power steering fluid on alternator

[geartooth94]

I took the alt. shield off while taking off the powe steering pump. After disconnecting a p/s line from the pump, a few ounces of steering fluid got on the bare alt before I could get a rag. I also got some fluid in the plastic connector that goes to the alt and holds two very small gauge wires (not the larger single orange wire). What does this connector do, and will the steering fluid harm the contacts inside?

Is any of this a problem, or should I replace the alt. and connector before proceeding? This is on a '94 SL2 b/t/w.

[ud503j]

I can't imagine it would be an issue...as far as I'm aware power steering fluid is neither conductive nor corrosive (at least not terribly so.) I've thrashed an alternator pretty good on my Blazer....had mud in it and everything with no ill effects.

[dixonba]

I've drenched my alt with ps fluid before. Hasn't hurt it yet.

I have heard of incidents of alternator failure due to ps fluid constantly dripping on it though...

[blackeagle1]

How did you end up getting the lines off the pump? I made an attempt to replace mine but couldn't budge the fittings on the steering rack and couldn't figure out how to access the fittings at the pump.

[sierrap615]

wipe it off, inspect it, maybe spray it with electrical cleaner. unless that alternator is more then 3 years old, thats about the life of many S-series alternator. many S-series alternators do fail from engine oil leaks, but the key there is that the oil is normally hot dripping with the engine running. the two wires i beleave go to the dash for the charge light and the other is for the field coil.

Originally Posted by blackeagle1

How did you end up getting the lines off the pump? I made an attempt to replace mine but couldn't budge the fittings on the steering rack and couldn't figure out how to access the fittings at the pump.

i whent THRU the pulley

[ssicarman]

Long term oil soaking into the alt will shorten it's life. A dump of oil into it---clean it out with something like brake clean or as mentioned contact cleaner let it dry and then you should be ok.

[geartooth94]

I also have to get just that ONE line off the pump: the one with the nut on the steel line. Just HOW did you go through the pulley to access the nut?

[kmix99]

Originally Posted by geartooth94

I also have to get just that ONE line off the pump: the one with the nut on the steel line. Just HOW did you go through the pulley to access the nut?

remove the pulley with a pulley-puller with the line still attached, then you'll have good access to the nut. The nut on my 1997 SL2 steel PS line was not metric, it was SAE for some odd reason. Use a flare nut type wrench to prevent stripping.

[sierrap615]

Originally Posted by geartooth94

I also have to get just that ONE line off the pump: the one with the nut on the steel line. Just HOW did you go through the pulley to access the nut?

whats really amazing is not that i whent thru the pulley, but i even did it with the beefyer flare wrench(it was about 1/8 taller then my standard box wrench). it also helps i have the hood, wiring harness, belt, and a million other things already removed. it would not go straght on thru the slot in the pulley. i instead got the wrench head in with the pulley at a different angle, then turned the pulley till it lined up with the nut. the pump was also unbolted from the engine at the time.

[geartooth94]

well i found an old crescent wrench from my grandfather's garage that looks like it will fit on the steering gear lines. Also bought a 16/18mm flare nut wrench so we'll se how it goes when I try to remove the lines. PB Blaster is my friend!