Hello all,

I have a stock 96 E350 Super Duty that has an oil leak. I want to clean the engine area so I can use my dye kit to locate the leak. I bought some engine cleaner from an auto store and it says do not use on aluminum (I guess it etches the aluminum or something). So, can anyone tell me what some of the major aluminum pieces in the engine are? Is the oil pan, for instance?

Thanks for the help.

 

Oil pans are almost always steel unless you are talking old Volvo (cast iron) or more exotics (cast aluminum) or high performance aftermarket (some aluminum).

Fuel pump (non efi block mounted), maybe. Alternator, maybe front cover, fuel system components. Scratch the paint or apply a magnet to be sure.

 

try simple green
it's easier on the plastics too.

If it's real thick and greasy I used to use a scraper and my air nozzle to blow the thick crud off before chemical cleaning

 

Thanks for the responses. Much appreciated!

 

Simple green is hard on aluminum finishes if you apply it full strength and leave it on.

 

On this vintage motor the upper and lower intake, TB, timing cover and water pump, accessory brackets, and components like the alternator and air pump are all aluminum.

 

I use it all the time on my LS1. no issues. I don't let it sit though

 

Depends on the finish too. If you have polished aluminum I would be careful.

 

No , it's just bare aluminum