Auto Air Conditioning & Heater Repair: Leaking A/C in Toyota Camry, electronic leak detector, uv dye


Question
Hello,  I have a question for you on a 1996 Toyota Camry.  The A/C began getting "warmer" earlier this summer.  I added some R-134 coolant with a kit from AutoZone.  That solved the problem for about a week or two and then it got warm again.  I went back to AutoZone and got a can of coolant with "leak stop".   I added the new can and the same thing happened, it worked for about a week and then got warm again.  Finally, I got a can of coolant with "UV dye" and added it, thinking I could spot the leak.  It's been about 3 weeks now and it's been working fine and when I shine a UV light anywhere under the hood I can't see any leaks!  Could it be that the Dye has finally sealed the leak?  Is it safe to leave the coolant with the Dye in the system or should it be drained and refilled?  Do you have any other suggestions as to where I should look?  Thanks in advance - Bill

Answer
Although I do NOT recommend SEALER, DYE is just fine. You may have sealed the leak but the only place you can't use a black light is at the evaporator core of which could of had a small leak that you sealed with the sealer. It may last for awhile, Months but eventually the leak will re-appear and you will need to use an electronic leak detector to check the evap for a leak.