Thought I would share this very useful tool. I redid my motor this winter after unfortunately dropping a valve.

Took the car to the first track open in our area. Last dial in on the car was 5.67. First run as 5.668, Next two 5.67 on a very green track.

Upon running the car I noticed I did not have as much vacuum as I did before. My valves cover gaskets had seen their fair share of on and off. Figured it was that. Replaced them and still not as much vacuum. Wanting to get it back to where it was figuring it was a leak somewhere I double checked everything. I rigged vacuum gage to the inlet of the pump, and it pulled 10inches at idle no problem. Ok so there is a leak somewhere but motor is bone dry and no leaks. I went on amazon and found a cheap smoke machine that had good reviews.

Solary Automotive Smoke Machine Leak Detector - 12V DC EVAP Vacuum Diagnostic Tester for Pipe System

Arrived the next day and I put some Diddy Oil in it (baby lotion). Attached it to the port for my vacuum gage and within 15sec saw two leaks. Back corner of the intake (very tiny amount) and a bunch coming off the fuel block off plate.

Smeared a little right stuff in the corner working it into the area best I could, and pulled the block off plate. Here a little POR paint accumulated and was holding it away. Fixed that and went back down 2 hours later.

Zero signs of smoke and you could hear pressure release when line was pulled off. Fired up the motor and had more vacuum than any motor I've ever had.

This little smoke machine will be the last test I use on future builds before they go in the car. Could be great for checking if a leak occurs also.

Which model did you get. I looked on Amazon and there are many different models. Do think it is a very good idea to test it before you dyno or put in a car. Would be much easier to find with the tester.

P. S. Where did you find the Diddy Lube, I though he had bought it all up? Diddy Lube, LOL that was a good one.

I have a smoke machine but man I have to find something besides baby oil to make the smoke. I can't stand the smell of that stuff after it's burnt to make the smoke.

Link to one I bought


Solary Automotive Smoke Machine... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7...ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

quote:

...I have to find something besides baby oil to make the smoke.

I think mineral oil will work, it's odorless (and tasteless for medicinal purposes) and available at the drug store and probably grocery store.

quote:

Originally posted by Canted Valve:

quote:

...I have to find something besides baby oil to make the smoke.

I think mineral oil will work, it's odorless (and tasteless for medicinal purposes) and available at the drug store and probably grocery store.

Thanks, I will try that.

A PCV toilet flange and a cap that fits it, a Tiki torch wick and a piece of vape or similar wire like mig wire and you have a smoke machine. Plenty of youube videos on how to make them. I use mineral oil for the smoke.

Diddy oil

Thanks for the input!

Just ordered one ......I keep getting an gas cap or vacuum leak error code on my daily driver that I'm hoping this helps with....the main reason I ordered this is to check my Cummins diesel truck for leaks in the turbo system.....If this tester finds either or both of these issues it will be worth 5 times what I paid for the tester....I spend more than $65 when I take the grandkids out for dinner..lol

quote:

Originally posted by imakehp:
Just ordered one ......I keep getting an gas cap or vacuum leak error code on my daily driver that I'm hoping this helps with....the main reason I ordered this is to check my Cummins diesel truck for leaks in the turbo system.....If this tester finds either or both of these issues it will be worth 5 times what I paid for the tester....I spend more than $65 when I take the grandkids out for dinner..lol

You will find it with this machine. It creates a little pressure - which really exposes compromised areas. I could see the smoke in the areas of my car within a few seconds. Takes the guess work out. I will try to upload videos. rewatching the video if you use it on motor with vacuum pump you will need to cap the area you pull from otherwise the smoke will come out puke tank making it harder to detect where the smoke is coming from. You can see the AN cap on mine. Once I capped that - you can see the results turning it back on.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PGbUZBT77tYZTvKe9

Very informative. I am getting one. Thanks for posting this.

quote:

Originally posted by Joe C:
Very informative. I am getting one. Thanks for posting this.

Glad it helped.

I bought one. Received it yesterday 1 May.. Mine did not work. Sending it back today and they are sending me another.

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by Canted Valve:

quote:

...I have to find something besides baby oil to make the smoke.

I think mineral oil will work, it's odorless (and tasteless for medicinal purposes) and available at the drug store and probably grocery store.

I looked at my bottle of Baby oil and it says "Mineral oil and fragrance."

Years ago I made one of these machines with a 5 gallon bucket, hoses etc. Was a pain to use and used one of those cigars. Smelled nasty as can be.

I got one of these in today and will try it out soon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9..._fed_asin_title&th=1

I got it set up and tried it. Very easy to set up and use. Found a small leak around Distributor which is not surprising and easy to fix. In fact I usually put RTV around the collar after I dyno and get everything where I want it. The other leak is rather surprising. I have an Endelre 80 pump driven off the cam with RCD gear drive and it was leaking around the collar on the fuel pump. I will remove it and put a thin film of RTV around it and should not have any issues when it is under vacuum and my seals are for vacuum so they may not seal as well with little pressure.

So it is a handy little machine and worth the money. I spent almost as much money and a lot of time to make my old smoke tester and it did not work as well. Plus mine was much larger and bulky. This is a cheap little machine and may not last forever but I recommend it.

quote:

Originally posted by David Covey:
I bought one. Received it yesterday 1 May.. Mine did not work. Sending it back today and they are sending me another.

Dave

UPDATE:

Replacement came yesterday and works like a champ. Almost wish I didn't get it.
Both valve covers and rear main leaking..
And I thought I was almost ready to go..

Dave

I use a smoke machine that I bought at a Halloween shop. It burns kerosene.
Works great.

Bought one last week. Filled it up and put it on the oil fill in the valve cover. Took a minute or so but I saw smoke coming out the carb.

Yep, the intake gasket wasn't sealed on #2 and #4.

Glad you fellas got one and its helping diagnose issues you probably didn't even know you had.

Hooking mine up periodically will just be part of my maintenance routine. Easy and super effective.

Ordered one and found out where my oil leak was coming from. Suspected a front seal leak but it was actually timing pointer holes in the timing cover that couldn't be seen with the balancer installed (Milodon Gear Drive). Got really excited that I fixed the oil leak and decided to do an oil change only to find some bits of metal stuck to my drain plug. Long story short, broke a cam thrust bearing & race, also damaged mounting surface on the block. Back to the drawing board...