Soapy water for leak testing

[kopeck]

What ratio of soap to water is used for leak testing? I know what I grabbed last night had way to much water (didn't have much "stick" to it, it was what I had left over from placing some decals). I did a quick google search and found 2 parts water to 1 part soap but that seems like a lot of soap.

I know I probably don't have to be very exact I'm just looking for a starting point.

Thanks,

K

 

[John T]

I dont use anywhere near that much soap. what I find that really helps is the use of hot water. Im sure you can buy the regular stuff propane installers or tire shops use, but for no more then I ever need it, hot soapy water works just fine. I think I even grabbed some of the grandkids bubbles soap before IT REALLY WORKS GREAT and is cheap......

John T

 

[PJH]

I use the wife's bottle of Windex, or whatever brand she's using at the moment. I usually get it back before she even discovers it's missing. It seems to be the perfect ratio, and I don't have to fool with any leftovers.

 

[Butch(OH)]

I never mixed it heavy at all? Been more than once I needed some to check a tube or air pressure fittig when ma just happened to be washing dishes and dipped it ou t of the sink. Depends on how hardthe water is, in a pinch you can get away with close to none in rain water.

 

[kopeck]

The only issue I've seen is that the more watery stuff I have mixed up doesn't seem to work on fitting that are vertical, it runs off before you can see any bubbles.

I think I'll just add some more soap and see how it goes.

K

 

[Anonymous-0]

There is no soap any longer.

It's all detergent.

 

[LJD]

I think you're over-thinking it. All you need is something that's going to make bubbles and show you the leak. The ratio is going to depend on whatever you are using.

I had to check a propane leak on an RV furnace yesterday. I put a few drops of Dawn dish-detergent in a cup and filled 1/4 with water. Shook it and saw bubbles so I figured it was good enough. Put in a spray bottle and sprayed the gas connector - and sure enough - in a minute or so I had bubbles coming out of the flare nut. I found a badly made and leaking flare.

 

[Brian G. NY]

We always have those little bottles of bubble making soap around for the grandkids. Works well;
I have even used it for mounting tires.

 

[Brian G. NY]

A friend of mind likes to "think out of the box".
When he was looking for a leak in his tractor tube, he put about a third of a cup of water "inside" the tube.
He inflated the tube and rotated it around while watching the bottom for the water to leak out.
Worked really well!

 

[OldFarmTractor]

Homemade Bubbles
from Kids Domain Craft Exchange
1/2 (500 ml) cup dishwashing detergent
4-1/2 (4.5 liter) cup water
4 tablespoons (60 ml) glycerin (available in pharmacies or chemical supply houses)
Soap Bubble Formula

 

[Bob Huntress]

My super secret formular for soapy water that I use to check A/C lines with is a thinky of water and a squirt of soap. I use exactly one metric squirt of (brand name insert here) dish detergent. For real, it is just smething to make bubbles when pressurized air/gases leak onto it.