DIY Automotive Smoke Machine | Test for Vacuum Leaks

I wanted a better way to test my exhaust for leaks than just using soapy water, so I build this super simple smoke generator!
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[@jonathonwilliams93]

Anyone watching this, this tip may help: instead of baby oil, use vegetable glycerol and add some food coloring. Those people who have vapes will often have vape liquid with food coloring ro make it look cool or whatever, same thing applies here. Mix that shit together and it will provide a colored smoke wherever the leak is. Happy trails guys!

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

Never thought about food coloring!

[@garychandler4296]

Gotta say...at about 18 min when you gave your afterwords" comments, you became a freekin HERO!
Now imma findin out where my PO136 is. Such a cheap fix, and my '04 Dakota 4x4 will need it again. Old rubber at its best!

[@johncalvey96]

Cool vid thanks for takin the time!! And thank your for the extra tips on which fluid works best!! I need one and don't wanna wait for a delivery!!lol

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

Glad to help, and thanks for watching!

[@Jim-ug4qj]

had an old aquarium air pump and used that instead of my compressor. 🤗

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

I hadn't thought of that....might be easier than dialing a compressor to such a low PSI

[@Xzacktly22]

I was thinking of using an old nebulizer ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@snake_eyes_garage]

mmmmm burnt baby oil... that's a neat build. Another thing I learned on TH-cam is how you can have a leak somewhere in the carb/manifold and not know it - causing loss of power, overheating under vacuum. I could have used this so many times over the years had I known to check for that.

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

ME too!! I build for the exhaust I'm working on right now, but yeah, I've always used carb cleaner or starting fluid to look for vacuum leaks

[@ElectricEric]

That is actually a really good idea. I want to get one together so I can check airflow on a couple of custom computer cases I have

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

I never thought of using it for something like that!

[@masterofnonetv8361]

Make a little carry case for this and put a battery in with and it and a cordless compressor.

[@MrHarleynut]

The guy with an HF fluid transfer pump and a swisher sweet cigar has a much easier way with heavier smoke.

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

Good for him....I haven't touched a swisher sweet since high school

[@edig4687]

As a bee keeper, I’m wondering why such a complex “smoker”. Feel free to adapt a bee smoker and job is done 😅

[@Meatpipeify]

Main reason is an automotive smoke machine needs to apply a little pressure to the system to force the smoke out. Don’t think a bee smoker does that.

[@TracyIce]

Why you smokin bees? lol

[@andrewtaylor4554]

How about a mosquito coil ? Or incense

[@thesushifiend]

But how many babies do you need to squeeze enough oil out of them to run this though?

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

You'd be surprised how much oil you can get from just one...

[@Comm0ut]

I use a cider press modded with a rapid double-acting pneumatic cylinder to fill a 55 gallon drum each fall. Stock required depends baby size and composition so there's no fixed rule to calculate yield. My Newfie bro delivers by the pallet and says harvesting is like seal hunting but profitable any season.

[@brittanywright9646]

I wonder if you could just use a heavy duty resistor instead. Older Mercedes used a heavy duty ballast resistor to control fan speed for their aux fans, so I wonder if it would work instead on having to build a coil.

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

I'm not sure the resistor would get hit enough, or have enough surface area to make enough smoke volume

[@brittanywright9646]

@@MoonBuiltGarage It's pretty massive: looks like a 2.5 - 3 inch coil spring that is about 3 mm in diameter

[@Comm0ut]

@@brittanywright9646 Give it a try outside the vehicle and note winding temp.

[@garychandler4296]

I recall those old hot running, rugged resistors on more than Mercedes. May work well.

[@allentraylor5659]

what gauge / thickness was the wick-wire ???..

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

Dunno....i had a roll of safety wire

[@Armurp01]

Just for reference .....would it matter if the liquid got on the wick and the safety wire once you close the container off and move it around for Leak Detection use?

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

Not at all...as long as that wick heats up and gets the liquid smoking is all you need

[@Armurp01]

@@MoonBuiltGarage thanks, this video is very informative......might create this for boost leak testing for a turbo

[@garychandler4296]

I've been heating up the wick and smoking, but that's a tale for a latter day...

[@375tommyg]

Does the smoke leave a residue?

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

I haven't noticed any residue

[@comanchejr921]

Can I use copper wire?

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

Possibly, but the resistance measurement will be different....you'll have to measure the resistance at different lengths to get a similar value as what the safety wire gives you, and if it's too long for the same resistance you might not have enough room to make all the wraps without the wire touching

[@clintfinch8546]

much easier with a pickle jar bic pen and a soldering iron

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

What about a paperclip MacGyver?

[@badhabit7379]

Ok , why don't you make a list of all the items you used and a total price of the build

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

I think I mentioned everything in the video...sorry I didn't spell out each and every part in writing...should I hold your hand at the store, too?

[@tylerjacobson6329]

​@@MoonBuiltGarageCan you just come fix it for me?appreciate it

[@royquesada5295]

At the least, what is the wicking material? Can I use oil lamp wick?

[@firebirdlover4460]

tiki torch wicks @@royquesada5295

[@73superglide62]

Were get wick from lol

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EKVOG8Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@MikeSmith-nu9wt]

I found a old junk paint sprayer , to use , do think KY warming liquid would work instead of baby oil ? 😂

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

🤷 🤷 Give it a try and let us know!🤣

[@dontblameme6328]

Use old ATF... free smoke oil.

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

That's an option for those that have old ATF in their shops

[@billtaylor1133]

Gives a complete list of everything needed for what I could care less about and nothing needed to build the smoke machine itself. I gave this one a thumbs down because of that. Great concept but poor execution.

[@MoonBuiltGarage]

Sorry this wasn't broken down Barney-style for ya...I assume my viewers are able to understand basic spoken English, and not need everything written down and spoon-fed...that's what I get for assuming I guess...thanks for watching!