While the car is new, but with an attentive owner, there are no special problems. The owner will detect the first leak and try to eliminate it. But here’s another picture: the car is old, and the owner-cleaner disdaines once again to open the hood, under which there is real ruin, desolation … Finding an unpressurized place in a particular system is not easy even in a good service, where the master nuggets by smell, color, consistency (and then to taste!) determine where and what flows. And if there are no nuggets? Apparently, we need techniques that will facilitate the search for leaks and the mere mortal. And they are created. Rumor has it that they borrowed them from the military-industrial complex, but the main thing for us is that the method for determining leaks is simple, beautiful, and also extremely reliable. A certain amount of a special fluid capable of fluorescing in the rays of an ultraviolet lamp is poured into the studied system. Having illuminated the area of interest with it, the master immediately sees a leak.
Of course, the development of a fluorescent fluid required considerable effort - because it should not have a harmful effect on the environment, upset the balance of additives contained in the oil, enter into chemical reactions with it or with the materials of automobile parts. Difficult requirements. Perhaps that is why today there is no universal product. In photo 1 we show three main types. On the left is a fluid intended for lubrication systems, various gearboxes, power steering, and fuel system. In the center - for air conditioning. Right - for the engine cooling system.
In case of confusion there will be no tragedy - simply the effect of the “wrong” liquid is minimal, a small leak can be missed. For ease of dispensing, all banks have measuring scales. The instructions attached to the product indicate where and how much to fill. For example, in a lubrication system of an engine with a capacity of 3.8-5.7 l, it is enough to fill 15 ml of the drug, 7.5 ml is enough for an air conditioner containing 0.7-1 kg of freon, and about 45-70 l for fuel 30 ml
Fluorescent liquid to control the cooling system will also help when checking the tightness of the sunroof (photo 2), doors, etc. And on some cars, when the rainwater is clogged, it penetrates from the engine compartment into boxes, spars and even splashes under the feet of the rear passengers - try to find the source in the old fashioned way! The described method greatly simplifies the work.
It is curious that initially the biggest problems for motorists were air conditioners - precisely the lack of tools for their diagnosis. By primitive methods, without additional equipment, it is often impossible to find a freon leak site. This is how refueling syringes appeared (photo 3) with adapters for air conditioning fittings - now even a novice mechanic will be able to quickly fill the system with fluorescent liquid and check its tightness in a matter of minutes. But for the runaway liquid to glow, an ultraviolet flashlight is needed. They are offered in several types: both with battery power and with an autonomous battery. The second option, of course, is more convenient, more universal, but the shockproof case and the adapter for the charger on the back cover (photo 4) led to its higher cost. Safety glasses are mandatory in the kit, as a powerful ultraviolet stream is harmful to the eyes.
Some companies, servicing a customer’s car, add the necessary preparations in advance to oils, coolant, etc. A similar product appears on the market: when, say, “Tosola” is replaced, a new coolant poured into the system is already able to fluoresce.
