Oily Alternator

[ledzilla]

I recently began noticing a burnt oil smell at higher RPMs, and decided to investigate under the hood a bit. I revved the motor up and saw a bit of smoke coming from the passenger side, but not much evidence of leaking oil. There seemed to be some near the bottom but I couldn't get a good look and there haven't been any puddles, nor what looks like oil being blown back by wind. As my gaze passed back across the front of the motor, I saw that the bottom half of the front of the alternator was covered in what appeared to dirty oil. I'm thinking I'll need to take it out and clean it up, and maybe do some inspection around it. But has anyone seen this before and have any ideas why this would be?

[fastblackmerc]

I recently began noticing a burnt oil smell at higher RPMs, and decided to investigate under the hood a bit. I revved the motor up and saw a bit of smoke coming from the passenger side, but not much evidence of leaking oil. There seemed to be some near the bottom but I couldn't get a good look and there haven't been any puddles, nor what looks like oil being blown back by wind. As my gaze passed back across the front of the motor, I saw that the bottom half of the front of the alternator was covered in what appeared to dirty oil. I'm thinking I'll need to take it out and clean it up, and maybe do some inspection around it. But has anyone seen this before and have any ideas why this would be?
Clean it up, and keep and eye on it to see where the oil comes from.

Might be cam cover gasket, or PCV.

[ledzilla]

Guess I know what I'm doing this weekend. =P

I've never tried cleaning up an alternator before, though. Anything I should keep in mind? Besides making sure it's completely dry before running the car, of course.

[WhatsUpDOHC]

I'd rather have an oily alternator than a late alternator. :D

[ledzilla]

Ok, while the alternator is oily, the oil is not from near the alternator. It's traveling to the alternator on the belt. The source seems to be coming from near the A/C compressor.

[guspech750]

I'd wipe down as much of the motor as I could and start looking for leaks after that. Wipe it clean top, bottom, sides. Start fresh.


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DTR + 4.10's + Eaton swap = Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

[fastblackmerc]

Could be the front seal on the AC compressor.