Zenith 46" projection TV - blue haze?

Suddenly my projection TV has a blue ghost-like haze toward the bottom of the screen. It is especially noticeable when there are words on the screen, like movie credits. I have tried to adjust the convergence grid and colors, but nothing helps. The few repairmen in my area said that it could be anything, even speakers or electronic devices in the vicinity. They also advised to unplug it and let it sit for an hour and it might reset itself (it didn't). They said that, bottom line, it might be cheaper to buy a new large-screen TV rather than try to repair this one (I bought it in 1998). Does anybody know of something else I might try before I send it to the TV graveyard?

There is a fluid that all CRT based projection TVs put in a chamber located between the face of the three picture tubes (red, green and blue) and the focus lenses. This fluid serves two purposes: 1) it acts as a heat absorber (the fluid is glycol and it's basically anti-freeze) and 2) it assists in the focusing (by the shape of the chamber). If this fluid leaks then the associated color (blue in your case) will loose focus starting along the bottom and work it's way up the picture. You can find out if this is your problem by wiggling the TV and if the focus problem sloshes back and forth then you know for sure.

If this is the problem then you have two things to consider, 1) where is the fluid going? Is it hitting any electronic parts, or just spilling onto my carpet? 2) can I find a technician who will put in new fluid and seals or will they only offer to change the whole tube. it won't be cheap in any case but the first option will be much cheaper in parts. Sounds like the light engine, about $400 or so.

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