My 1996 XH Ford GLI LONREACH UTE with a 4.0 Tickford motor 5 sp man, had a oil leak (oil leak fixed! and I was quite proud of myself) from the rocker cover gasket, resulting in enough oil that would coat my alternator to the point of where she was getting to unpredictable to drive and lights/power would die at 80 klms in traffic. Anyway my mate checked the battery and it was fine after a charge. He also sprayed something onto the alternator (I didn't see what he used) and whatever it was, it cleaned the alternator up enough to drive around again. I'm hesitant to take it on a long drive somewhere, get stuck, and find out it's no better.

After much net research I decided to buy from Bursons auto, a circuit board cleaner that has no chlorides in it to further degrade the thing. I sprayed a fair amount into and on the alternator and could instantly see black oily crap drip from the bottom of it, apparently the best part is that any of this cleaner left on or in places, simply evaporates away.

Question: Did I do the right thing, or did I just completely stuff my alternator????

Thanks to anyone that responds and sorry it's so long, but I wanted all to have as much info as I could provide.

Cheers, Ryne