my alternator is f-ing nasty. i need to clean it up...can i use a degreaser such as purple power and rinse it off with water? will it hurt the insides?
I've sprayed water direct from a water hose on my engine several times and never have had any problems...of course I don't pinpoint it on "weak" spots...battery, distributor, coil, etc...
Is it just greasy? If so, just spray some Brake and Parts cleaner on it and blow it off with air. But otherwise, like 5spd GT says, don't worry too much about it.
BTW, where did you find the "Purple Power"? I've been looking around for some everywhere since I stoped working at the auto detail shop I used to work for.