone properly let alone a computer.

So how do I post pics from an iPhone? I'll ask my son to show me sometime.

Soon as its finished I'll pop a pic of it installed.

I've offered it up and yeee haaa it looks lovely.

I'm st at most things but I can polish my rocket pretty good!??!

[macdeb]

Just done mine but can't upload as over 2mb, how to change?

[QBee]

macdeb said:

Just done mine but can't upload as over 2mb, how to change?

Assuming you are on the computer Mac, then open the photo in the basic photo editing program your computer came with, then either save it as lower resolution, or if it won't do that, crop the photo down a bit to get within the 2mb.

Alun, I have IPhone, Ipad and Mac Computer, and can only post pics from the computer. They have to be attached using "upload an image" just above the typing window, which means you have to find the saved photo on your device.....which for me is the problem on everything except the computer.

Edited by QBee on Sunday 19th January 18:33

[Alun450]

Mac your not asking me are ya, hey dude that's a one handed wheelie ( profile pic )
Go on boy.

I've ruined a few chains back in the day. Lol

Much respecto.

[portzi]

Alun450 said:

Bloody hell Qbee, what have I done!
I've used a wire drill attachment and just used the battery gun to gently scratch away at it. Its all shiny already!
I just need a polishing mop to buff it up!

I've been looking at it for months thinking I should clean that and two hours after I started it looks the nuts.

I can't turn the telli on without a blown fuse so posting pics, your avin a laugh ain't ya!

Someone will have to show me.

I've gone back to the dark ages, no computer!??
Its a pita so sooner or later I'll buy a new one!

Can't use an iPhone properly let alone a computer.

So how do I post pics from an iPhone? I'll ask my son to show me sometime.

Soon as its finished I'll pop a pic of it installed.

I've offered it up and yeee haaa it looks lovely.

I'm st at most things but I can polish my rocket pretty good!??!

I have just cleaned my outercasing like you. Instead of using a wire brush wheel, l used a emery cloth flap wheel to take off all the rough casting finish

" On no account get any water or wet solutions near the alternator, you don't want it getting wet inside!!!. I got this knowledge from an alternator refurbishment company."

Just use a compressed airline to blow out all the lose Ali dust from the alternator workings, and cover up the bearing best you can.

[Alun450]

After seeing that and looking at mine,,,,,,,,, I need said wheel, I'll get one.
So the big alternator bracket, I haven't looked but is it easy to take off.
Have you also done the tensioner casting!
My alternator is slightly different ( late model)
That looks lovely, that didnt take two hrs I bet!
Al.

[portzi]

Alun450 said:

After seeing that and looking at mine,,,,,,,,, I need said wheel, I'll get one.
So the big alternator bracket, I haven't looked but is it easy to take off.
Have you also done the tensioner casting!
My alternator is slightly different ( late model)
That looks lovely, that didnt take two hrs I bet!
Al.

A lot longer!!.the castings are of a very course finish, which you dont realise until you start removing material !! I reckon about a day with cups of tea and food in between. The buffing was only about 20 mins,using a sisal polishing mop mounted in a lathe. Unfortunately you have to use polishing compound on the mop to get the desired finish which was my only concert of this getting into the alternator. I used scotchbrite wheels in a corded drill, which has more torque than my cordless, on the tensioner casting to get into the tricky bits.not got any pics of this

Mark

[Alun450]

You've lightened it!
Yeah a big job getting it like that!
Looks great.

[MADMAX2]

macdeb said:

Just done mine but can't upload as over 2mb, how to change?

Mac,s alternator look the dogs dangles

[macdeb]

Alun450 said:

Mac your not asking me are ya, hey dude that's a one handed wheelie ( profile pic )
Go on boy.

I've ruined a few chains back in the day. Lol

Much respecto.

cheers bloke, twas a long time ago.

[macdeb]

QBee said:

Assuming you are on the computer Mac, then open the photo in the basic photo editing program your computer came with, then either save it as lower resolution, or if it won't do that, crop the photo down a bit to get within the 2mb.

Alun, I have IPhone, Ipad and Mac Computer, and can only post pics from the computer. They have to be attached using "upload an image" just above the typing window, which means you have to find the saved photo on your device.....which for me is the problem on everything except the computer.

Edited by QBee on Sunday 19th January 18:33

cheers bloke, I'll have another fiddle.

[macdeb]

Here's mine.
And in situ;

Edited by macdeb on Sunday 19th January 19:49

Computer whizz or wot?!!!
[thanks Qbee]

Edited by macdeb on Sunday 19th January 19:50

[Alun450]

I liked living in 1974 but this is ridiculous. I've tried living without computers the last year, its impossible in modern Britain,

One good thing about not having a computer, I'm much fitter as I ride my bike rather than wk all night!!!

Thing is I miss it,,,,,,,,, lol.

[portzi]

macdeb said:

Here's mine.
And in situ;

Edited by macdeb on Sunday 19th January 19:49

Computer whizz or wot?!!!
[thanks Qbee]

Edited by macdeb on Sunday 19th January 19:50

It was your alternator Mac that gave me the "itch to polish mine" pardon the pun !!!. First saw it at the NEC classic.

[Alun450]

Mac thats outrageous. Brilliant.
I'm even crap at polishing then!
Anyone else want to show off a bit of engine bling.