Homemade smoke machine

Finding EVAP leaks in my car is very frustrating. I tried to make a smoke machine before and it failed but I think this one is a winner.

you will need a 24 oz pickle jar, a 30 watt soldering iron, a Bic pen (the brand is important because it fits the bike pump nozzle), vinyl tubing, a bike pump, a sock, baby oil, and quick setting epoxy. also some snips to cut the pen and three drill bits. you want to make sure that the pen body and cap which are slightly different diameters fit snug in the lid. Be sure to wait 24 hours for the epoxy to cure.

[arby]

I just made one of these. Got a strange look from my wife when I dumped the pickles into a bowl and went to the garage with the jar! Works great!

[errorcodeguy]

Great job! It's exiting to see people getting use out of the smoke machine I built. Cheers!

[AP-urcd]

Damn it I made one but the pen wasn’t bic, gonna have to start over again

[greggb]

This is great. I need one of these, but I think I will borrow a few ideas from others who used a paint can as the vessel.
Love the soldering iron/ pickle jar/ clear tubing used in this model, but will switch to the compressor fittings and use of a compressor to provide the pressure. The guy who suggested using incense has a good point ; that would simplify it considerably. Thanks for spurring my imagination!

[TheLanceFrazier]

"It's a little stinky."
Dude, you're burning an old, oily sock!

[Pinkielover]

I just put a pressure regulator attached to my spare tire as an air supply as long as you don't go over 1.5 psi you're fine

[BAPTruckin]

Can you still use the socks when you're done checking for vacuum leaks?

[diydiy]

Thank you, I just made one myself. and I found the EVAP leak- check engine code P0455 from my lexus GX460, it's not the fuel cap. it's leaking from hose

[train]

A most brilliant build sir.well done and very helpfull indeed, steve from the uk

[cokercola]

Haha he gets so excited when he sees the smoke come out

[davidsgarage]

i did one like this in 20 minutes and works amazing

[BretAskeland]

Looks like a good way to start a fire!

[GiulioVonKerman]

Tele on clean and neck pickup is very relaxing

[shaunmoeller]

You can also use coal for smoke with bits of paper and get rid of the soldering iron and make it portable

[barry]

At the rate that is producing smoke, the air flow would clear out the jar in no time.

[TheLarryBrown]

Regarding the smoke coming from the cord outlet, how about this brilliant idea. Cut off the plug, then slide a piece of heat shrink tubing over the cord and body of the iron where the cord exits the body. Use a hair dryer to shrink. That will give an airtight seal around the cord and seal up the hole. Then attach a new plug to the cord.

[miladinseratlic]

That smoke looks very "light" for me so is it easy to spot all around dark places bellow intercooler and pipes?!

[DumbCarGuy]

Just use an incense in the jar. works like a charm, smells good and no batteries, socks or bike pump required.

[THEcucufate]

Won't this create some kind of residue permutation that regular fog and smoke machines produce differently? This could create another problem inside the hoses and evap system leaving some kind of film inside it?? Just asking.

[ABCC]

You should try using glycerol - might give you denser vape and might be better than baby oil though i don't know if baby oil smells bad when it's used as vape