Throttle body leak detection with ether?

[TunaTalon]

My Talon is showing signs of a throttle body seal leak but it is cold and wet out here in the hinterlands. I know a regular boost leak test would work even in the wet. It’s just that I don’t work well in the cold.

Has anyone ever tried spraying ether around the throttle body with the engine running and listening for a change in the idle to detect a vacuum leak?

 

[Auto RS T]

I would use something with a high flash point like carb cleaner to listen for the idle speed change, that way there are no puddles of flammable liquid underhood.

I think this would work on the TB elbow and intake manifold gasket, but since the shaft seals are under the TPS and throttle spring. I doubt it would make a reaction at those points. It would be best to go with soapy water during a boost leak test imo.

 

[Defiant]

Use WD-40. It uses propane for a propellant, won't explode if it "pools" its vapor, won't damage painted surfaces, and leaves no harmful residue.

 

[viprez586]

I have never tried this but heard it works on some cars. The theory behind it is that if you disconnect your ISC or idle speed control motor at idle with the car running the car should in theory die/stall, or suck air from that leak making a high pitched tone. However you will have to play with it to find the leak.

Let me know if this works because I'm curious if it will work on our cars.

 

[Auto RS T]

Disconnecting the ISC will leave the motor stuck on that "step". Really, the idle shouldn't change when it is unplugged since it is now "frozen" in posistion.

I agree that sometimes a vacuum leak will make a high pitched tone, not everytime though.

If the motor has a vacuum leak (air leak), just like any other car, when you spray the leak with some type of (fuel) "WD 40" it should "idle up".

 

[Strm Trpr]

I will be chasing down a vacuum leak this Saturday, and I'll be using a hand held propane bottle.
I'll connect a rubber hose to it where the flame comes out so I can direct the propane into the hard to reach areas and hopefully find this bastard of a vac leak.

I would imagine this will work, and leak no residue behind to ignite or get the engine bay dirty.

 

[SOADweskey]

I would worry about the chance of a large pocket of propane forming under the hood and finding some way to ignite while you have your head down there looking for a leak.

 

[TunaTalon]

I will be chasing down a vacuum leak this Saturday, and I'll be using a hand held propane bottle.
I'll connect a rubber hose to it where the flame comes out so I can direct the propane into the hard to reach areas and hopefully find this bastard of a vac leak.

I would imagine this will work, and leak no residue behind to ignite or get the engine bay dirty.

That should work. It might be a good idea to have a fire extingusher handy.

Please check back here and let us know how it works.

Meanwhile I have to find a way to pass Missouri emissions inspection before getting back to the leak.

 

[Strm Trpr]

I would worry about the chance of a large pocket of propane forming under the hood and finding some way to ignite while you have your head down there looking for a leak.

Well then I guess I'll have a free haircut and a shave .

I'll have both fans on high thru DSMLink, so hopefully I won't have a problem.
Is propane that volatile?
Thanks for the concern, and yes I will post back.

 

[viprez586]

Yeah I just realized our ISC is different, its IAC that use a small bypass on the TB for idle control where you can help locate a vacuum leak.

Seems like the worst thing to chase on our cars is boost leaks and phantom knock.

Good luck!

 

[TunaTalon]

I would worry about the chance of a large pocket of propane forming under the hood and finding some way to ignite while you have your head down there looking for a leak.

Propane has a specific gravity of about 1.5, much heavier than air.

If you go slowly the vapor should drop down and disperse down hill. Don’t try this in a low point. A garage in the basement would be a very bad place to release propane.

 

[Defiant]

Better propane than ether.

 

[TunaTalon]

Better propane than ether.

Even an aerosol can of (mostly) ether intended for starting engines?

I was thinking of something like:

Spray Products® Starting Fluid - 60% ether
Simply put, Spray Products starting fluid starts engines faster, saving time, battery, and cylinder wear. You get more starts per can.
60% ether concentration is triple the typical starting fluid formulation. There is no waste - it all burns. Spray Products starting fluid is guaranteed to spray even at 50° below zero. It contains lubricant and anti-corrosive additives, and is pressurized in the strongest aerosol can available. Exceeds requirements of Federal Stock Number (FSN) 6850-823-7861 and Federal Specification Number 0-F-001044.