Alternator

[240SX]

Is covering the alternator when spraying the engine bay really necessary? I mean the stuff under the hood is meant to withstand water.

[ewiesner]

It's not so much about getting wet as it is with the water pressure causing problems. If you're not going to use a high pressure device to clean with, you're probably OK with not covering the alternator.

[Beemerboy]

I agree that its not necessary, but I do it as a precaution, the outcome can be expensive if you don't

[240SX]

I'll just be using a garden hose, so I guess it's fine

[CharlesW]

Originally Posted by 240SX

Is covering the alternator when spraying the engine bay really necessary? I mean the stuff under the hood is meant to withstand water.

Necessary? I don't truly know, but...
I would either avoid spraying water directly on it or cover it.
I have used plastic wrap to cover underhood items with good results in recent years.
At one time I used aluminum foil which also worked good, but the possibility of shorting out some electrical connections was pointed out to me and I no longer use foil.
I did not have any problems with that happening, but the caution seemed to make sense.
The underhood area is designed to withstand some water, but I don't think spraying with a hose was one of the things they had in mind.

[JaredPointer]

I would just avoid directly spraying water into the alternator.

[Ronkh]

I'm basically lazy, so I only do engines rarely.

That said, I normally dont cover anything.

BUT !!!

Yes, engine compartments do get "some" water in em, but there are also electrical compenents that are out of the normal flow of things under there. They are protected by other parts of the engine etc, and pointing a hose from the top isn't part of the engineering process.

I do know that some Audi's have a real problem if you spray water at the engine. So you may want to err on the side of caution.

Good luck.

[240SX]

My alternator isn't really exposed and I probably won't get water directly in it. Any other electrical stuff I should cover?

[Ronkh]

Originally Posted by 240SX

My alternator isn't really exposed and I probably won't get water directly in it. Any other electrical stuff I should cover?

It wasnt the alternator i was talking about it was some sort of module in the audi.

There is electrical stuff all over the engine. Some manufacturers even leeave the puter in the compartment. If one catch happens to be open, POOF

Use your eyes and look around if it has connections and looks open/exposed, cover it. If not, go for it.

[240SX]

Originally Posted by Ronkh

It wasnt the alternator i was talking about it was some sort of module in the audi.

There is electrical stuff all over the engine. Some manufacturers even leeave the puter in the compartment. If one catch happens to be open, POOF

Use your eyes and look around if it has connections and looks open/exposed, cover it. If not, go for it.

Not with my 240. The ECU is inside, thank god. Thanks for the advice