oil dye
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 870
Likes: 9
From: Carbondale, CO
oil dye
Anybody ever use one of the oil dye kits to find leaks? I've got a pesky drip from the stater/tranny lines area and I can not find it up top or anywhere. Valley is bone dry, as is the hole in back to allow fluid out and down. It's definitely oil. It's about time to change oil anyway, and thought I'd give a kit a try.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 40
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i have used it on a/c systems it was very useful but never on engine and trans just wash with degreaser and blow dry with compressed air and take for short drive the leak is almost always the highest and fathest forward
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 870
Likes: 9
From: Carbondale, CO
Bumping this to the top. I've been over the motor, and have small issues around ccv area and drivers side valve cover. I do not believe this is what is showing up on starter. Also wet at back of oil pan. I have removed fly wheel inspection cover and cleaned up there also.
I have a dye kit by tracerline and the dye says for diesel engine oil. My concern is will this dye harm the injectors? Ideas?
I have a dye kit by tracerline and the dye says for diesel engine oil. My concern is will this dye harm the injectors? Ideas?
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
Likes: 269
From: North of Greenville
Though I don't know for certain from any experience or technical literature, it might be safe to assume that if it is "safe for diesel oil" that it would be equally safe for the oil-driven diesel injectors.
EDIT: I've just done some brief searching, and can find no cautions, warnings, or otherwise expressed limitations on using dyes to detect leaks for either diesel fuel or diesel oil. To me, that suggests that it's a perfectly acceptable leak detection method.
The only caution I would apply is to do the test, find and repair the leak, and then change your oil & filter(s).
EDIT: I've just done some brief searching, and can find no cautions, warnings, or otherwise expressed limitations on using dyes to detect leaks for either diesel fuel or diesel oil. To me, that suggests that it's a perfectly acceptable leak detection method.
The only caution I would apply is to do the test, find and repair the leak, and then change your oil & filter(s).
you can't fix stupid!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,906
Likes: 2
i bet its the valve cover gasket......it will dribble small amounts and run along the block to come out by the starter mount and the t/c access plate......most say the v/c gasket dont normally leak but ive had both of mine go....one was do to the bolts being so loose. the back 3 or 4 were barely even in the threads.....
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 870
Likes: 9
From: Carbondale, CO
Well, I was going to dye it today, but... The truck has been sitting in the garage for a week. Cleaned motor, valley, oil pan, starter area,...thoroughly on Wednesday. Today I notice a drop of oil on floor. The only place wet is at the rear of oil pan, at the bottom of the u shape that the rear main makes.
Everyone says rare for a rear main to leak on these trucks. Thats why the dye, to confirm location. I believe it may leak there, and get blown around and show up at the seam where the starter bolts up, and the inspection cover.
Everyone says rare for a rear main to leak on these trucks. Thats why the dye, to confirm location. I believe it may leak there, and get blown around and show up at the seam where the starter bolts up, and the inspection cover.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 1
From: Morehead, Ky.
Caterpillar shops use Oil Dye a lot, at least when I worked there.
You don't want to over do it, as it will stay with you a while
I do not believe it will hurt anything.
You don't want to over do it, as it will stay with you a while
I do not believe it will hurt anything.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,613
Likes: 8
From: North Georgia
But either way... motor has to come out...
You will know for sure when you can get the flywheel off and have a look.
Just hope its coming from somewhere else...
Xtof
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