DIY Stop using carb clean for vaccum leaks!! Here is a alternative

jbeurotech · 02-16-2007, 01:27 PM

Build this smoke machine for under $30 and be able to find vaccum leaks the correct way!! Carb clean will not show most vaccum leaks, this will help you find those very small vaccum leaks!! This inert smoke will fill the intake and leak out the smallest leaks, indicating where you have an issue. This is the only way to properly find a vaccum leak!! Our profesional machines work better. However most of you DIY's do not have the money to drop on the tools that we use. But this will get you close!!

Alex323Ci · 02-16-2007, 01:50 PM

Seth, are you saying this going into the intake and leaks outs(not that you fill the engine compartment and look for it to go in right?) Also what's with the diesel glow plug?

jbeurotech · 02-16-2007, 01:58 PM

Yup goes into an intake use or intake inlet. Glow plug must be powered up to burn the fluid causing the smoke.

---zxcvbnm--- · 02-16-2007, 08:50 PM

Most people who drive bmws have no clue what a vaccume leak is let alone what to do with this tool. Its sad but true. Thanks for the info

Rotha · 02-16-2007, 10:35 PM

okay so attach 12 volt source to glow plug. lol i get it now.

I think i might be the type to go to spencers and get a smoke machine for 30 dollars.

thank you so much though. This is pretty smart

jbeurotech · 02-17-2007, 01:43 AM

the smoke machine spensors uses will not put enough pressure out and do this job as needed. also not sure what they use for smoke, I know thi is safe to put into your car!!

jbeurotech · 02-17-2007, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ---zxcvbnm---

Most people who drive bmws have no clue what a vaccume leak is let alone what to do with this tool. Its sad but true. Thanks for the info

I would tend to agree but I get auffly tired of hearing spray it with carb cleaner to find the leak!! So I made this post to inform peopl of the right way and proper way wiether they use it or not I can stop answering questions on how to find small leaks

supark · 02-18-2007, 10:28 AM

huh - nifty! Definitely sounds like a useful tool - done my share of trying to find vac leaks with carb cleaner, always a pain.

Tom Busby · 02-19-2007, 11:59 AM

Brilliant tool idea! Thanks for the picture and post.

PreppyR6 · 02-20-2007, 09:39 AM

Hey, you got any pics of an actual diy machine like this? Im trying to get ideas of how to what kinds of parts and how to connect.

GRIDLOCK · 05-08-2007, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Hey, you got any pics of an actual diy machine like this? Im trying to get ideas of how to what kinds of parts and how to connect.

mikepbrooks · 05-09-2007, 12:32 AM

i really hope someone didnt copy this guys idea and made those...

asilva · 05-09-2007, 03:46 AM

how about the propane method?

Lemonsqr · 05-09-2007, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikepbrooks

i really hope someone didnt copy this guys idea and made those...

what do you mean?

The OP didnt come up with the concept of a smoking vacuum leak detector. What he drew out was just a schematic of the basic things you need to make one yourself. Every commercial smoking vacuum detector is based around the same basic parts...a low pressurized air source to force the smoke into the engine, some way to regulate it, a way to generate engine component/sensor safe smoke and the plumbing to hook it all together and to the engine...

mikepbrooks · 05-09-2007, 06:40 PM

oh ok my bad....

GRIDLOCK · 05-09-2007, 07:40 PM

Went to the local Lowes and they didn't have squat as far as metal containers go (steel or aluminum)...

Any recommendations on where to go? I am definitely going to build one and put up a DIY!

mikepbrooks · 05-09-2007, 11:25 PM

probably could use something food or something comes it...check wally world lol

Lemonsqr · 05-09-2007, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRIDLOCK

Went to the local Lowes and they didn't have squat as far as metal containers go (steel or aluminum)...

Any recommendations on where to go? I am definitely going to build one and put up a DIY!

Dood! get creative

If I were going to do this, I would try to find a hand held pesticide or weedkiller sprayer with a metal can, put a glowplug through the bottom with a nice gasket or petroleum proof sealant and replumb the pickup tube in the metal resevoir so you are only sucking out the smoke you are generating. This way you dont have to worry about electric pumps and extra plumbing. Just make sure the sprayer you get has a high enough pressure to force the smoke through the whole engine. I would imagine 10psi is more than enough. Good luck

bmwstephen · 05-09-2007, 11:44 PM

what is the method DEALERSHIPS use to find vaccuum leaks?

seth you should start making a couple of these and selling them here

Lemonsqr · 05-10-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwstephen

what is the method DEALERSHIPS use to find vaccuum leaks?

seth you should start making a couple of these and selling them here

They use commercially available smoke machines.

02-16-2007, 01:27 PM	#1
jbeurotech Regional Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Brighton MN Posts: 5,019 My Ride: 2000 E46 with 254K View My Garage	DIY Stop using carb clean for vaccum leaks!! Here is a alternative Build this smoke machine for under $30 and be able to find vaccum leaks the correct way!! Carb clean will not show most vaccum leaks, this will help you find those very small vaccum leaks!! This inert smoke will fill the intake and leak out the smallest leaks, indicating where you have an issue. This is the only way to properly find a vaccum leak!! Our profesional machines work better. However most of you DIY's do not have the money to drop on the tools that we use. But this will get you close!! Attached Thumbnails __________________ Seth Thorson Service Manager/BMW Tech JB Eurotech Service "Your Reasonable Dealer Alternative" General Questions can be sent to appointment@jbeurotech.com 1. Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. 2. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

02-16-2007, 01:50 PM	#2
Alex323Ci Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Huntington Beach -Surf City USA Posts: 15,277 My Ride: M3 & 323Ci (sold) View My Garage	Seth, are you saying this going into the intake and leaks outs(not that you fill the engine compartment and look for it to go in right?) Also what's with the diesel glow plug? __________________ OEM CSL WHEELS - OEM CSL BRAKES - OEM AUTOFOLD MIRRORS - CSL TRUNK - CSL DIFFUSER - AA SPORT TUNE - AA PULLEYS - BILSTEIN PSS9s - AUTOSOLUTIONS SSK CF CSL RACE LIP - NAVI HU - BMW PERFORMANCE CF STRUT BAR - BMW GROUP-N MTRMTS - UUC SS BRAKELINES, TRANS MOUNTS, RTABs - 4.10 BMW M-SPORT DIFF

02-16-2007, 01:58 PM	#3
jbeurotech Regional Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Brighton MN Posts: 5,019 My Ride: 2000 E46 with 254K View My Garage	Yup goes into an intake use or intake inlet. Glow plug must be powered up to burn the fluid causing the smoke. __________________ Seth Thorson Service Manager/BMW Tech JB Eurotech Service "Your Reasonable Dealer Alternative" General Questions can be sent to appointment@jbeurotech.com 1. Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. 2. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

02-16-2007, 10:35 PM	#5
Rotha Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: N/A Posts: 4,812 My Ride: N/A View My Garage	okay so attach 12 volt source to glow plug. lol i get it now. I think i might be the type to go to spencers and get a smoke machine for 30 dollars. thank you so much though. This is pretty smart __________________ The best thread on e46fanatics. Prompt answers by knowledgeable people and you don't get flamed for it. http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=523290 Welcome to e46fanatics.

02-17-2007, 01:43 AM	#6
jbeurotech Regional Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Brighton MN Posts: 5,019 My Ride: 2000 E46 with 254K View My Garage	the smoke machine spensors uses will not put enough pressure out and do this job as needed. also not sure what they use for smoke, I know thi is safe to put into your car!! __________________ Seth Thorson Service Manager/BMW Tech JB Eurotech Service "Your Reasonable Dealer Alternative" General Questions can be sent to appointment@jbeurotech.com 1. Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. 2. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

02-16-2007, 08:50 PM	#4
---zxcvbnm--- Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: soCal Posts: 317 My Ride: 1999 328i View My Garage	Most people who drive bmws have no clue what a vaccume leak is let alone what to do with this tool. Its sad but true. Thanks for the info

02-18-2007, 10:28 AM	#8
supark Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,072 My Ride: E60 M5, 69 02 View My Garage	huh - nifty! Definitely sounds like a useful tool - done my share of trying to find vac leaks with carb cleaner, always a pain.

02-19-2007, 11:59 AM	#9
Tom Busby Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 605 My Ride: 2001 325i, 1995 318i View My Garage	Brilliant tool idea! Thanks for the picture and post.

02-20-2007, 09:39 AM	#10
PreppyR6 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 792 My Ride: shines like justice View My Garage	Hey, you got any pics of an actual diy machine like this? Im trying to get ideas of how to what kinds of parts and how to connect. __________________ --------------------------------------------------- Das Weena!

05-09-2007, 12:32 AM	#12
mikepbrooks Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Florida - Panama City Beach Posts: 641 My Ride: e46 323i View My Garage	i really hope someone didnt copy this guys idea and made those... __________________ You have big shoes on your car ehh? Well i wear size 13 shoes, so what do you think is big on me? Thats right my socks...and what of it! I like long walks on the beach at sunset and picking flowers to smell them...I hope no one reads this... Find me on MySpace and be my friend!

05-09-2007, 03:46 AM	#13
asilva Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: MASS. Posts: 254 My Ride: 05' X3 3.0 View My Garage	how about the propane method? __________________ Fail, Fail again, Fail Better"

05-09-2007, 06:40 PM	#15
mikepbrooks Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Florida - Panama City Beach Posts: 641 My Ride: e46 323i View My Garage	oh ok my bad.... __________________ You have big shoes on your car ehh? Well i wear size 13 shoes, so what do you think is big on me? Thats right my socks...and what of it! I like long walks on the beach at sunset and picking flowers to smell them...I hope no one reads this... Find me on MySpace and be my friend!

05-09-2007, 07:40 PM	#16
GRIDLOCK Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: OC Posts: 2,280 My Ride: E36 / E46 View My Garage	Went to the local Lowes and they didn't have squat as far as metal containers go (steel or aluminum)... Any recommendations on where to go? I am definitely going to build one and put up a DIY! __________________ Have an EVAP code? Replacing gas cap did not fix? Give me a holler, I can do a smoke test for ya.

05-09-2007, 11:25 PM	#17
mikepbrooks Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Florida - Panama City Beach Posts: 641 My Ride: e46 323i View My Garage	probably could use something food or something comes it...check wally world lol __________________ You have big shoes on your car ehh? Well i wear size 13 shoes, so what do you think is big on me? Thats right my socks...and what of it! I like long walks on the beach at sunset and picking flowers to smell them...I hope no one reads this... Find me on MySpace and be my friend!

05-09-2007, 11:44 PM	#19
bmwstephen Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Newark, CA Posts: 2,067 My Ride: e46 325xi, e30 325is View My Garage	what is the method DEALERSHIPS use to find vaccuum leaks? seth you should start making a couple of these and selling them here Last edited by bmwstephen; 05-09-2007 at 11:58 PM.

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