Intake Leak Tester Using Smoke - Is it possible?

[REDBLUR]

I was thinking of trying to build an intake leak tester using smoke to detect exactly where the leaks are coming from. Any thoughts and ideas on to how to create something like this. Has it been done before?
Any input is appreciated.
Thanks

 

[sunflashx]

Use a spray bottle filled with soapy water.

 

[REDBLUR]

I know that works too, but I the smoke would work much better.

 

[Turbo Guru]

Some repair centers are equipped with "leak detecting" smoke machines for finding leaks in cooling systems, you might want to model your project after that. Maybe if you have a DJ friend who has a fog machine he would let you borrow it...

 

[REDBLUR]

So far I was thinking about a mosqitoe fogger of some sort rigged up. Shoot it into the lower intercooler pipe at the turbo, clamp hose back on and pressurize system. On the other hand that doesnt seem too cost effective. I have seen manufactured smoke leak detectors and they are around $1200-1500(ouch).

Anyways it looks like I have a winter project on my hands.

Any other ideas, do they make "smoke" that comes in an aerosol can?

 

[kaygee08]

http://www.hottrix.com/html/CCsmoke.shtml

 

[larryd]

hmm, thats an interesting idea.

 

[fast_talon]

I did a boost leak test and found where my problems were this past weekend. Wow what a difference. One of the leaks took me about 5 mins to find using the spray bottle and soapy water technique. The idea of using smoke is a pretty cool. I am not sure a DJ fogger would work, but its worth a try.

 

[blackawdturbo]

I would think one of those halloween fog master machines would work well. Just pump in a bunch of fog then pressurize the system.

Bill Kehn
'95 Tsi AWD
12.98 @ 106
13.01 @ 108 = Sucky Driving

 

[AWDkitkat]

why not just listen. always works for me.

 

[NOMIEZVR4]

since we are on the topic of boost leaks, might as well put my .01 cent in, i pressure tested my intake, found no leaks, but i do hear some type of noise while i drive, kinda like air going through a tunnnel. it not really loud, but its there. BUT my car holds boost till redline, do i have a leak?

 

[2G_TURBO]

Originally posted by Turbo Guru
. Maybe if you have a DJ friend who has a fog machine he would let you borrow it...

i've seen the dj fog machines for around $50, and a gallon of liquid to make the fog is around $25..... it would work, but i doubt the fog machine would pressurize enough.....

maybe fill the system with fog, then use a compressor to pressurize it up to the desired psi?
or make some kind of nozzle that mixes the fog with the air from the air compressor?

 

[REDBLUR]

Well I was looking at that can of smoke and its like 25 bucks a can, so thats out of the question. I think I might borrow my neighbors mosquitoe fogger and see how that works and the cost to fill it. Spray into the lower intercooler pipe at the turbo, clamp pipe back on, and do the normal leak test.

We'll see how it goes, but eventually i wouldn't mind making my own smoke leak tester for CHEAP. Just need some more time to think about how to design and create one.

 

[blackawdturbo]

Just make sure the time between pumping the vapor (fog) in, to clamping and pressurizing is as small as possible. I know on my halloween fogger the droplets vaporize rather quickly. Let me know how this turns out if you do it.

Bill Kehn
'95 Tsi AWD