Homemade smoke tester diy

[zero 1162]

A smoke tester is used to find vacuum leaks.

I decided to make my own from stuff I had lying around.

I got an old steamed pudding pot, but any pot and lid will do.

I then drilled two holes in the lid with a step drill.

Use a long bolt to connect the base of the pot to the lid and tighten it so its airtight. I used some rtv here to be sure.

Then I got some old hose and I connected it from one hole in the pot to the brake booster vacuum pipe. The vacuum pipe just pulls straight out of the brake booster on the e46.

I got a second shorter piece of hose and connected it to the nozzle on my vacuum cleaner (I just used duct tape so no air would escape) and set the vacuum cleaner to the 'blow' function.

Now we need to block the inlet on the engine so we get a proper airtight seal. I removed the airbox and maf and put a rubber glove over the inlet pipe wrapped with a rubber band.

Then its just a case of dropping something inside the pot that will smoke, turning on the vacuum cleaner and putting the vacuum cleaner hose in the second hole of the pot. If you don't have a vacuum cleaner with a blow function you can just blow into the hose with your mouth.

I tried many different things as a source for smoke, from tightly balled newspaper coated in citronella, to engine oil, to transmission oil. In the end the thing that worked best was incense sticks. I bought a whole box from the dairy for $1 (which was also the total cost of this project).

Then just start looking for where the smoke escapes from. I found it easier to see with the pollen filter compartment removed (just 4 torx screws), but with real tough to find leaks you might want to take off a few more covers.

This homemade smoke tester setup discovered the vacuum leaks on both my cars - neither of which I knew for sure had vacuum leaks.

I hope this is useful for the community

Edited May 30, 2017 by zero

[zero 1162]

Updated with pictures now

[gjm 3258]

Awesome.

[zero 1162]

15 minutes ago, gjm said:

Awesome.

Unfortunately Babara has a two pack a day addiction now.

[Olaf 3318]

Totally awesome.  I guess the incense cones may provide easier interfacing with your form factor too.

so with your smoke heading out, you look for leaks by spotting the disturbances in your smoke stream, yeah?

only question remains is: 

which is more effective?  Sandalwood, Strawberry, or Karmic Love Scent? ?

[aja540i 1906]

Nice work, but how will you make steam pudding now?

 

[BreakMyWindow 1874]

You can buy portable stage smoke machines for about 40-60bux which do the trick as well when combined with some suitable piping.

Edited May 30, 2017 by BreakMyWindow

[Sammo 2544]

@zero nice, going to try this next weekend and saw this nice kiwi approach!

Don't think I have an vacuum leak but might as well see

[KwS 2425]

On 5/30/2017 at 7:34 PM, BreakMyWindow said:

You can buy portable stage smoke machines for about 40-60bux which do the trick as well when combined with some suitable piping.

This is what I did. Grabbed one off trademe, came with fluid and works a treat. Had to bodge the outlet a bit so I could stick a hose on it. 

I tried the incense thing first but the smoke machine is much more effective. 

[zero 1162]

Thats a way nicer setup @KwS 

What did it cost?

[KwS 2425]

Bugger all, whatever the cost of the smallest smoke machine was on tardme. 

Plus, unhook the hose and you can have your own rave. Glow sticks optional. 

[zero 1162]

I will get one cause every e46 owner needs one lol

 

[BreakMyWindow 1874]

The other alternative is to get a mate who vapes.

[Sammo 2544]

32 minutes ago, BreakMyWindow said:

The other alternative is to get a mate who vapes.

Are their lungs going to be up to the task though ?