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milling machine
User
Feb 27, 2010, 9:01 AM
Post #1 of 12
(7701 views)
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smoke machine
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I have a little homemade smoke machine that I use to test for vacuum leaks, I was wondering if anyone knows if it is normal for the IAC valve housing to smoke under as little pressure as 1psi ? This is a 97 ford explorer.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 27, 2010, 9:21 AM
Post #2 of 12
(7698 views)
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Re: smoke machine
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Gotta admit I don't check for leaks that way but guess it's a popular way. TMK things all along the way except for the intentional air intake should not leak, anything involving vacuum, hoses, devices, gaskets and on. That would apply to anything in the last at least 20+ model years,
T
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milling machine
User
Feb 27, 2010, 10:28 AM
Post #3 of 12
(7693 views)
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Re: smoke machine
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So you think it should not leak ? And by the way if you suspected a leaky lower intake gasket how would you go about checking for it ?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 27, 2010, 1:45 PM
Post #4 of 12
(7687 views)
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Re: smoke machine
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It shouldn't leak. Been ages but some items had metered leaks on purpose but nothing near this.
What I have luck with and it has its risks so be ready if you try or don't. I use plain carb/throttle body cleaner in short bursts on a non piping hot engine at target areas suspected or possible. Idle speed as you do this with it running will either falter, improve or react about the way it runs when it should do nothing so there's would be an issue there.
WARNING! CARB CLEANER PRODUCTS ARE NOT ALL THE SAME VOLITILITY SO REACTIONS CAN BE DIFFERENT. THAT AND THE RISK OF A FLASH OF FIRE IS THERE SO BE READY OR DON'T. IF YOU DO, DO ONE ITEM OR AREA AT A TIME AND LET IT DRY UP. DON'T OVERDO IT AND DON'T SPRAY DIRECTLY ON HOT PARTS LIKE EXHAUST.
I suppose you could do this with water too but I've done this so long and found so many faults this way that weren't obvious that I still will. There are other ways too. Good luck - play safe,
T
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milling machine
User
Feb 27, 2010, 3:41 PM
Post #5 of 12
(7681 views)
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Re: smoke machine
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Thanks for the answer
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re-tired
Veteran
/ Moderator
Feb 27, 2010, 10:32 PM
Post #6 of 12
(7673 views)
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Re: smoke machine
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I too use this way of finding vac leaks . I switch out caps on the can with those that have a straw on them ie WD40. For to those who go GASP!!! HORROR'S , you can buy a mechanics stethoscope with just the hose on it. A length of 3/8 hose held to the ear does just as well . When the hose goes over the leak it will sound like a tornado.
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 27, 2010, 10:56 PM
Post #7 of 12
(7670 views)
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Re: smoke machine
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Re: Saving assorted can nozzles/caps:
Me too! Surprising how many different ones there are. Little hoses won't fit or caps themselves won't fit so save those odd ones and you'll find one that will spray with the plastic.
Side topic: With lubing things that require spraying up - vehicles or household stuff with whatevers like WD-40, try a lighter to make a right angle or as needed out of end of plastic spray tube - it usually works to bend it so can can be held upright and get spray in precarious places as needed,
T
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milling machine
User
Mar 1, 2010, 12:16 PM
Post #8 of 12
(7655 views)
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Re: smoke machine
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I have never tried a stethescope, I will get one and see what happens.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 4, 2010, 10:42 AM
Post #9 of 12
(7632 views)
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Re: smoke machine
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It works good but you have to get it pointed right at the leak. The smoke is more reliable.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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DanD
Veteran
/ Moderator
Mar 5, 2010, 5:10 AM
Post #10 of 12
(7620 views)
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Re: smoke machine
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Yea I use my smoke/EVAP test machine all the time. Stuff a plastic bag or whatnot in the tail pipe; cover the throttle valve opening with tape and pump the smoke in through the PCV circuit. You’d be amazed at how many cold running issues I’ve fixed by doing this.
Had this one 4.0lt Explorer that the first 2 minutes or so after start-up, would run like crap; had to keep feathering the throttle to keep it running. As soon as a bit of temp got to it, it ran like a new vehicle.
4 out of the 6 injector seals and a very small upper plenum gasket leak would only show smoke (leakage) when the engine was stone cold.
You could of emptied cans of air intake cleaner on this one and never found the leaks.
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
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JACKBCRICH
New User
Dec 11, 2010, 7:43 AM
Post #11 of 12
(6901 views)
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Re: smoke machine
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HOW DID YOU MAKE IT? OR WHAT DID YOU USE?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 19, 2010, 7:56 AM
Post #12 of 12
(6839 views)
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Re: Finding Vacuum leaks
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Kinda an old thread sport. What are you working on and what are the problems?
Start a new thread with specific issues/questions will help,
T
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Dec 19, 2010, 8:07 AM)
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