Leak detector kits

[oilboy123]

Anybody use these cheap leak detector kits that cost around 50$? If so could you give me a little info on pros and cons? Thanks in advance

 

[Kestas]

For which fluid?

 

[Gary Allan]

Or which substance (air:vacuum/CFCs/etc., for example)?

 

[oilboy123]

Sorry I should have been more specific..... Engine oil, trans fluid, axles lube, coolant etc.

 

[tom slick]

are you looking at the fluor. dye and black light kits?

 

[oilboy123]

 Originally Posted By: tom slick

are you looking at the fluor. dye and black light kits?

Exactly......I was under the impression that they will work for normal lubes as well as coolant. I have seen them in JC Whitney, Autozone ect.

 

[AcuraTech]

They work just fine, but have limited real world usage. Usually a can of degreaser is all that you need to trace fluid leaks.

 

[tom slick]

They are cheap enough that they are worth a try. As AcuraTech mentioned, cleaning everything really well and watching for leaks should be the first attempt. Another way to look for leaks is a clean spot where everything around is dirty. Coolant leaks will often show up this way.

 

[mechtech2]

Since you should clean the suspected areas first anyway, that is probably all you need to do. Then, a little flour or talcum dust can help trace a leak. But the kits work OK.

 

[punisher]

Every once in awhile a dye kit will save your butt. Usually they aren't needed.................until you need it. I had one oil leak that turned out to be caused by a bad block casting (porosity) that almost killed a paycheck. I would have never found it without that UV dye. If you do use UV dye, get a little AA/AAA flashlight with a UV LED. It is a great timesaver and fits everywhere larger lights don't.

 

[oilboy123]

I have a coolant leak on my Dad's Caravan that never shows any coolant leaking anywhere. I will try harder to track it down this weekend. If unsuccessful I might buy a leak kit. I do notice that the system is not pressurizing, so the rad cap is one of the first things I am looking at. It was replaced a year ago though. Thanks for the input.

 

[Kestas]

I don't think you need UV dye in coolant. I find that the black light lights up coolant the same as a fluid with UV dye in it. This cause me all kinds angst once when I was looking for a possible a/c compressor leak, and the clutch was sitting under the water pump weep hole.

 

[George7941]

You can pressurize the cooling system thru the overflow tube. Easiest done with compressed air and a pressure regulator set to about 13psi. Very useful for detecting cooling system leaks.

 

[mechtech2]

That little hand held battery powered UV light would have come in handy. I didn't know they made one.

 

[punisher]

http://www.brightguy.com/products/Streamlight_Stylus_Ultra_Violet_(UV).php Snap-on was selling them at the time.

 

[oilboy123]

 Originally Posted By: George7941

You can pressurize the cooling system thru the overflow tube. Easiest done with compressed air and a pressure regulator set to about 13psi. Very useful for detecting cooling system leaks.

Yes this is what I have done before. I had a little black light for pet accidents. It up and vanished. I notice the system is not coming up to pressure as well. The cap is one years old. I will try the cap off another vehicle. I think I will pressurize it and see if I can find a leak before I worry about chasing things down with a black light.

 

[tonycarguy]

I used the dye to find a water pump leak before. I also used a $8 actinic bulb (for marine aquariums) and installed it in a $6 portable fluorescent light fixture. It's brighter than those LED pens. A black light would work fine too