Tom-GV

Has anyone tried using a fluorescent dye to detect for oil leaks?

PFB

This is a very effective, and inexpensive method of pin pointing the source of an oil leak. (Or Coolant leak, or AC Leak). I've had excellent results in pin pointing the source of a non-obvious coolant leak on my Mercedes.

As long as the leak is not internal (ie: burning oil), it will show-up

Coulter

I agree, it's a great way to track down leaks. What's great is you can easily see the "trail" of the leak and where it first comes out. It's very easy to be fooled where a leak is coming from, and saves you a lot of wasted time. It should be in every DIY'ers toolbox.

I want to say a kit that comes with the UV light, glasses, dye, and cleanup solution is around $40-$50. If you really wanted to be cheap, you could probably just buy the dye itself for $4-$5 at an autoparts store and find a UV bulb at Home Depot for a few dollars.

Diogenes

MY VW dealer has used UV dye successfully several times to find leaks. Having the engine steam cleaned is a lower tech way of leak chasing. Good luck.

mattdoc

My company uses a dye and blacklight for hydraulic leaks. Cummins, our engine supplier, uses the same dye in a different brand name for engine oil leaks. They might sell 6oz bottles of it but may not sell to the public, instead keeping it for their techs only.
You might try a kit like this.

This light is expensive but works well. (It's one we use, and costs $700, beyond the home mechanic's price range)
This is the raw dye chemical.