refrigerant detector or uv dye

[bellysoldier]

Hi,
My 1989 camry wagon was ac leak after retrofited.
2/3 of refrigerant was gone in two weeks.
I want to find it out where it is leaking.
How is the easy and low cost way to use, refrigerant detector or uv dye ?

[Doctor J]

I cannot comment on UV dye, how easy it can detect leaks. The 12 oz can of R134a with dye is around $15, the yellow glasses and the light is about $18. Some users say that the light is not strong enough.The red dye ($7) did not work for me (crack in the condenser). I used static pressure test (nitrogen from scuba tank), but even the dry compressed air may work to test evaporator condenser and compressor shell. The leak in the condenser showed up in two hours (the pressure went down from 90 to 60 psi).

[bellysoldier]

It seems UV dye is cheap to use.
If evaporator condenser and compressor shell leak, maybe uv dye is not the best way to use.