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MG MG Y Type - Cure to XPAG Oil Leaks

I have read Dave DuBois' excellent article in the "Technical Centre" section of this website, regarding the cure of oil leaks of the XPAG. In his introductory text, he suggests to put a leak detect dye into the oil and use a black light to find any leaks.

1. I wonder, how much of the dye must be added to the 10.5 pints engine oil, in order to properly show any leaks? And / or

2. Can anyone please let me have Daves e-Mail address, so I can ask him this question. Unfortunately his mail is not hot linked....

cheers
Anton

P.S.: Where can I find such a dye and a black light?
Anton Piller

Anton, Dave died in January 2019.
Stuart Duncan


Thank you Stuart, for letting me know that Dave has died.

However, can anybody please answer the following 4 questions:

1. Has anybody undertaken a leak detection according to Daves guidelines?

2. How much of the dye must be added to the "big sump" 10.5 pints engine oil (of my YT), in order to properly show any leaks?

3. Would I need to do an oil change, after having added leak detection dye?

4 What supplier/shop would sell me such a dye and a blacklight?.

Yours truely
Anton
Anton Piller

Something like this, as an example from UK eBay, would do, the kit has a torch and a 30ml bottle that does up to 12 litres of engine oil (12 USA quarts, 21 UK pints).

You can keep the torch and get bottles for a/c or coolant or fuel.

- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254852870399

There are alternative kits, torches and bottles that do oil and fuel both and possibly other dyes. See John Twist, and others, video for an alternatives.

No you don't need to change the oil.
Nigel Atkins


Thank you Nigel, your input is much appreciated :o)
Anton
Anton Piller

No problem Anton.

I was going to put the Ring dye which covers oil and fuel but I found the instructions very confusing as to whether the 25ml bottle was enough for 10.5 pints.

Just seen their catalogue leaflet which states "• 25ml will do 8-10 of petrol engine oil, 3-5 litres of diesel engine oil, . . ." so bad copywriting on their website and Instruction leaflet.

See page 2 of attached pdf and here. - (copy & paste to address bar required for this link) - https://www.ringautomotive.com/files/mydocs/CAT137%20Leak%20Detection.pdf

Website - https://www.ringautomotive.com/en/product/RLD4

Instructions - (copy & paste to address bar also required for this link) -https://www.ringautomotive.com/files/mydocs/RLD4%20UV%20DYES%20Instructions%20Fuel%20Oils.pdf

UK eBay example of kit with Ring dye. - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230754744531
Nigel Atkins

The John twist video, with a different dye and a TC. -

228 MG Tech Oil Leak Detection for MG - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G5IxOCWFE8
Nigel Atkins

Sounds like it's the same dye as used in airconditioners etc. although the one we used was bright yellow/green and the light was a large Uv light (don't look directly into it)and you wore a pair of yellow tinted goggles to magnify the colour. I have used it in engines before but thought i was being naughty so didn't mention it.

really handy if you had an oil leak from somewhere like the bellhousing you can poke it in either the g/box or engine to see which one is rude enough to leak out the bottom

Don't get it on your hands though ,it'll be there for quite a while---Had a mate that was checking leaks on an A/C and had some on his hand when he went to the toilet---His nickname since that day is still Greendick
William Revit

Willy,
you can get different dyes for different applications, see here. - https://www.ringautomotive.com/en/workshop-leak-detection

Are you sure this 'mate' wasn't Greenwilly. 🙃
Nigel Atkins

Cheers Nigel, No ,not me buddy.
But it was really funny at the time Green person was a bit of a joker and came to work the next day telling this really long exaggerated story of how he explained to his wife how his thing got to be green, he blamed every single person in the workshop for his issue but it wasn't his fault ---never----lol---still makes me grin thinking about it.
William Revit

A bit off topic, sorry Anton - but Willy's mate should have employed the Norfolk Overhand grip. Saves a lot of bother. Just sayin'.
John.
J P Hall

Fellow Y-Typres.

Thank you all for your feedbacks. They answered all the questions, I had. Plus, l iked the green Dick story - maybe his Missus kept a black light torch under her pillow to free Willy....

The Ring RDL4 sounds good, and by scrolling their flyer, I found a usefull version of a competitor (see attachment). It shows all Liters and pints.

John: what is the Norfolk Overhand Grip? I have been to Norfolk, but somehow missed out on this one o:)

cheers
Anton

P.S.: Now that I know what the dye is all about, maybe, i find a supplier in Switzerland.


Anton Piller

Ha! - probably best you don't know, Anton. Think laterally my friend, this forum is enjoyed by ladies too.. But I love your Free Willy reference!
John.
J P Hall

Anton,
that looks like the ebay seller I put a link to earlier. - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230754744531


Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 12/11/2022 and 18/11/2022

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