Re: leak detector dye

Ashton Crusher wrote:
> 
> On Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:19:34 GMT, "Pete C." <aux3.DOH.4@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> wrote:
> 
> >
> >Ashton Crusher wrote:
> >>
> >> I bought some UV leak detector dye to try and pin down an engine oil
> >> leak.  I put double the amount of dye in the oil as instructions call
> >> for because I'm just not finding anything that glows.  I am using a
> >> "glow in the dark" florescent light as my UV light source.  I'm not
> >> seeing much glow in the dark as far as finding the oil leaks.  I have
> >> to get the light VERY close to see anything seemingly "glow' and it's
> >> so close I can't really tell if it's glowing or if it's just the
light
> >> reflecting.
> >>
> >> Has anyone done this and is there some special type of UV light
needed
> >> that's different from my dime store UV florescent??
> >
> >While the florescent light should work ok, a much better option would
be
> >one of the UV LED pen lights. I use a Coast "LED-Lenser Turbo Torch V8
> >UV Torch" I got from Fry's. It's a key chain type light that runs on
> >several 357 button cells and is remarkably bright. Certainly a lot
> >easier to get into all the areas you need to inspect than a florescent.
> >
> >Here it is for $10:
> >
> >http://shop1.outpost.com/product/3864717?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
> 
> I bought one and it's a lot better then what I was using but it's
> still hard to really get anything to glow.  I can pull the dipstick
> and tell there's dye in that oil but I'm having a heck of a time
> finding the leaks.  I thought the dye would may it light up like a
> firecracker.

Pretty nice little light isn't it? Impressive how much UV you can get
out of an LED. I've only used it with dye in the A/C and there it was
quite easy to spot. As noted, perhaps you need a stronger dye
concentration in the oil to make it more visible. Perhaps just visit the
local car wash in the evening, pressure wash the engine clean and then
inspect in the dark when you get home.