Oil Leak

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Quimrider

Sodium Hydroxide aka NaOH (the active ingredient in most oven cleaners) is not something you want to put on the aluminum engine fins. The engine fins are aluminum, right?

Don't panic. A little bit of common sense is required; thus my cautions about rinsing afterwards
BUT.....
I just looked at the can and it is only 4% NaOH; hardly a concentration that will "eat away" even soft aluminum......if you put it on, rub a bit and then rinse it OFF. If you are really paranoid, rinse with white vinegar.

I did mine a week ago and just looked again; no indication of any ill effects. The fins are certainly some kind of alloy and have a matte finish to start with. Even if it did dull it a bit, it would still be better than the brown crap that I took off. :yes: