I noticed the cooling fins on my engine have some oil/dirt/grime build up. I don't have an overheating problem but it seems like they should be cleaned out. Is a power wash advisable (I don't know how else you would get them cleaned) ? Or should I just leave it alone. 19 years of oil leaking and riding adds up to some dirty fins.

 

Power washing sometimes causes more problems then you started with.Personally ,i would use a small brush(tooth brush)with warm water, soap and rinse with a garden hose throttled way back.This will be a tedious task to say the least but will work without causing damage.

 

+1. Think it would be more trouble than it's worth to power wash anything on the bike unless maybe you were taking it apart then maybe but questionable then.

 

rinsing from a reasonable distance won't hurt , u don't want to put the tip point blank . I am a mason renovator, we power wash a lot , power washers can damage brick just think what it can do to a head gasket. My fxr's front cylinder needs the same job, I am gonna use a brush and hose.

 

I only use normal water pressure from garden hose then I set the nozzle to the shower setting. Skinny brush and simple green for fins if they are the black powder coat or regular car wash if chrome then hose is how I do it. I wouldn't pressure wash.

 

If it's raw aluminum, use a small STAINLESS STEEL tooth brush type brush. It will make them look brand new. Don't use regular steel brush, it will cause rust stains.
If engine is painted, then disregard. Maybe a tooth brush with some dawn dish soap and rinse. YD

 

Be careful with Simple green on aluminum...it can etch it.

 

Try using an old shoe lace and floss the fins.

 

The shoe lace is very interesting! Yes, power washing does seem extreme. I will have to work up some energy for the shoe lace, brush and garden hose treatment. Thanks to all.

 

Just use S100 and an old toothbrush. Make sure you rinse very well. It will look brand new when you are done.