Fluorescent Dye Usage Tips

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Acura TL, 2010 Acura TL, and 2009 Acura TL. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Use only Tracer-Stick single dose fluorescent dye capsules from Tracerline® Other dyes contain solvents that may contaminate the refrigerant oil, leading to component failure
Adding excessive amounts of dye can damage the compressor
PAG oil is water soluble, so condensation on the evaporator core or the refrigerant lines may wash the PAG oil and fluorescent dye away from the actual leak Condensation may also carry dye through the evaporator module drain
After checking and repairing leaks, thoroughly clean any residual dye from the areas where leaks were found Use GLO-AWAY dye cleaner, from Tracerline®, and hot water to remove the dye (follow the instructions on the bottle) Residual dye stains can cause misdiagnosis of any future A/C system leaks
If any refrigerant dye contacts an exterior paint surface, remove it by doing this

Carefully wash the affected surfaces to remove any dirt, and to prevent paint scratching
Mix water and isopropyl alcohol in a 50/50 mixture
Soak a soft cotton towel with the water/alcohol mixture, and place the cloth on the affected areas to remove the dye
After removing the dye with the water/alcohol-soaked cloth, carefully wash the affected areas, and check that there is no remaining dye

Connect an R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station (A) to the high-pressure service port (B) and the low-pressure service port (C), as shown, following the equipment manufacturer's instructions

Fig 1: Identifying High-Pressure Service Port And Low-Pressure Service Port
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Recover refrigerant from the A/C system (see RECEIVER/DRYER DESICCANT REPLACEMENT ), and evacuate the system (see SYSTEM EVACUATION ) If the system achieves a vacuum of approximately 93.3 kPa (700 mmHg, 27.6 in Hg) in 15 minutes, and holds the vacuum for 15 minutes, then the system does not have a leak at this time If the system cannot achieve or hold a vacuum, continue the refrigerant leak check
Open the high pressure valve to charge the system to the specified capacity
Select the appropriate units of measure for your refrigerant charging station

Refrigerant Capacity

500 to 550 g (17.6 to 19.4 oz)

0.50 to 0.55 kg

1.1 to 1.2 lbs

With the engine OFF, use a halogen leak detector first to detect the leak source Follow a continuous path in order to ensure that you will not miss any possible leaks Test the following areas of the system for leaks

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE CHART

Possible Leak Area	Diagnostic Procedure with the Leak Detector	Notes
Service Ports	Check the service ports with the detector If the detector "sniffs" a leak, use fluorescent dye to confirm it	When capping the service ports, ensure that the seals on the port caps are in place, and that the caps are tight The caps are used as the final seals in the system
A/C Condenser	If the detector "sniffs" a leak, use fluorescent dye to confirm it	Check for joints or connections coated with oily dust Check for damaged and corroded areas Check all fittings, couplings, brazed/welded areas and areas around attachment points Move the probe slowly (1 inch/second or less), and keep it within 1/4 inch of the component being checked This maximizes the chance of detecting a leak If you detect a leak, blow compressed air over the area, then recheck for leaks For large leaks, cleaning the area with compressed air may help you pinpoint the leak source
Evaporator	Check at the evaporator drain hose Check at the passenger's side vent blower on low speed
A/C Lines	Wiggle the rubber hoses when checking crimped metal ends If the detector "sniffs" a leak, use fluorescent dye to confirm it	Check all fittings, couplings, pressure switches, brazed/welded areas, and areas around attachment points on A/C lines and components Check for damaged and corroded areas Move the probe slowly (1 inch/second or less), and keep it within 1/4 inch of the component being checked This maximizes the chance of detecting a leak

Close the quick coupler valves, then disconnect the quick couplers from the vehicle service ports
Attach the universal connect set, from the Optimax Jr Leak Detection Kit, to the service valve fitting Close the control valve (the black knob on the connect set)
Attach the charging station low pressure hose quick coupler to the service valve fitting, and open the quick coupler valve Evacuate the connect set using the charging station vacuum pump, then close the quick coupler valve
Detach the universal connect set, and install a Tracer-Stick® dye capsule between the connect set and the service valve fitting (see the manufacturer's instructions for more detail)
Attach the quick coupler on the universal connect set to the low pressure service port on the vehicle Open the charging station low pressure hose quick coupler valve, but do not open the control valve
Start the engine, and set the A/C system to maximum cooling Open the control valve to let refrigerant and the dye enter the A/C system through the low pressure service port Close the control valve when the Tracer-Stick® dye capsule is empty
Run the engine and A/C system for 15 minutes to thoroughly circulate the dye Then shut the engine off, and inspect the following areas of the system for leaks

NOTE:

Check for leaks in a dark work area, and use the UV light and the special glasses from the leak check kit Other UV lights may not work well with the Tracer-Stick® dye
Small leaks may take up to 1 week of vehicle operation (with normal A/C use) to become visible

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE CHART

Possible Leak Area	Diagnostic Procedure with Fluorescent Dye
Service Ports	If a leak is found, replace the Schrader valve on the service port
A/C Lines	Use a permanent marker pen to circle the leak area If a leak is found, remove and replace the A/C line (see A/C LINE REPLACEMENT )
A/C Condenser	If a leak is found, remove the condenser (see A/C COMPRESSOR RELIEF VALVE REPLACEMENT ) Determine whether leak is in the condenser or the receiver/dryer Use a permanent marker pen to circle the leak area Replace either the receiver/dryer (see RECEIVER/DRYER DESICCANT REPLACEMENT ), or the condenser (see A/C COMPRESSOR RELIEF VALVE REPLACEMENT ), depending upon which is leaking
A/C Compressor	Check for leaks at all of the compressor joints, the clutch center, the compressor front housing bolts, and the scroll bolts on the back of the compressor If the compressor relief valve appears to be leaking, determine whether the leak is coming from the relief valve, or the joint between the compressor casing and the valve If the leak is from the relief valve, diagnose and repair the cause of excessive A/C system pressure, then replace the compressor relief valve (see A/C COMPRESSOR RELIEF VALVE REPLACEMENT ) If the leak is from the casing/valve joint, replace the A/C compressor relief valve (see A/C COMPRESSOR RELIEF VALVE REPLACEMENT ) If the leak is coming from the suction hose and/or discharge hose fittings on the compressor, clean the A/C fittings and replace the suction/discharge fitting O-rings For all other compressor leaks, remove and replace the A/C compressor (see A/C COMPRESSOR REPLACEMENT )
Evaporator	Start checking for evaporator leaks by illuminating the evaporator drain tube area Let the vehicle sit for 30 minutes with the engine off, and the doors and windows closed Then place the detector probe in the center vent, and turn the fan on to low speed If a leak is found, remove the evaporator core (see EVAPORATOR CORE REPLACEMENT ) Determine whether leak is from the evaporator or the expansion valve Use a permanent marker pen to circle the leak area Replace the expansion valve (see EXPANSION VALVE REPLACEMENT ), or the evaporator core (see EVAPORATOR CORE REPLACEMENT ), depending upon which is leaking