smoke test

smoke test

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Discussion

Andy70

Original Poster:

1,301 posts

166 months

Sunday 13th October
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Hi all, I've sorted few things on the car, bought a new stepper motor (OE from Motaclan) etc, runs much better but still hunts a bit and just started tick over just started racing a bit again before it settles so suspect I still could have a vacuum leak, it was suggested that I get a smoke test done and noticed that you can buy them quite cheap (probably cheaper than paying a garage to do it?? plus I want to do as much myself anyway if I can), so is it an easy thing to do? I assume you just disconnect a vacuum hose somewhere, plug in and turn on and look out for smoke, if so any particular hose? is it as easy as that? cheers guys

MajorMantra

1,481 posts

119 months

Sunday 13th October
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You can make a little smoke machine out of a cheap soldering iron, a jar, and a few bits of hardware and tubing. Have a look on YouTube for instructions.

miniman

26,303 posts

269 months

Sunday 13th October
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I have a smoke machine (DJ-style) and you’re only 20 miles or so away… shout if you want to try it smile

Andy70

Original Poster:

1,301 posts

166 months

Sunday 13th October
quotequote all
MajorMantra said:
You can make a little smoke machine out of a cheap soldering iron, a jar, and a few bits of hardware and tubing. Have a look on YouTube for instructions.
Yep, thanks for the input, but I've done that, by the time I've researched where to get the components from and the time to make it, I'd rather spend the 60 quid on a proper machine, from what I've researched, you still need pressure too and I don't as yet have a compressor, I'd need to get one of those, plus compatible connectors etc etc etc..provided it's viable for someone like me to do it. I'm not entirely sure what a garage would typically charge for this, but can assume it's well over 100 quid plus vat, which isn't the end of the world, but you can get a proper machine for 60 quid, so it would be nice to try it myself, provided it's an easy DIY job.... If not I'm also happy just to get a garage to do it if its a faff. As far as i know a proper machine also has the pressure required??

Andy70

Original Poster:

1,301 posts

166 months

Sunday 13th October
quotequote all
miniman said:
I have a smoke machine (DJ-style) and you’re only 20 miles or so away… shout if you want to try it smile
Crickey, you guys on here are great, I not only had Bob Boberson come up trumps with a ROVERGAUGE, now I'm being offered the use of a smoke machine, cool! PM me and lets chat, thank you very much

Belle427

9,739 posts

240 months

Monday 14th October
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Pretty sure the smoke machine does all the work.
The idea is you would hook it up to the large plenum inlet hose using an adapter/bung and start the smoke.
Obviously you would need to open the throttle but any leaks in the intake system would show up.

Edited by Belle427 on Monday 14th October 08:41

Andy70

Original Poster:

1,301 posts

166 months

Monday 14th October
quotequote all
Belle427 said:
Pretty sure the smoke machine does all the work.
The idea is you would hook it up to the large plenum inlet hose using an adapter/bung and start the smoke.
Obviously you would need to open the throttle but any leaks in the intake system would show up.

Edited by Belle427 on Monday 14th October 08:41
great thank you

blaze_away

1,555 posts

220 months

Monday 14th October
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Belle427 said:
Pretty sure the smoke machine does all the work.
The idea is you would hook it up to the large plenum inlet hose using an adapter/bung and start the smoke.
Obviously you would need to open the throttle but any leaks in the intake system would show up.

Edited by Belle427 on Monday 14th October 08:41
This is exactly it. Look for smoke in the engine bay obviously but also in drivers footwell as that can suggest diaphragm failure of the brake servo.

Andy70

Original Poster:

1,301 posts

166 months

Tuesday 15th October
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Brilliant thank you