Automotive A/C System Leak Testing with UV Dye: Is it The Most Accurate Method?

Come along as we give you an example why UV dye leak testing is in my opinion the most accurate way to find leaks.

These are the Tools and Tracer Dye I found to work best:
Ultra Bright UV Dye-
Dye Injection Gun Kit-
Ultra Bright UV Light from Fluke-

My Company BSG Automotive offers Auto Repair services in the greater Chicagoland area.
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Disclaimer:
The information, demonstration and any content contained in this video is for informational purposes only. The user and BSG Automotive (hereinafter “FordTechMakuloco”) makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding the effectiveness or safety of the contents of this video. In no way should the contents of the video, including the tools used, be repeated or tried by anyone. Viewers should only seek the help of a trained professional located at a licensed auto repair shop for any fix, modification, alteration, or any change to their vehicle. FordTechMakuloco shall not be liable for any injury, damage, or loss to any person or property that may result from use of the tools, equipment, or any content contained in this video. In addition, there is no way to guarantee that the video is not altered or modified or is not in the final form submitted by FordTechMakuloco and therefore, FordTechMakuloco does not warrant that the video is unaltered or not modified. The links on this video to products are for informational purposes only and in no way are an endorsement of the safety or effectiveness of the particular product. Viewers understand that anything contained in this video or linked to or from this video is the sole responsibility of the viewer and in no way provides an express or implied warranty as to the safety or effectiveness of any linked tool, product, or video. Therefore, viewer agrees to release, waive, and discharge FordTechMakuloco or anyone affiliated with FordTechMakuloco, from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by the viewer, or to any property belonging to viewer, regardless of whether the loss is linked to the use of the contents of this video, or otherwise and regardless of whether such liability arises in tort, contract, strict liability, or otherwise, to the fullest extent allowed by law.

[FordTechMakuloco]

These are the Tools and Tracer Dye I found to work best:
Ultra Bright UV Dye-
Dye Injection Gun Kit-
Ultra Bright UV Light from Fluke-

[theadventuresofjavier]

I have used several methods over the years. This one is great provided if it has dye in it or if the customer can wait for the newly added dye to work. I've been given dirty looks by some customers who want their a.c. fixed yesterday. Dye, electronic leak detector, soapy water..all these are a must have in my opinion.

[TheHDPerspective]

Great video! That's the method I've always used, a co-worker of mine was saying the sniffer was way easier. This confirms my thoughts that the dye method is the way to go.

[themysticmariner]

Awesome video. Really helps me figure out why my car needs a "top-off" charge every season to get the compressor to kick on.

[baxrok.]

Beautiful example Brian! This is the first time I've ever seen dye injected into a system. You mentioned cycle times and most people don't mention that. Great job and thanks!

[RC-Heli]

Once again you have amazed me sir! I didn't expect the die to be so expensive. I can tell its awesome stuff though not to need a UV light with it.
 
When you evacuate that system to fix the leak, all of your R134 in your machine's storage tank will :
A - have dye in it
B - have no dye in it because it gets separated out with the oil separator?
C be collected with no regard for the small amount of dye in it and go about your fixing AC like a Pro adding a small amount of dye to every system you charge in the future.
D - never see a drop of dye because you quietly and subtly let the temporary charge ooz out into a pan while no one is looking to be discarded in a milk jug later.
😎

[joeshearer]

If you want the best sniffer. H10 is the best. We use dry nitrogen for pressure test with small amount of refrigerant for tracer gas. Could have quickly found this one without dye or 2lbs of gas wasted.

[coderesponsevideos]

Great video! I do all my leaks checks the same way with one exception. I use compressed air. I only used compressed air on a car like the escape shown here. It ALREADY has atmospheric pressure inside it. So using air to check for leaks when air is already inside is ok in my opinion. It saves me time and money, and I don't leak as much r134a out into the atmosphere. I would never put air into an ac system but if it's already there it's already there. I use it with soapy water and my ears and I can find leaks. Both methods are valid but that's my opinion.

[ahillny]

Wow!!!! The leak you found was dejavu for me. A friend of mine recharged a 1991 Volvo, the system started working again very cold. I asked him did he check for leaks he didnt respond. I opened the hood to check the lines, looked at the compressor and saw this same leak oil bubbling all over the compressor. I Showed my friend and let's just say he wasn't pleased.

[Automotive_Solutions]

Nice video.
I like the look of the Fluke uv flashlight.
Might have to get myself one of those, currently using the snap on halogen style which uses the vehicle battery.

[johnerickson]

I wish you was in California bro I need a good mechanic found your video very enlightening and knowledgeable. Please keep the videos coming

[SmittySmithsonite]

That UV light is NUTS! Thanks for the info - definitely putting that one on the shopping list!

You'd laugh if you could see what I've been using the past 17 years - a tiny little pen light, that's been dropped, stepped on, run through a couple cooling and alternator fans, etc.. The bulb is about the size of what they used to put in Maglite flashlights in the day. Just one step above useless, lol.

I'd bet that aluminum corrosion got in between the case there, and distorted the seal. Seen that so many times up here in MA in just about every connection. This state dumps salt on the roads like you wouldn't believe in the winter time.

Great vid, as usual. :)

[pramponi]

Great vid and lesson. Thanks! That's a bad leak. Almost unbelievable the case separation.

[obadiah]

Nice. I wish you can do a repair vid on this. That would be fun to be brought along👍 great vid as always!

[LOOK-UP-MAN]

Thanks a lot for a complete and educated training, Are you located at Toronto area to make a diagnosis my car? Thanks and God bless

[JoeJalopy]

Thanks for the info. I have a Jeep Cherokee with a very slow leak; this gives me some ideas; I see bubbling at first on the low pressure valve with soapy water but seems to stop.

[jerryday]

Great job presenting this video FordTech. I use the dye as well but I need to get me one of those fancy injectors. LOL I still have a lot of tools to buy.

[amtpdb]

I did not hear you mention adding oil when you charged it. How did you know there was enough oil to not hurt the compressor? How do you know how much to put in considering each part of the unit has a certain amount of oil they hold and it seems that it most likely leaked all of it out? Thanks

[JenniferF]

my same vehicle!
it was my low pressure port schrader valve O-ring....
we put vacuum pump and it held for over an hour so we knew it wasn't anything major.

[FordTechMakuloco]

Let's hear your favorite leak detection method and why!