Oil Leak Dye

How Can Oil Leak Dye Pinpoint Leaks
and Save Money?

Any system that circulates fluids eventually develops leaks. Making matters worse, these leaks can occur rather insidiously and may damage equipment before you realize there's a leakage issue.

The 5 Problems of Undetected Leaks
The fact is that a majority of fluid systems in operation today are leaking--somewhere, somehow. Undetected or unattended fluid leaks are likely costing more than anyone realizes in lost machinery performance, top-off costs, safety hazards, excess downtime, higher maintenance costs, etc. It only makes sense, therefore, that a comprehensive preventive maintenance program should include leak detection. Even without a preventive program in place, if you notice your machinery running sluggishly, or that your fluids are running hotter (or becoming less viscous), it is time to check for leaks.

Though machinery wear and tear during operation can result in small internal system leaks, system leakage often does not become evident until symptoms show up externally. So detection is the first line of defense in leak control. Once detected, however, quick action should be taken to pinpoint the location(s) of fluid loss, and the amount of fluid involved. Pinpointing the amount of fluid loss is where your reservoir management records come in, so be sure to keep them up-to-date and available to all who need them.

How Leak Dyes Work
Oil leak dye allows operators to quickly pinpoint where leak(s) are occurring. Oil leak dyes are fluids that are compatible with the oils to which they are added (systems run effectively with the oil leak dye in it) and which show up under ultraviolet (UV) light. A small quantity of oil leak dye is added to the fluid system. The system is then turned on and run for a while, permitting the dye to circulate.

After a time, wherever there is a leak, the oil leak dye will accumulate and glow an iridescent color (the colors vary with different manufacturers) when illuminated under a UV light. This method detects even pinhole leaks, offering irrefutable evidence of a problem. Once corrected, the observed leak sites can be sprayed with a different chemical that neutralizes the UV sensitivity of the oil leak dye and signifies that the leak has been repaired.

In case you are prone to procrastinate on leak repair, be mindful that for heavily used equipment a drop of oil lost every 10 seconds adds up to about 80 gallons -- a drum and a half -- of fluid annually. As the old adage says, 'Time is money.'

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Talk with Us Today
If you want expert help with leak prevention, or want to discuss a good overall strategy for managing fluids, call Acculube. Our fluid specialists can recommend the best oil leak dye for your operations, and help get your equipment fluid-tight again.
Contact Us: 1.800.404.2570 or email us at sales@acculube.com

Accurate Lubricants & Metalworking Fluids, Inc.• 403 Homestead Avenue; Dayton, Ohio 45417 USA • Phone: 937-461-9906 Fax: 937-461-9917
© 2017 by Accurate Lubricants & Metalworking Fluids, Inc. located in Dayton, Ohio U.S. All rights reserved.