Smoke Testing Engine Intake and Vacuum pipes

[indy4x]

Pretty sure I've seen posts where folks on here have purchased a smoke machine for finding leaks on vehicles

Got a suspect air/vacuum leak on my VW but nothing obvious when checking out the pipework

What did you buy and would you recommend it

 

[dobbslc]

Make one.
Thread 'Vacuum leak smoke machine.' https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/vacuum-leak-smoke-machine.135696/

 

[roofman]

or spray brake cleaner on each joint, engine tone lets you know when found

 

[Kayos]

I bought a cheapish one from Amazon, used baby oil.

Found some tiny leaks on the Insignia and proved egr not jammed open on another car

I was sceptical but I'm a convert

https://amzn.eu/d/5Ocojnp

 

[indy4x]

Thanks for the replies, forum search didn't give me any useful results

@dobbslc would if I had time

@Kayos Amazon order placed

 

[indy4x]

or spray brake cleaner on each joint, engine tone lets you know when found

Some of the pipework is very inaccessible and the brake cleaner wouldn't find a vacuum leak

 

[BrokenBiker]

finding the cracked manifolds on my fathers jag i bought a cheap vape, stuck the mouth piece into a soft rubber hose that fed the inlet manifold then blew through the back end of the vape...impressive amount of smoke comes out of those things, but you do need to remember it is you providing the pressure...

 

[premmington]

Smoke tester kits - that come with blanks to bung up airbox intake.

Baby oil = smoke.

 

[roofman]

Some of the pipework is very inaccessible and the brake cleaner wouldn't find a vacuum leak

vacuum ends up in intake via various ports...is it petrol or diesel ?

 

[Melvyn Best]

Try explaining to my wife why I smell of baby oil!

 

[indy4x]

@roofman its a diesel, 2l Transporter