How to Clean Car Alternator? Details Step by Step Guide

An alternator is a vehicle component that charges car battery and keeps functional all electrical system during driving. A car alternator may have severe wear-out issues when it's exposed toxic outside environment for a long time. Proper cleaning will remove these contaminants. Overlooking it will cause for a prolonged time will reduce its lifespan. Here is a detailed discussion on how to clean car alternator.

How to Clean Car Alternator

Even after having the best alternators, they'll still accumulate dust and dirt from the outside environment. Cleaning a dirty alternator should not be a hassle when you know the proper way to do it.

The main job of an alternator is to provide energy to charge the battery while driving the car. They are pretty durable. Their lifespan could be around 10 - 15 years.

However, regular maintenance is still necessary. Getting optimum performance requires you to clean it regularly. This ensures no early damage. On the other hand, if you don’t clean it regularly, you may face alternator overheating issue.

Here is the guideline on how to clean alternator step by step. Let's begin!

Step 1 — Selecting the Right Alternator Cleaner

The Cleaning alternator requires you to choose the right cleaner. So, what to spray on alternator? A lot of options are available. But not all of them are effective.

You can clean alternator with wd40, which is a decent option for cleaning different parts of automobiles. Alternatively, using a CRC alternator cleaner also appears okay.

If you don't have the accessibility of using this product, you can use the recommended alternator cleaner AutoZone. All of them are efficient for getting rid of tough dust and grimes from the alternator.

Step 2 — Removing the Alternator

Some car owners have the curiosity to learn how to clean alternator without removing it. We know sometimes it isn't possible to remove the alternator when you're outside. But you need to clean it.

Regardless of the circumstances, cleaning an alternator after removal is recommended. You may not have the accessibility to clean certain tiny parts of the alternator.

Additionally, you may spray other components while not removing them though it is unnecessary. That's why first removing the alternator is a good rule of thumb.

So, open your car's hood. Take out the alternator from the front side of the engine. Keep it in a secure place. A stable table appears the best.

Make sure to keep the alternator cleaner spray and a brush on the table. Keeping everything read makes the task easier. You don't have to go to and forth.

Step 3 — Preparing the Cleaner

After removing the automobile part, you want to prepare the cleaner. Create a mixture of 50% water and 50% alternator cleaner. The amount may seem excessive to some people. But it's not! You need this type of mixture for effective cleaning.

Step 4 — Using the Cleaner

After mixing them properly, it's time to use them. The following two options are available to you. You can use a soft towel, soak it properly, and clean various parts of the alternator.

Or, use a spray bottle. Add the solution to the container. Spray it gently on the alternator. Don't increase the pressure. Keep it at a low level.

After applying the product, let it sit for a while. This will weaken the dust and dirt. Thus, cleaning will be easier.

Step 5 — Brushing Gently

Some spots of the alternator may have accumulated dust. They won't be removed unless you brush off them. Use a soft brush to get rid of them.

Brush off in different essential parts. Make sure nothing is left out. It may take a little time. But you'll have an effective result. Don't forget to clean terminal connection points.

Step 6 — Rinsing Gently

Once you think everything is cleaned correctly, spray some water to rinse them. Remove all dirt residues from the surface.

After that, let it dry for several hours. Make sure no moisture is noticeable. Otherwise, it may cause rust issues. This may damage the alternator gradually.

Apparently, check whether there're any dirty electrical connections with the alternator. Make sure no contaminants are accumulated on the connections. If yes, remove them. It will ensure no damage to the alternator.

That's it! The above-mentioned steps are what you should follow when cleaning your car alternator. After cleaning, test the alternator to measure its performance.

Key Crucial Points to Remember

· Avoid spraying the alternator directly into the air intakes

· Reduce applying engine grease cleaners as much as possible

· It's better not to use an air compressor or pressure for alternators

· Don't use any random alternator clean unless it's safe for it

· Choose a perfect place to clean the alternator

Tips To Keep Your Car Alternator Good

1. Regular Inspection for the Belt

Keeping the alternator belt in a decent condition will keep the alternator safe. Make sure it doesn't get cracked or frayed.

Its usual lifespan is around 40,000 and 70,000 miles. Do a regular inspection. Replace it when it's not performing effectively.

2. Keep Aligned the Alternator

It's crucial to keep the alternator and crankshaft pulley adequately aligned. Only then will smooth functioning be ensured. They often easily fall out due to various external conditions.

3. Clean, Clean, And Clean!

Regular cleaning is a must for your car alternator if you heavily use your vehicle every day. Various contaminants will be accumulated inside the alternator parts. Proper cleanliness ensures smooth functioning.

FAQ

Can you clean an alternator?

Yes, you can clean an alternator. Regular cleaning prevents damaging it. All you need is a decent alternator cleaner and mix it with the exact quantity of water.

Is it safe to wash alternator?

To ensure the best functionality of an alternator, it is good to clean them. However, that doesn't mean you'll pressure wash them. It may ruin the seal. As a result, car performance will reduce.

But rinsing the alternator is entirely okay. Make sure dry it up properly. Additionally, protecting electrical components is a general rule of thumb while applying the solution. It ensures optimum protection for the parts.

How do you clean an alternator regulator?

An alternator regulator is an essential component of the alternator. Cleaning it regularly and adequately ensures appropriate power loads in the vehicle.

Clean an alternator regulator is a part of cleaning the alternator. But it is a delicate component. A lot of cuttings accumulated inside it. You need to use high-quality sandpaper with 400 grit or more. Wipe the cuttings with a fresh cloth.

What happens if oil gets in your alternator?

If oil gets in your alternator, it may fail in functionality. Different electronic parts might be affected. Also, the contact points may have fouling issues when oil on alternator.

Apart from that, it may weaken the internal plastic. Also, the internal regulator may become loose or even break down suddenly.

Finishing Up

So, here comes the conclusion part. Cleaning an alternator should not be a tiresome task if you know how to clean car alternator easily. We've mentioned all the simple steps to clean it effectively without spending much time. Take care of your car components to save in the long run.