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This video shows the basic construction of a homemade smoke machine. This was made to check for leaks in the intake system of an engine or the emission EVAP system. You can also check the exhaust for leaks. All this without the engine running! No hot parts to burn yourself or moving parts to get caught in.
Spraying carb cleaner or WD-40 around the suspected area just makes a mess and you often can’t see or reach where the leak may be.
I have not included all the little bit in the construction as the video would be an hour long. Just look at the video and you will get the picture, just use common sense.
Speaking of common sense, remember that this is homemade, and it works for me, but I cannot control what you do. Also be aware that their is controversy about homemade smoke machines, Google “homemade smoke machine” and read what comes up.
One thing is the use of Baby Oil to make smoke. Some have said that this will foul sensors. I have not had any issues with this, but please eliminate the MAF sensor from the test, it will foul the sensor wire.
Another concern is the testing pressure. Automotive standards for EVAP testing is 1.5 psi. The BBQ regulator used is exactly 1.5 psi, no concerns for me here.
Another concern is using shop air for testing the EVAP. This is a valid point! Normally you will find an very rich fuel/air ratio in the fuel tank, this will not support combustion, unless you pump oxygen rich air into it. I only use the Argon from my MIG welder for EVAP testing.
Testing the intake manifold for leaks can be done with shop air.
Use of the smoke machine does require some automotive knowledge.
I have used this many times and I am confident that it will last and be very useful. Finding EVAP leaks can be the most frustrating aspect of automotive repairs. I used to fix only about 1 in 10 “EVAP leaks” as I could not actually see or sometimes reach to visually inspect. The leak in the video of the carbon canister connection was only found using dye in the oil, not enough smoke was present.
I can answer some questions about the basics of my smoke machine, and some about how to use it, but I am not a know all about using this on your particular vehicle.
I hope that those of you who are into some backyard repairs can use this information to help you solve these troublesome EVAP leaks.
I do not wish to get into a debate on how this will damage this or that, I have made my own decision to go with this.
Enjoy.
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Good setup. If I were to block off all the fuel lines and evap lines in the fuel system would it be safe to use shop air?
Yes it would be safe to use shop air if you disconnected the EVAP and other lines from the fuel tank and capped them, but it would hardly be practical. Many times the leak can be found in the EVAP connections to the fuel tank or the lines on the filler neck. Also in most cases you would have to drop the fuel tank to disconnect the lines. You could find an O2 tank and use that. O2 is carbon dioxide and used in the food industry for soda dispensing machines.
Check Craigs List, they can be found cheap. I used my MIG tank because that is what I already had.
thanks for the video. What size wire did you use for the heating element?
I applaude your design, but man is that complicated. I saw one where a guy had a small air pump. coffee can with tubing and a cigar. It worked fine.
Jim, I bought some 28 gauge wire off ebay, about 6 ft of it. I only needed about 18"
Informative video, thanks.
Great set up. I have a question I hope you can answer. Where did you get the insulated connectors attached through the side of the paint can? The nichrome wire gets hot and will melt the plastic. Thanks.
What did you use for the insulated binding posts you installed through the can and connect to the nichrome wire? What you use look heavy duty and able to handle some amps. I can't seem to find anything that resembles them on eBay or Amazon.
I used some insulated binding posts from Radio Shack and one started to melt. Obviously not good. Thanks!
Sir, Thank you for your solution for a DIY smoke machine. Could you possibly post a parts list and some of the details of assembly? What gauge nichrome wire and what length to get the temp. needed? Also what the distances are from the wire wick assembly to the bottom of the can etc.
Great video loaded with the correct information as far as air supply and manometer usage, but some still pictures would be great to see the fittings used and their configurations,the video is moving pretty fast to see all the configurations. The argon gas is a great knowledge addition. Thanks again.