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Adding dye to system?

Metal Man on Tue April 17, 2012 8:09 AM User is offline

Hello guys,

I have a few questions about adding dye to the ac system. How do you know if a vehicle already has dye in it? If i have to add dye, how much is needed. My last question is, does the dye need to be accounted for? What i mean by this is,can i just added the required amount straight to the system that already has the proper amount of oil and refrigerant or does the dye come in a oil base and actually take the place of oil in the system?

Sorry for all the questions i just need a little better understanding of what space the dye takes up in the system.

Cussboy on Tue April 17, 2012 11:40 AM User is offline

The amount of dye is miniscule, so it typically is packaged for the consumer dissolved in refrigeration oil. I believe typically 1 or 2 ounces of oil/dye. So include that volume as part of the refrigeration oil.

You should be able to tell if the system already has dye in it by using a black light and looking at the service valves after the caps are removed (dim light, UV light. yellow lenses).

Metal Man on Tue April 17, 2012 7:33 PM User is offline

Thanks cussboy.

Kestas on Fri April 27, 2012 10:30 PM User is offline

I just had a random thought occur to me. I've successfully used the UV dye sold for a/c in my a/c system. And at work I use a powdered UV dye that I add to epoxy for work that I do. It dissolves completely in the epoxy. Why couldn't we use the same powdered dye for a/c work? It's in powder form, so there's no compatibility issues with r134a or r12. It can even be premixed with your refrigerant oil of choice for easier application. The powder stuff is incredibly cheap. It can ber bought for $5 a pound. And a pound goes a long way.

Cussboy on Sat April 28, 2012 9:53 AM User is offline

I wouldn't use non-AC dye, as wrong type could cause expensive issue.

For example, there are fluorescing compounds that are polar or ionic, and some that are non-polar. One would use a polar or ionic one for leak checking a radiator system, but a non-polar one for AC systems. If you get insoluble dye or insoluble anything in your system, you better trash that vehicle....

Edited: Sat April 28, 2012 at 9:53 AM by Cussboy

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