Boost leak test...with dry ice?

[Daveed]

Just a late evening though...
While doing a boost leak test it might be easier to find the leaks if there was some sort of "smoke" rolling out of the leaks. Anyone ever thought of putting a little dry ice down the intercooler tubing then doing the boost leak test?

Or do you have other smoke source ideas?

 

[snowborder714]

Why not just spray the area you're testing with soapy water? That way when you find a leak, you will see bubbles.

 

[mygsx2120]

He's just trying to think outside of the box. I think dry ice would be the easiest way to use smoke.

 

[daren_p]

Actually something along these lines may work very well (not the the good ol soap & water doesn't). We actually sell non toxic smoke at work, that they use for HVAC & fume hood testing, etc. They come in match form that burn for around 20 seconds, to huge candles that burn for about 10 mins (& produce enough smoke that your neighbours would probably call the fire department ). They burn at very low temps, could grab them while there working & not burn yourself. Maybe I'll have to give one a try this spring.

 

[Daveed]

The idea sorta came from my diesel truck. One cold morning last year it wouldn't start (glowplug relay went out). Well it produced ALOT of white smoke while cranking over (cold unburnt diesel). The bonus was that the smoke was coming out of every leak in what I thought was a sealed exhaust system. I had leaks at the uppipes going to the turbo and the middle of my downpipe (they are 2 piece pipes on old powerstrokes).

SO, since I can't produce cold unburnt white diesel smoke in my 4g63 intake tract I was thinking of the dry ice.

However, the HVAC leak finder may be an option too. Can you get those things at a good hardware store?
Also, where would you place one of those "candles" so it wouldn't leave ash and crap in your intake?

 

[TunaTalon]

Smoke works and is in commercial use. My local auto shop offered to "smoke test" my Talon for $90.00. Naturally I cheaped out and tried to find a vacuum leak by spraying starter fluid around and listening for a change in the idle.

 

[daren_p]

Here's a link to the manufacturer that we sell:

smokecart

Not sure how many distributors they have in the US but you may also be able to buy direct, if you wanted. I don't think this product would be available in your local hardware store. As for ashes, don't know about other brands but thats not an issue with these.

 

[steve]

How can you get the smoke under pressure?

If you have a leak at ATM there is no way your going to miss it leaking at 20 psi. It's the little leaks that don't start until 10-15 psi that make testing fun.

 

[dsm-onster]

I've had good success spraying starter fluid over piping, couplers, and flanges during idle. The rpms rise suddenly where a boost/vacuum leak exists. No compressors or special adapters to pressurize your pipes are needed.

 

[Daveed]

I've had good success spraying starter fluid over piping, couplers, and flanges during idle. The rpms rise suddenly where a boost/vacuum leak exists. No compressors or special adapters to pressurize your pipes are needed.

Interesting. Might be worth a try...once I have the motor reinstalled

How can you get the smoke under pressure?

If you have a leak at ATM there is no way your going to miss it leaking at 20 psi. It's the little leaks that don't start until 10-15 psi that make testing fun.

I think I'd fill the system with smoke then pressurize it with the standard boost leak tester. My turbo wouldn't even hold 5psi for more than 10 seconds so I'll be doing more testing later after I replace the turbo.

 

[brodiedehass]

I use an EVAP smoke machine. Its expensive but I have to have it for work anyhow. Its runs on baby oil and makes a thick smoke up to 15psi. click