Build a Smoke Machine for Under $10 | How to Smoke Test a Car | Check for Vacuum Leaks

A DIY smoke tester for your car can cheaply and easily be made for around $10. This smoke tester can help identify vacuum leaks, boost leaks, evap leaks and more and is really simple to make! In this episode we show you how to make your own smoke tester machine and save hundreds vs taking it to the mechanic or buying a pre-made machine.

Parts List:
Jar - glass or metal works as long as it doesn't melt.
2 empty pen casings

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**All modifications and work performed on your vehicle are at your own discretion and risk. Please use a fused power strip to avoid electrical damage or fire, never leave unattended and properly dispose of the rags. Always have a fire extinguisher handy and nearby.
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[dustinproffitt]

DO NOT apply more than 2-3 psi pressure to the evap system... pull all the vaccum u want. I like using a cheap 3$ aquarium pump (they are 1-2 psi) to induce smoke so I'm able to move around freely with 2 hands. I also recommend using a metal paint can with a handle rather than glass because iv had glass gars crack and break from the heat. Just some tips from some guy on the internet

[largewhitevan]

Found my evap leak immediately thank you for the advice good sir 👍

[MyLifeThai]

To prevent the smoke from coming out the air box I have seen mechanics pull the air cleaner hose off where it hooks to the Mass Air Flow Sensor. They then put a plastic grocery bag or garbage bag over the tube and then install the tube back on the Mass Air flow sensor.

[djwilson]

A fish tank air pump would work perfectly on this

[wcjcnc]

Thank you! I had everything needed to make this except for the baby oil. I put it together, connected it to my evap system, plugged it in and WOW. Works amazingly well. Lots of smoke. Can’t believe how much smoke it produces. Thanks again!!!

[ButchNackley]

A much more simple way to smoke test is to buy a cheap AC / DC air pump (normally for filling air mattresses). They come with different size nozzles. The input side you use a cigar, the output a piece of hose to a vacuum line. Turn the pump on and watch for where the smoke comes out and there you are. Cost like $10. Works perfectly and it is instant.

[scottwilliam]

Baby oil stinks like crazy, I went to the grocery store and spent 2 or so bucks on glycerin, it's for your skin but it's the exact same thing as smoke machine and vapes

[peterzinia]

You need to be critical of videos like this one. Unless you love life on the edge. First off it takes forever to heat up the iron. What you use to connect the in & out hoses on the lid of the jar is very important. In most of the videos the guys are just drilling holes sticking the outer piece of a Bic pen in the hole & sealing in up w/gasket maker/sealer. Not a good idea because before the soldering iron gets hot enough to create the smoke the jar lid has been getting hotter also & whatever plastic touching the lid will be melting. Second is the fact that most jars aren will crack or shatter, possibly explode(depending on the conditions). Third, You won't get alot of smoke unless your pushing fresh air into the jar. So while you don't see smoke that shit in the jar has gotten hotter than you think. So when you introduce O2 it could ignight & blow up(depends on amount of oil & what type). The jar will be to hot to hold in your hand so you will have to run the hoses from where you place the jar(hopefully on the ground inside something that isn't flamable)flammable. Another thing to consider is the length of your iron. When it's flush mounted onto the lid will it extend down far enough to make contact with the material you use to create the smoke? So you should use a short round jar. So for under 10 bucks you get a piece of shit that could blow up & start your shit on fire. Bad trip! Tips: Use a clean 1 gallon paint can. It's not going to tip over from the weight of a hose. Use air fittings w/ nuts. Won't have melting problem. Good luck, Be Safe, Smoke Pot & prepare for the REVOLUTION!!

[davidholland]

This works fine maybe add a Warning Disclaimer to the video example use a power strip with built-in fuse breaker and properly dispose of oil soaked rags to avoid changing Channel Name to Fire Hazard Garage 🔥 jk keep up Good Content!

[carlitosway]

If you would’ve just hooked up the hose to the intake manifold itself (like the pcv hose u pulled off and broke the pcv 😂)you won’t have to hold the throttle open manually.And I would actually pull the intake off and plug up the throttle body with a rag to get better results as u don’t really need to worry about leaks on the intake as much!

[MazinJabarin]

How long the soldiering iron will last? Mine burned after 2 attempts

[afzaalkhan.m]

Thank you for 😢 tutorial on making a smoke machine, the noise machine the background needs to be lower.

[hillbilliesinthehood]

Thanks for the idea! I put one of these machines together and finally found my leak around the bottom of the throttle body. P0171 code fixed. Thanks

[tsabo]

The mineral oil when getting hot creates an oily vapor which in turn, loosened the epoxy mountings... Just an fyi

[tvillaa]

just made this... how are you not getting smoke coming out of the solder iron harness? im using the same HF one as you.
(EDIT), i see you are too.

[ihatehandles]

Damn, I was quoted $180 for an evap test that doesn't even include the price to maybe patch it if needed. I would love to do it myself but I'm too unfamiliar with engines to trust myself with this.

[jasonbarnes]

There should be a warning disclaimer with this, lol. Good job though.

[JesseHutko]

Does the car need to be running? Opening the throttle wouldn't you flood the engine?

[elguapo]

Can this method be effectively used to pump smoke into the gas tank to find an evap system leak or is there another entry point where the smoke should be introduced?

[briansuderman]

I thought this was gonna be a how to video to make something to smoke out other drivers on the road 🤣