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Showerthought: That leak detection dye they push at every shop I've been to in Phoenix is causing more problems than it solves
I was working on a Cessna 172 at the Mesa airfield about 2 months ago when I saw a mechanic dump a whole bottle of that UV dye into an engine that just had a slow oil seep. Next week that same plane came back with a blown rear main seal and clogged oil passages. The dye is thick and sticky when it dries. I refuse to use it now in anything. Anyone else seen long term damage from that stuff?
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josephbailey11h ago
Man, that's insane - I've heard stories about that stuff gumming things up but a blown rear main seal from one bottle of dye? That's next level damage right there. I've seen guys use it sparingly on small leaks but never thought it could actually clog oil passages like that. Makes you wonder how many engines got messed up from those shop guys just pouring it in without thinking.
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That's rough, hearing stuff like that makes me cringe for the guy who owned that plane.
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