Thread: DIY Smoke Machine for Vacuum Leaks

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  1. #1 DIY Smoke Machine for Vacuum Leaks 
    GTX Level Member wstefan20's Avatar
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    I'll start by being the first to admit, this is not my idea although I may have put my personal touch on a few items. I mainly just want to share this build and hopefully help someone out along the way. If anyone is curious, just google the subject and you'll find my sources in the first few links and videos.

    I've been chasing a vacuum leak for weeks and no luck with water, carb cleaner, or propane (it was a small leak). Took me maybe half a minute to find the leak after hooking it up!

    I found everything local from either harbor freight, lowes, and grocery store, other than the nichrome wire. You might find a local supplier for the wire at an e-cig shop, but it's like $5 with free shipping on ebay so I really don't see the point. Over all, I think I spent around $30, although you can certainly spend less if you already have some of the materials. The regulator was the biggest cost for me. Here's a short list of what you'll need:

    - 1 gallon empty paint can (seriously, don't use one that's been used before, I'm not responsible for anyone dying of toxic fumes). It was around $4 at lowes.
    - mineral oil (fuel for creating smoke. There's other stuff you can use, but this worked fine for me, and it doesn't stink to high heaven)
    - air compressor (you'll use this to supply the air pressure)
    - 3/8" or other diameter tubing of your choosing
    - 3/8" barb to 1/4" npt fitting
    - 1/4" npt couplers (used these as nuts)
    - 1/4" npt regulator (some have used propane regulator. I used an actual valve cause it looked better, but the psi is too low to register so it's really not necessary)
    - 1/4" quick connect fitting
    - assorted grommets (for sealing around threads)
    - assorted drill bits
    - set of small machine screws, washers, and nuts
    - battery clamps
    - ring terminals
    - tiki wick replacements
    - 20Ga nichrome or kanthal wire cut and measure to 2 Ohms resistance (more will create too much smoke)
    - wire (at least 20Ga)

    You don't need to, but i soldered the wire onto both the ring terminals, and the battery clamps, and the same for the ring terminals and the nichrome.

    I installed a ball valve to help regulate the smoke, but quickly found it it wasn't necessary. Probably the best way is to have a switch on one of the terminals to turn the heating element on and off, but I found it wasn't necessary since it worked so quickly.

    I took two wicks and dipped downward into the mineral oil, and half of a third and used it to thicken the bundle

    Used a combo of washers and nuts to clamp everything together and seal. This is where I'm bringing the current to the heating element.

    This is the regulator hookup to air intake. Works well, though the gague is pointless since the flow is so low.
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  2. #2 Re: DIY Smoke Machine for Vacuum Leaks 
    Donating Users Bronco Boy's Avatar
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    Neat. Easily tweaked into a fancy bong.
    Chris B
    2009 CX-9
    ** SOLD ** 2002 GT
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  3. #3 Re: DIY Smoke Machine for Vacuum Leaks 
    GTX Level Member wstefan20's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bronco Boy View Post
    Neat. Easily tweaked into a fancy bong.


    Thanks! And I wouldn't know anything about that.....
    Hehe
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  5. #4 DIY Smoke Machine for Vacuum Leaks 
    LaBarge Supercharged sseilmnop's Avatar
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    My paint can is similar.

    I use a cigarette lighter compressor which has really low volume perfect for smoke generator. Don’t need a regulator or ball valve. I installed a valve stem in lid of paint can. Little compressor hose locks on.

    I just rip up card board box and light it with torch in the can. No mineral oil or wick.
    Adapters, Phenolic Intercoolers, Supercharger Parts & TVS2300
    http://stores.ebay.com/QualitySuperchargers
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  6. #5 Re: DIY Smoke Machine for Vacuum Leaks 
    GTX Level Member wstefan20's Avatar
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    Nice! Yeah, there's about a million ways to build one of these. Probably getting a bit too fancy with the mineral oil, but I'm telling you, puts out enough smoke to fill your garage in about two minutes! lol Nice touch with the cigarette compressor! I'll have to try that. Would simplify design and make it portable! haha
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  7. #6 Re: DIY Smoke Machine for Vacuum Leaks 
    GTX Level Member wstefan20's Avatar
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    Figured I'd be nice to post a video of it in action. As a preface, in the video I had already turned off the smoke and it had been running for a while so the actual max smoke output is 10 times more than what the video shows.


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  8. #7 Re: DIY Smoke Machine for Vacuum Leaks 
    GrandPrix Junkie CrazyGuy03's Avatar
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    Find someone who vapes
    2003 Buick Regal GSX lots of mods - click here to see latest build - http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...ld-for-the-gsx

    *For Reference - Does not have a Zack Howard Cam - It's an Intense Stage 3 - Thank You*
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  9. #8 Re: DIY Smoke Machine for Vacuum Leaks 
    GTX Level Member wstefan20's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CrazyGuy03 View Post
    Find someone who vapes
    Lol I knew a guy who just smoked cigars and blew into a vacuum hose. It worked for large leaks, but not enough pressure or smoke for small ones.
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  10. #9 Re: DIY Smoke Machine for Vacuum Leaks 
    GrandPrix Junkie CrazyGuy03's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by wstefan20 View Post
    Lol I knew a guy who just smoked cigars and blew into a vacuum hose. It worked for large leaks, but not enough pressure or smoke for small ones.
    I bet. I tried it and that **** was tough. I was able to bring it out as far as the vent on the filler neck but never again. It gave me a headache
    2003 Buick Regal GSX lots of mods - click here to see latest build - http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...ld-for-the-gsx

    *For Reference - Does not have a Zack Howard Cam - It's an Intense Stage 3 - Thank You*
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  11. #10 Re: DIY Smoke Machine for Vacuum Leaks 
    GTX Level Member wstefan20's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CrazyGuy03 View Post
    I bet. I tried it and that **** was tough. I was able to bring it out as far as the vent on the filler neck but never again. It gave me a headache
    Hm... might be more fun with a different kind of "smoke"
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