C10 Sleeper
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3426
Loc: Redding Ca
Reg: 03-17-09
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10-16-09 10:55 AM - Post#1789280
I had an idea the other day for finding vac leaks but would be interested in your comments to see what you all think. Instead of using a smoke tester to find the leak(s) I was wondering if you could use some dry ice mixed with a little water to make a fog like in a bottle with a loose fitting seal so it doesnt blow up connected to a piece of vac line to a port in lets say your intake manifold? If safely handled would this be a not so good idea that could cause any damage to an engine? I kinda thought it up as the poor mans smoke tester but not willing to try it with out any input from some knowledgeable people.
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 black95jimmy
"6th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 8205
Loc: Venice, FL
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10-16-09 02:07 PM - Post#1789378
In response to C10 Sleeper
Vacuum Leak Detector Variable probe valve releases propane at suspected vacuum leak. Increased RPM verifies leak. Locate hard-to-find leaks with safe, clean propane. Aluminum probe shaft bends for access. Hanger is included to keep propane bottle upright. Includes four-feet of propane hose.
82 Monte Carlo SC, 355 w/Vortec heads, roller rockers, 670 Street Avenger, Pypes true duals.
2000 Sub.5.3L 40 Gallons of gas @ $3.45/gal. bla bla bla. |
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C10 Sleeper
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3426
Loc: Redding Ca
Reg: 03-17-09
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10-16-09 03:32 PM - Post#1789419
In response to black95jimmy
Thats not exactly what I was talking about. I have used the propane method before but I am talking like using the fog like a smoke machine for testing with the engine off.
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black95jimmy
"6th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 8205
Loc: Venice, FL
Reg: 01-05-02
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10-16-09 05:20 PM - Post#1789487
In response to C10 Sleeper
If the engine is OFF, no vacuum.
82 Monte Carlo SC, 355 w/Vortec heads, roller rockers, 670 Street Avenger, Pypes true duals.
2000 Sub.5.3L 40 Gallons of gas @ $3.45/gal. bla bla bla. |
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N8sToolz
Very Senior Member
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10-16-09 07:00 PM - Post#1789556
In response to black95jimmy
it might work, doubt any damage to the engine, but most smoke machines can force up to .5 psi or 2psi on some models so that they find the leak, the smoke makes it visual, the pressure is what finds the leaks.
1982 Chevy K20 Converted from C20.
355/700R4
2002 Yamaha XVS1100CL VStar
2002 S10 2WD |
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IgnitionMan
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 2415
Reg: 04-15-05
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10-16-09 07:34 PM - Post#1789583
In response to N8sToolz
Dynamic test (engine running), not static (engine off), propane. Reason: vacuum/pressure causes leaks that may well not be pre4sent with the static method, it can be a fine line between sealing and vacuum/pressure leaks on some applications.
Edited by IgnitionMan on 10-16-09 07:36 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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C10 Sleeper
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3426
Loc: Redding Ca
Reg: 03-17-09
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10-16-09 07:43 PM - Post#1789593
In response to N8sToolz
Dry ice in a bottle mixed with a little water makes enough pressure alone to pop a bottle like a balloon. Making its own pressure and emmiting fog channeled through a fitting in a cap on the bottle would be a good place to hook up a vac line from the bottle to fitting on a intake manifold pressurizing the intake system with a visible fog. There for the user could see the fog leaking out of any places where a vac leak would be. Exactly like a smoke machine but a little different.
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100% CHEVY
Very Senior Member
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Age: 60
Loc: Helena,Missippi,U.S.A.
Reg: 12-09-04
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10-16-09 09:12 PM - Post#1789652
In response to C10 Sleeper
You have to be careful about too much pressure though---You may create more leaks!
Mike. 
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72novaproject
Senior Member
Posts: 3186
Age: 57
Loc: D/FW Texas
Reg: 02-18-03
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10-17-09 05:23 AM - Post#1789728
In response to C10 Sleeper
It sounds like a good idea and I admire your ingenuity, but there will always be some pressure loss past the piston rings and with water vapor it would end up in the crankcase. Oil and water don’t mix. I will stick to my carburetor cleaner method. The propane is best and I am sure that unit is cheap but I just don’t have one and I seldom get vacuum leaks unless a friend brings his driver over for me to check out.
The great thing about introducing an alternate fuel with the engine running is you can also test for a rich condition. If the engine speeds up you have found a lean condition and if it slows down you have found a rich condition. You can even test the balance on the carburetor between the left and right sides.
Steve
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C10 Sleeper
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3426
Loc: Redding Ca
Reg: 03-17-09
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10-17-09 09:50 AM - Post#1789833
In response to 72novaproject
Thats good info steve. The reason I was thinking and this all came about is my 2004 ford f150 with only 26000 miles on it is giving me lean codes. I have checked everything I can check at home and still cannot find a problem. Vac leaks are one of the most common problems and I couldnt find any with the carb cleaner method.
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 gotta56forme
"8th Year"Silver Supporting Member
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06-20-12 09:48 AM - Post#2239447
In response to black95jimmy
Vacuum Leak Detector Variable probe valve releases propane at suspected vacuum leak. Increased RPM verifies leak. Locate hard-to-find leaks with safe, clean propane. Aluminum probe shaft bends for access. Hanger is included to keep propane bottle upright. Includes four-feet of propane hose.
I found this thread on a search. I've been debating with myself what method for detecting a vacuum leak is the best (propane, starter fluid, wd40, carb cleaner). I-man's and some others' opinion is the propane. That tool on Amazon is $64, seems a little spendy when perhaps a simple Benzomatic kit from Home Depot with a piece of rubber tubing slipped over the end of the torch nozzle and perhaps a basketball/football filling tip attached to the other end of the tubing could do the same thing... Yes? Or am I overlooking a safety consideration or something else?
Scott/Gotta56forme
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awsum55
Senior Member
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06-20-12 11:05 AM - Post#2239473
In response to gotta56forme
Just take a drag on a cigarette and put a rubber hose in your mouth and blow. 
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