I was watching a 2018 SD video this morning while working. This is the one where SD is having a fit finding an evap leak on a Honda Civic and vows it is his last evap leak job.
I got to wondering if the mineral oil used in evap smoke machines would fluoresce under a black light? I did a few minutes of internet searching and it seems like it may. It just seemed like it might be easier to see a small leak with a black light as you will, hopefully, only see the smoke and any other material which just happens to fluoresce.
If I can find my blacklight out in the shed I can give it a try by burning some mineral oil. Just curious if anyone has ever tried this.
That's a good question. There is an additive we can use in the machine at the shop for this, but I haven't tried it.
I personally like soapy water to find stubborn evap leaks when the flow gauge on the tool shows there is a leak but I can't seem to find any smoke.
Thanks. I'm a shade tree mechanic I am found of soapy water as well since I don't have a smoke machine. I was just curious about the mineral oil fluorescing as it seems that it could be handy, maybe for a hose hidden above a gas tank, etc. I did read where Olive oil did fluoresce which would make for an inexpensive and easy to obtain additive.
I use a Motorvac Cool Smoke machine which uses a special oil (not baby oil) which does glow under UV light. It is also a safer smoke machine because it doesn't use a heat source. It can also do leak testing with or without turning on the smoke.
That is interesting that it uses no heat. I would suspect than that it creates a mist from the mineral oil. The mist concerns me though as one thing I have found out using a coolant mister on machine tools is that particle size matters. If the mist generated is too fine it is irritating to breath and can cause lung issue for some people. I think maybe they would have accounted for this in there design.
Looking at the MSDS sheet they describe the fluid as having a 'mineral oil like' odor and it flash point is similar so I would suspect it is mineral oil with a fluorescent dye.
I think with mineral oil vapor the biggest danger to the technician might be getting the runs from breathing too much of it in
We use a Redline Total Tech Smoke pro in the shop. The original oil specified for it was pure mineral oil Not sure if it flouresce or if mineral oil with dye can be used in it.
I have found that a laser light can help identify small smoke leaks in some cases. I used (and recommend) the Fluke RLD2 leak detection flashlight. Compact and has both Lazer light plus UV light combined along with stand light capabilites.
I have also been successful using Safety Seal Tire Leak seaker in a spray bottle to find some leaks.
Normal mineral oil does not.
There once was a product out there for smoke machines that
did have some dye but I have not seen it anymore.
Pure mineral oil which I use in RedTek is completely clear.
I think Snap on had it a few tears back but my dealer never carried it.
If anyone cares to research it and finds a product please post it.
I bought a bottle a couple years ago from Snap-On, misplaced it here in the garage at home. I found out I misplaced it as I was going to buy a bottle from my franchisee and asked him to look and see if I'd ever bought it and low and behold he said I'd bought one so I decided I'll wait till I find it. Till then I have a bottle of regular mineral oil.
My machine was a like new picked up from pawn shop about half the price and it worked the two times I've used it. I believe it's a Mac tools and came with all the adapters, etc.
OTC brand. Appx 1 lb it says. Expensive but says approved by certain vehicle mfrs.
Does the forum alter a link to a website when you post it? Seems they're coming short and with .....'s where letters should be. I must be doing something wrong or does it go to a mod for approval then show the link? Confused?
