A vehicle needs proper attention and maintenance from the day of its existence as it is a collective combination of mechanical components that suffices many people’s life dreams. Thus maintaining and taking proper care of every component in a vehicle is the best thing you could do as a car owner. One of the main things that you should be giving your attention to is the alternator, where the transition of mechanical power into potential energy. This can water damage to the alternator is the prominent subject matter of today’s discussion as we delve into ways to maintain an alternator damaged by water.
What is an Alternator?
An alternator is a generator that accompanies the vehicle by generating electrical energy derived from the mechanical energy generated by the battery power.
An alternator is often seen with a rotating magnetic field accompanied by a stationary armature due to cost-effectiveness and simplicity. And, an alternator uses a high temperature, which makes it a hot bbq at all times; therefore, there is no space for water droplets, as they will be destroyed by the heat in the alternator.
Moreover, the alternator is water resistant, which does not mean it is waterproof. Thus there is a huge possibility that water could damage the alternator but not the smaller amount that could disappear into thin air with the heat of the alternator. The still water that could be a cause of flood could harm an alternator in greater ways.
Will the Alternator Work If Wet?
As mentioned before, an alternator is a generator that transforms mechanical energy into potential energy, which makes the alternator work pretty hard with a heating oven each time it is not ideal. Thus there are no chances for regular water droplets and occasional water splashes to exist under that much heat of an overheated oven in the alternator.
Suppose your alternator has been sitting on flood water. In that case, there must be debris and dirt sitting all over the alternator that could be making your alternator a complete loss regarding its functionality.
Moreover, the bronze brushes that are installed in an alternator could get destroyed by the still water bashing its power on the alternator. Thus an alternator can tap into a work strike for days or weeks due to water emerging into an alternator for a long time.
Can Water Damage the Alternator?
As mentioned above, the occasional water spills will not be able o survive the excessive heat of an alternator; however, if the water that is ruining your alternator is a large sum of water that has been collected due to a flood or a disastrous situation and was not removed immediately there is a huge chance for it to damage the alternator’s internal components.
Thus the water could damage the brass, or the bronze brushes installed in the alternator will be destroyed due to corrosion. Moreover, the water will attract many dust and debris that will stick to the alternator with time.
The alternator being watered down will also affect the headlights and the lighting. Thus it is obvious that still, water in an alternator is never a sign of fortune.
How Does Water Affect the Functionality of an Alternator?
Water can affect the functionality of an alternator in any way that one wouldn’t even notice. Thus it is vital to acknowledge how water in an alternator could affect the alternator.
Hence, we are bringing this segment in which we will discuss how water affects an alternator’s functionality. As mentioned multiple times earlier, water could only damage an alternator if your vehicle has been in a pool of water for a long time filled with mud and debris. Thus this water could contain dust and debris that is not essential for an alternator.
Moreover, water makes the dust and debris stick with the alternator for a long time. Thus making the alternator perform correctly as the alternator is blocked with debris.
Moreover, with water being st in the alternator, the internal parts could undergo a corrosion procedure in which the function of an alternator could collapse. Furthermore, the brushes (bronze or brass) will be stuck due to corrosion. Thus it is evident that water affects the functions of an alternator when there is and was water in it.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Water Damage to an Alternator?
Sometimes, you will not be in place to prevent water from entering your alternator, let alone your entire car. On such occasions, we have a known solution left, but only to wait patiently and treat your car once you get the chance.
We will also consider whether you can revive a water-damaged alternator later in the article. However, before moving on to that segment, we will discuss the symptoms and the signs of a water-damaged alternator.
First, you will notice slight dimming that will be an ongoing occurrence in the front lights when there has been water damage in the alternator. Nevertheless, if that is not the case, you will notice overly bright front lights that will shine through your body which also speaks of damage to an alternator, most likely water damage.
Then you can experience the vehicle responding to your commands slowly as a tortoise responding to a life threat on the ground. Therefore if your vehicle functions more slowly than the normal rate, you should check the alternator.
If you can smell the odor of burning rubber or tubes, this is also a telltale sign of water damage in the alternator.
Can Water Damage Be Repaired in an Alternator?
Water damage in an alternator can vary from severe cases to mild ones at the same time. Therefore it will be beneficial to know whether there is a way to repair such a damaged alternator. Therefore, you must dry the water out to repair such alternators.
When drying the water out, use petroleum distillate or a cleanser based on alcohol. We recommend these specific products as they act as quick and fast phased drying out substances on the alternator.
Spray one of that substances onto the alternator and let it dry for about 24 hours. Check the condition of your alternator, and you are good to go. However, if the alternator still shows the above signs, place it with a new one.
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Video Credits – Daily Hands DIY
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