oil in alternator

[Marla]

An alternator rebuild shop told us the alternator had a crack and was full of engine oil.

Before I buy another alternator, where could the oil be coming from? The valve cover or elsewhere?

[mattswabb]

Chance are it's coming from the front crank seal. The oil leaks from there and then is slung up onto the alternator. You should also have a spot on the bottom side of the hood and your car probably leaves a small oil spot just inside the passengers side front wheel.

The fix is to replace the seal. As far as the alternator just pick up another from a junkyard. New ones are expensive and getting one rebuilt is also expensive.

[darkdan]

I'm all about proper lubrication, but even I don't oil my alt! =)