Oil spilt onto belts and alternator from oil filter.

madderhorn · 04-20-2023, 01:12 PM

I made a mistake when removing my oil filter on my n51 and managed to have oil pour out of the housing and onto the alternator and the belts below. Visually I can see it on the top of the highest belt and on the underside that contacts the pulley on the lower belt. (Sorry I am unaware of the belt names). I cleaned them off the best I could but I know the damage has been done.

I understand after looking around what my mistake was and how the oil came out- my question is about the belts and alternator. With the belts having oil on them, is this a problem to where i'd have to replace the belts or can I clean them off. As well as what to do with the alternator considering oil did make its way onto it.

Before you post please understand that I am aware of how to not repeat this mistake and that, yes I am an idiot for making it in the first place. Thanks

madderhorn · 04-20-2023, 01:25 PM

I have no idea when the belts were last changed as I took ownership nearly a year ago- may be a good idea to just get it taken care of anyways :bs:

Brian86 · 04-20-2023, 07:27 PM

This is fine.

Just wipe them clean as well as you reasonably can and don't worry about it.

E90328iSedan2009 · 04-24-2023, 04:44 AM

Saw a similar scenario, with oil from the filter housing gasket dripping on to the belt. In my case the idler pully looped in the belt needed replacement so it was an easier decision to install a new belt at the same time I installed the new pully. Like the OP, the belt (and car) were new to me so minor costs like the new belt were already in the budget.

Daaaaaaaan · 05-04-2023, 08:00 PM

Had this happen and my alternator started acting wonky. Would intermittently charge and not charge.

Keep an eye on your voltages and have a charger and jumper cables handy (but never ended up having to jump mine).

Problem went away after emptying a whole can of CRC Lectra-motive on the alternator over a couple of days. Been good for 2+ years now.

This stuff: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...k_ql_qh_dp_hza

Took the opportunity to do a belt replacement after cleaning everything as much as possible.

04-20-2023, 01:12 PM	#1
madderhorn Enlisted Member 6 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 328xi Space Grey Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Oil spilt onto belts and alternator from oil filter. I made a mistake when removing my oil filter on my n51 and managed to have oil pour out of the housing and onto the alternator and the belts below. Visually I can see it on the top of the highest belt and on the underside that contacts the pulley on the lower belt. (Sorry I am unaware of the belt names). I cleaned them off the best I could but I know the damage has been done. I understand after looking around what my mistake was and how the oil came out- my question is about the belts and alternator. With the belts having oil on them, is this a problem to where i'd have to replace the belts or can I clean them off. As well as what to do with the alternator considering oil did make its way onto it. Before you post please understand that I am aware of how to not repeat this mistake and that, yes I am an idiot for making it in the first place. Thanks
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

04-20-2023, 01:25 PM	#2
madderhorn Enlisted Member 6 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 328xi Space Grey Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	I have no idea when the belts were last changed as I took ownership nearly a year ago- may be a good idea to just get it taken care of anyways :bs:
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-20-2023, 07:27 PM	#3
Brian86 Captain 640 Rep 768 Posts Drives: e36 M3, e91 325xi, N50 Xterra Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	This is fine. Just wipe them clean as well as you reasonably can and don't worry about it. __________________ Sometimes a bolt is just a bolt.
	Appreciate 2 cliffschum15.50 madderhorn6.00 Quote

04-24-2023, 04:44 AM	#4
E90328iSedan2009 Registered 2 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW E90 2009 Sedan Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico iTrader: (0)	Saw a similar scenario, with oil from the filter housing gasket dripping on to the belt. In my case the idler pully looped in the belt needed replacement so it was an easier decision to install a new belt at the same time I installed the new pully. Like the OP, the belt (and car) were new to me so minor costs like the new belt were already in the budget.
	Appreciate 1 madderhorn6.00 Quote

05-04-2023, 08:00 PM	#5
Daaaaaaaan Private First Class 88 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 08 323i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hamilton iTrader: (0)	Had this happen and my alternator started acting wonky. Would intermittently charge and not charge. Keep an eye on your voltages and have a charger and jumper cables handy (but never ended up having to jump mine). Problem went away after emptying a whole can of CRC Lectra-motive on the alternator over a couple of days. Been good for 2+ years now. This stuff: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...k_ql_qh_dp_hza Took the opportunity to do a belt replacement after cleaning everything as much as possible.
	Appreciate 1 madderhorn6.00 Quote