Engine oil spill on alternator causing rapid battery drain?

Hi guys,

I accidentally spilled a substantial qty of engine oil on and around
the alternator of my '92 Corolla - and now the battery has started
draining rapidly (0.30 amps with the engine shut off). The mobile auto
electrician has just checked the battery, and says it has a dead cell.
I'm not sure if the problem is with the alternator/regulator (because
of the oil spill), or the battery, which was doing just fine before the
oil spill. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Vik

"Vik" <vixahuja@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1128674677.883436.146500@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hi guys,
>
> I accidentally spilled a substantial qty of engine oil on and around
> the alternator of my '92 Corolla - and now the battery has started
> draining rapidly (0.30 amps with the engine shut off). The mobile auto
> electrician has just checked the battery, and says it has a dead cell.
> I'm not sure if the problem is with the alternator/regulator (because
> of the oil spill), or the battery, which was doing just fine before the
> oil spill. Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
> Vik[/color]

Disconnect the alternator, if the drain stops then you have found the
problem. A failed cell on the battery can take the alternator in a short
time, so the oil on it may be co-incidence.

mrcheerful

[Tercel GTS]

Engine oil attacks parts inside the alternator and once soaked there is no way to stop it. I suggest replace both and clean ALL the connections on battery terminals while in that area.

"Vik" <vixahuja@hotmail.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Hi guys,
>
>I accidentally spilled a substantial qty of engine oil on and around
>the alternator of my '92 Corolla - and now the battery has started
>draining rapidly (0.30 amps with the engine shut off). The mobile auto
>electrician has just checked the battery, and says it has a dead cell.
>I'm not sure if the problem is with the alternator/regulator (because
>of the oil spill), or the battery, which was doing just fine before the
>oil spill. Any suggestions?
>
>Thanks,
>Vik[/color]
I'd say that you got two problems, the dead cell and something is
causing a draw while sitting static....I wonder if you got some
oil inside the alt which has 'coked' somewhere causing the 300mA
draw? (mind you, I've never heard of it happening)

You're gonna need to change the battery anyway but that's not
what's causing the draw, you'll need to start yanking fuses till
you get the problem isolated.

Incidentally, how did he arrive at the 'dead cell' diagnosis?
--

-Gord.
(use gordon in email)