Anyone Know what this Oil Is Coming Out of My Radio ?

[beowulfborealis]

I have this Grundig SW/AM/FM model S350DL and I knocked it over last night. Anyway, today I noticed that it was leaking oil. Not just any oil, but the stuff ate the finish right off my nice wooden table. The radio still works but spits and hisses at me. What the heck did I do? Is this thing dangerous now? Why the heck do they put caustic oil in a radio for? Sorry about my ignorance. I thought everything was solid state these days. This is the first time a broke a radio and I am puzzled. Should I just toss the radio out?

[perchance]

I would hazard a guess and it is only a guess but it might be from a leaky capacitor. If that is the case it should be repairable with the proviso that the repair cost does no exceed the value of the radio.

[sabray]

If it spits at you toss it

[fairbank56]

Check the battery compartment, sounds like battery leakage.

Eric

[Unicorn Dreams]

Just like Eric said, battery acid would definitely eat the finish off furniture

[GordMay]

Could it be battery acid?

Oops, I seem to be late answering.

[daddle]

Could be electrolytic fluid from a capacitor. But it is surprising it is leaking. They usually go 'BOOM'. From Wikipedia:

The electrolyte is usually boric acid or sodium borate in aqueous solution, together with various sugars or ethylene glycol which are added to retard evaporation. .... Electrolytes may be toxic or corrosive. Working with the electrolyte requires safe working practice and appropriate protective equipment such as gloves and safety glasses.

[beowulfborealis]

Thanks for the suggestions. I had not thought about the 4 Duracell "D" batteries I had in it since they were new. I did some research on the internet and found many people complaining about Duracell batteries leaking and destroying everything from GPS units to carpet.

So let that be a warning to ya about Duracell batteries. They seem to be having some problems and that acid inside them can do some damage. My radio is ok. Whew!