My alternator got wet. Argh.

[protegechris]

So, I had my camshaft.. rocker arms.. new gasket set (still sealed.. thankfully).. alternator.. valve cover.. etc. all sitting in my car.. with the windows cracked. It's been sitting up for a little over a month now..

and I forgot.........
and my alternator got uber rained on.

So, I moved all my parts to my trunk.. only to find that it leaks water. DAMN IT HURRICANE IKE.


Think it's going to be any good? The rest of the stuff was mostly spared from the liquid doomsday.

Fudge. My camshaft is now rusted over.

ass.
should have left it on the motor.

[Otto]

That does suck ass.
Let the alt. dry and if it still works, then cool. If not, well fuck. Replace or maybe even rebuild it.

As for internal engine parts. Spray light oil (WD-40 or the like) on 'em and put them in plastic baggies or saran wrap.

Rusted parts? I'd say you'd get away with cleaning all rust with most of the parts. I can't say for sure, and I'm definetly not sure about the cam journals. That's the one area I'd really be concerned with. It can probly be saved, I'm just not sure how you'd go about that.

[foamypirate]

My A6 camshaft was rusted when I got it. I sprayed it down with carb cleaner and whiped it off with some agressive paper towel action. It's been in the car for 700+ miles, no problems.

[gloryaccordy]

I drove through a puddle with my last CB. It was lowered. It's fine it will get over it.

[cp[mike]]

water wont hurt it at all, besides causing rust... and usually you can just wipe the rust off before using it again successfully. PB Blaster is a very easy way to wipe surface rust off parts like the cams.

[Night Wolf]

the one in my car now I hosed off. it works just fine

[johnl]

You'll just have to suck it and see with the alternator. Keep it in a warm place for a few hours (or days) to dry it out properly.

The camshaft, I'd just clean the rust off the working surfaces with used Scotchbrite. Used is less scratchy than new, more like polishing (or you could even try a metal polishing paste, so long as you cleaned it all off very well). Clean it well and then fit.

I wouldn't use abrasive paper (even fine grade) to clean the rust because the grit is sharp and will leave a microscopically harsh surface that could lead to the surface breaking up...??? If the rust is severe enough that you have fine pitting in the steel and the Scotchbrite won't sort it, then you might have to use fine abrasive paper, then 'polish' with Scothbrite.