You can buy the dye from just about any auto parts store.
If they don’t know what you are talking about, then tell me what auto part stores are in your area and I will give you a part number so you can have them order it.
I cant give you a part number now, cause different stores carry different brands.
Yes, your car uses the surge tank as part of the coolant system circuit. So just adding it in the tank will be fine. PLEASE MAKE SURE THE ENGINE IS COOL WHEN YOU USE IT.
You probably will not notice a different color with the naked eye. You’ll need a black light to make the UV dye glow.
I cannot speculate as to why your mechanics did not suggest this method of testing.
I would have tried both a pressure test and running the car while on a lift first also.
UV dye tests are not the end all be all for leak detection.
They are simply another tool in the arsenal to use.
UV tests are time consuming and tricky.
You have to check for the leak quite often.
Say it takes 24 hours for your leak to show up.
I check your car in 12 hours and find nothing.
I tell you to come back the next day.
It’s now 36 hours after I added the dye.
The leak showed up, but the fluid followed the contours of the engine, or wind blowing around under the hood has spread the UV dye everywhere.
I still wouldn’t be able to pinpoint the leak.
You have to check at the right time, just as the fluid starts to seep out.
I hope that made sense.
Good luck
Friday, December 19th, 2008 AT 11:11 PM
