Aluminum corroding, and alternator question.

Everything was fine a month ago when I parked it.

Started taking apart to replace timing belt, and cam seals....
When raised the hood there was some white powder on aluminum parts. Didn't think much of it until I look under intake. Lots of gritty white powder corrosion.

Taking serpentine belt off noticed alternator was locked up. I got it freed up and noticed th4e same white powder fell out when turned it over, like aluminum corrosion powder.
The lower down on the engine, or where it could pool up the more gritty white powder.

I haven't washed it, so I assume maybe it was washed at a carwash using engine cleaner that was acidic, and wasn't neutralized. I don't know. It just reminds of aluminum that has had acid on it.

Questions are: What is something I can spray the parts down with to neutralize whatever is causing this while I have it all apart?

And, are Rockauto's remanufactured Denso alternators good, or where is a recommended place to find a new one?

Been in no salt or anything corrosive.
None of this is happening to our 4Runner or any other vehicles.
First picture is best I could get under the air tunnel, or whatever they call it now.
It was also bad behind the timing belt covers, especially lower down which wasn't that way a month ago when I checked the belt.

 

I'm skeptical about the aluminum corrosion theory. I think it's more likely that you have a coolant leak and the white stuff is crystalized coolant. Since you're replacing the timing belt, hopefully you're doing the water pump at the same time, and you're using the Aisin kit. You should be replacing all of the seals and O-rings associated with the water pump, which are in that kit. As far as RA's Denso alternators go, yes, they're fine. And as for neutralizing the white crystals, just use some plain old water and an old toothbrush. Should take it off easy.

 

Aluminum is a soft metal that forms a protective layer of oxide. It does however corrode is marine environments. Some brands like Porsche have a protective coating of Cosmoline or Tectol on their blocks. You have to be careful with certain products like Simple Green. In the Porsche community a Lott of folks swear by Gibbs Oil to prevent corrosion. Gibbs was a Harley Davidson mechanic. His product is pricey but has a big following.

 

I'm guessing with a bad alternator and uncharacteristic corrosion, this is more of an electrolysis problem. Get the alternator replaced (Denso is the way), and check all of the cables and grounds. If the alternator is shot, there's a good chance it could have ruined the battery. So have the battery checked out, or replaced. Wash that stuff off and it should be fine.

 

Yes replacing water pump too.
While I'm at it also replacing all vacuum hoses, plugs, all pulleys, radiator hoses etc. Basically anything that looks like it might need it, or is time to be replaced. It'll probably get a new radiator before summer to cause think it still the original.

Had the same thought about coolant leak. I just can't figure out where coolant would be coming from to mist over the front of engine, and especially in alternator, and down under the air intake. Was full of coolant.