I'm hearing an exhaust leak get louder over the past few days, and if it's the exhaust manifold, i'm gonna flip my shit.

Anyone ever had experience making a DIY smoke diagnostic/evap tester tool out of a party smoke machine for pinpointing vac and exhaust leaks? I think $50 vs. $900 is worth the try. Wanted to get some thoughts on it

Best thread I was able to find on it: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31963

Well, if its the manifold to head, look for black on the head.

Otherwise should be easy to find.

But I guess it could work if it could seal well enough.

well, it was just the cheap paper wastegate gasket. blew out on the bottom where it's thinnest, but I still am interested in making this DIY machine. Would help w/ exhaust and vac leaks

Most of the time the smoke machines are made for TINY leaks in the evap system and what not. It could be helpful for vac leaks too but a boost leak tester will be cheaper than that machine and work just as well imo. Exhaust leaks are normally VERY easy to find, just may take some time.

Originally posted by Slo2g
Exhaust leaks are normally VERY easy to find, just may take some time.

Yup. Just block off the tailpipe and viola, find the escaping air.

Originally posted by bullettdsm
Yup. Just block off the tailpipe and viola, find the escaping air.

wouldn't that cause damaging amounts of backpressure and also possibly cause the car to stall out IF there weren't any leaks? Wouldn't smoke be the most effective route? sounds like you guys are against smoke diagnostics

i agree w/ the boost leak tester method for intake leaks, but this would be for both intake & exhaust leaks. Just shove the hose into tailpipe and stuff a t-shirt or rag to keep smoke from escaping. The smoke'll come out from leakage points. Theres a few vids on youtube on it being used that way. useful

An easy way to find an exhaust leak is to put a little tranny fluid through any vacuum line and you will see smoke escape through where the leak is coming from. Just be carefull and use a little bit at a time because it will smoke like crazy if you put too much. That's even cheaper than the smoke machine. Less than $10.

I'm not against smoke machines at all, just easier cheaper ways of finding the problem. The back pressure is not going to be that much of a problem, your only doing it for a short time. It may cause the car to stall but thats about it.

Originally posted by Slo2g
I'm not against smoke machines at all, just easier cheaper ways of finding the problem. The back pressure is not going to be that much of a problem, your only doing it for a short time. It may cause the car to stall but thats about it.

Goddamn it Zac. Quit answering with my thoughts!!

Yeah, its not like you are bolting something onto the tail pipe and revving her up to 8k. You're simply holding a rag over the tailpipe while she idles. Old man method.

Originally posted by eclipse9504
An easy way to find an exhaust leak is to put a little tranny fluid through any vacuum line and you will see smoke escape through where the leak is coming from. Just be carefull and use a little bit at a time because it will smoke like crazy if you put too much. That's even cheaper than the smoke machine. Less than $10.

Might as well do the seafoam cleaning instead of trans fluid. That'll show you where you're leaking and do some good for the engine.

i still like smoke. its kewl