Project Time: DIY Smoke Machine Build - Find Those Vacuum Leaks!

In this video, I show how I built my DIY smoke machine for locating vacuum leaks. I am going to use this machine to try to locate a leak on one of my project cars.

Updated list of items. I had some of these already in the shop, so here are some examples of what you can use to build this project.

The total cost if you were to buy everything needed at the time of filming is around $33. This is a lot cheaper than commercially available machines on the market.

The following video features activities performed in controlled environments by knowledgeable persons. DO NOT attempt to duplicate, re-create, or perform the same or similar activities at home, as personal injury or property damage may result. RUSTY WRENCHES, the persons shown in this video and ANY CONTRIBUTOR, ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY such injury or damage. ALL RUSTY WRENCHES CONTENT IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY.

Rusty Wrenches makes no representation about the sufficiency of any safety precautions and equipment used in this video.

[Iknowonlywhatimtaught]

I put a tire valve in mine. I have a pump I use on my mountain bike that has a gauge on it to pump pressure in the can. It's a small hand pump that is easy to pump as I go. Pump with one hand and walk around engine bay looking for leaks works really well. I used a paint can also. I also have a compressor air fitting on it too if I feel I need more pressure. I like the hand pump because I don't live in a single family dwelling anymore. Makes it more portable. Otherwise I need to break out my compressor and generator and both make to much noise for neighbors. If I have to use them my neighbors know I work on car's in the parking lot and don't complain. They tease me about it sometimes. Maggie's out making car noises again. I just laugh. I work on car's here and it convenient for them since it's a 55 and over senior community. I don't tear motors or transmission's apart here. I have a places if that is needed to pull those to work on. I have a 12x40 storage that I drive to and just get the car towed down the road from where I live. I keep most of my tools in there. It keeps me busy and supplements my retirement too. My customers buy the parts I tell them it needs and I give them a price we both can live with. If they need to go to store I take them when I go if I'm still working on their car's. I love the arrangement we have here. Manager has been real nice to let me do it. I use an oil absorbing mat under the vehicle when I change fluids so I don't get and thing on the parking space I use. I have a portable canopy to cover my work space so if it rains suddenly the car and me stay dry. I Also do car detailing in the same space. Pretty good set up I have. I just roll out my tools 100 ft and I'm there. I'm not married anymore, so I have a lot of free time to do other things. Thanks for the video.

[sakitlikod]

Nice granite countertop, I luv the color

[Residew]

I’m going to make this out of a pint can!

[dannyprice]

You’re working around all that metal under the hood, why would you make a metal tester connected to your battery? That’s why I made mine out of the pvc plumbing material...much better and safer!

[amitchakraborty]

Ok, incomplete information, just like many of the others.

1. You need a 20G nichrome wire, you need to know how to use an ohmmeter and measure a length that will give you 2 ohms.
2. You MUST use insulators on the paint can holes that hold the wire. Or else the battery cables with short and you will start a fire. The battery cables CANNOT touch the can.
3. Generally most vacuum hoses will take an 8 mm or 10 mm vinyl tube. You will most likely need a screw on clamp if your tubes don't fit perfectly. Most air compressors will fit a Nitto style fitting. You will need a male to male Nitto to threads coupler.
4. You will have to block off your intake system, cz it's an open system. You will need to disconnect the hose that comes from the air box and block off the end to which it connects. In order to take this hose off, you will more than likely need a set of specialised hose clamp pliers.

This project is not as simple as YouTubers claim to be.

P.S. Not every country has Harbor Frieght. I wish YouTubers would keep their international audience in mind.

[MrAllie-bfzt]

You didn't put a link to buy the inlet and outlet air valves. Where do I get those? What kind?

[Kalito]

Hi what gauge wire did you use for this project the link doesn't work anymore? Thanks.

[JoseLuisCiriacoDurand]

Saludos capo 👍 muy bueno 👌 saludos desde.Buenos Aires Argentina 🇦🇷 👍

[MrAllie-bfzt]

Where do you get the rubber hose from? What size/diameter is it?

[antoniobatera]

Olá amigão mim interessei muito pelo seu vídeo show de bola.
Qual a função desse projeto?
Quais os materiais usado.

Best and simplest video ever. I like it more than any DIY smoke machine I have seen on YouTube so far.

[luisanguiano]

I used a 22 awg wire and
it melted it

[KFLson]

Can I use the heater core plug to heat up the wick? Instead of using battery and that wire