Hyundai i20 (2009) - 09 1.2 oil spill on alternator

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Sun 3 Jan 2010 13:02
09 1.2 oil spill on alternator - brg190 pete
Hi all

Just a quick query. Feeling annoyed with myself, as I decided to top up the oil in the i20 this morning and (with cold hands) managed to spill a fair amount of oil over the alternator - specifically on to the copper wire mesh just inside the circular structure. I mopped up the spillage as best as I could - but there is certainly some oil inside the alternator.

So, is this going to cause any problems and, if so, what would be the symptoms?

Many thanks in advance
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Sun 3 Jan 2010 14:00
09 1.2 oil spill on alternator - Peter.N.
The chances are that it wont cause a problem, the only really sensitive areas are sliprings and brushes but as they don't carry a lot of current unlike the old dynamo's I wouldn't think a little oil would hurt them - if in fact it has actually reached them. Its certainly not worth stripping down the alternator to find out.
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Mon 4 Jan 2010 13:49
09 1.2 oil spill on alternator - Robin the Technician
Get a tin of brake cleaner - aerosol type if you can and give a good blast with that. It will remove the oil and not harm your alternator.

Robin the Technician
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Tue 5 Jan 2010 20:10
09 1.2 oil spill on alternator - brg190 pete
Guys

Thanks for the advice. The car has been used for the past couple of days without any apparent ill effects, so I'll probably leave well enough alone.
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Tue 5 Jan 2010 21:28
09 1.2 oil spill on alternator - 659FBE
I used to design commercial vehicle alternators. An oil spill into the driven end of an alternator is no problem - the components are designed to resist all common automotive fluids.

A lot of oil at the other end could contaminate the brushgear, but an odd spillage is very unlikely to cause problems.

Don't allow any solvents such as brake cleaner near the machine. These are not classed as normal automotive fluids and could damage the enamel insulation on the windings. Oil is no problem at all - motorbike alternators run in it (but don't have brushes).

659.
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