Build a Smoke Machine for Under $10 | How to Smoke Test a Car | Check for Vacuum Leaks 

DO NOT apply more than 2-3 psi pressure to the evap system... pull all the vaccum u want. I like using a cheap 3$ aquarium pump (they are 1-2 psi) to induce smoke so I'm able to move around freely with 2 hands. I also recommend using a metal paint can with a handle rather than glass because iv had glass gars crack and break from the heat. Just some tips from some guy on the internet

Found my evap leak immediately thank you for the advice good sir 👍

To prevent the smoke from coming out the air box I have seen mechanics pull the air cleaner hose off where it hooks to the Mass Air Flow Sensor. They then put a plastic grocery bag or garbage bag over the tube and then install the tube back on the Mass Air flow sensor.

Thank you! I had everything needed to make this except for the baby oil. I put it together, connected it to my evap system, plugged it in and WOW. Works amazingly well. Lots of smoke. Can’t believe how much smoke it produces. Thanks again!!!

First I have seen about opening throttle.

A fish tank air pump would work perfectly on this

I will be trying this soon. Thanks for the video.

Definitely making one of these

Bro thank you so much for this. I am about to try this 👍

A much more simple way to smoke test is to buy a cheap AC / DC air pump (normally for filling air mattresses). They come with different size nozzles. The input side you use a cigar, the output a piece of hose to a vacuum line. Turn the pump on and watch for where the smoke comes out and there you are. Cost like $10. Works perfectly and it is instant.

Great video, thank you!

Thanks dudecycle!

Thanks

If you would’ve just hooked up the hose to the intake manifold itself (like the pcv hose u pulled off and broke the pcv 😂)you won’t have to hold the throttle open manually.And I would actually pull the intake off and plug up the throttle body with a rag to get better results as u don’t really need to worry about leaks on the intake as much!

Thanks for the idea! I put one of these machines together and finally found my leak around the bottom of the throttle body. P0171 code fixed. Thanks

My truck has a code for a leak but I tried starting fluid cant find the leak. The engine doesn't change at all when spraying it around the lines. My truck has these weird plastic lines and they don't make them any more. Each side is a different size and connect using rubber elbows so no idea how i can use standard hoses to replace them. One I glued back together with e 6000.

Brilliant!

Simple and straightforward, I like it.

thanks man ...i pulled number 6 spark plug wire and heard a whitelisting noise, then the engine died on a old v6 taurus ........i can pull all the other wires and the engine wont die ....why does it keep dying on 6 and i hear the wistele right before it dies any ideas....

Does the car need to be running? ..or in the on position?or just off?

The mineral oil when getting hot creates an oily vapor which in turn , loosened the epoxy mountings... Just an fyi

I dig the funky tune!

Nice

This works fine maybe add a Warning Disclaimer to the video example use a power strip with built-in fuse breaker and properly dispose of oil soaked rags to avoid changing Channel Name to Fire Hazard Garage 🔥 jk keep up Good Content!

The only issue I have with mineral oil as a "smoke fuel" is not knowing how it will affect various sensors after coating them with that smoke. I like the idea of a fog machine, as it is water-based which is harmless as long as you're not going crazy on the smoke: just enough to get it done.

Using mineral oil in a DIY smoke device for diagnosing vacuum leaks can be safe, as long as you take proper precautions. Make sure the mineral oil is pure and doesn't contain additives that could produce harmful fumes. Additionally, use the device in a well-ventilated area, and avoid excessive heat to prevent the oil from producing hazardous vapors

Nice Miata!

I'm going to construct something very similar to test for a vacuum leak causing a low idle condition. However, I would imagine you could simply just connect a second hose to the inlet and gently manually blow the smoke into the system.

So I'm working out of an apartment and don't have access to an outlet. Is there either a safe way to use alligator clips to the battery, or to use a propane soldering iron?

👌💯

I will try the bee smoker that beekeepers use

I’m gonna use a dirty sock in mine! Thanks!

Does the soldering iron need to be touching the rags? Or just close?

Hello what is the safest way to store this after use since the rags are oil saturated?

Is there any part of the soldering iron that is touching the rag? Or is it just to heat the air inside the jar?

I just bought a bmw with a p0174 code. I know bmw’s are delicate sometimes so I’m wondering would this tester mess with my mass airflow sensor or any other sensors?

Well done! Short and to the point. The "music" doesn't add anything IMO.

You need to be critical of videos like this one. Unless you love life on the edge. First off it takes forever to heat up the iron. What you use to connect the in & out hoses on the lid of the jar is very important. In most of the videos the guys are just drilling holes sticking the outer piece of a Bic pen in the hole & sealing in up w/gasket maker/sealer. Not a good idea because before the soldering iron gets hot enough to create the smoke the jar lid has been getting hotter also & whatever plastic touching the lid will be melting. Second is the fact that most jars aren will crack or shatter,possibly explode(depending on the conditions). Third,You won't get alot of smoke unless your pushing fresh air into the jar. So while you don't see smoke that shit in the jar has gotten hotter than you think. So when you introduce O2 it could ignight & blow up(depends on amount of oil & what type). The jar will be to hot to hold in your hand so you will have to run the hoses from where you place the jar(hopefully on the ground inside something that isn't flamable)flammable. Another thing to consider is the length of your iron. When it's flush mounted onto the lid will it extend down far enough to make contact with the material you use to create the smoke? So you should use a short round jar. So for under 10 bucks you get a piece of shit that could blow up & start your shit on fire. Bad trip! Tips: Use a clean 1 gallon paint can. It's not going to tip over from the weight of a hose. Use air fittings w/ nuts. Won't have melting problem. Good luck , Be Safe , Smoke Pot & prepare for the REVOLUTION!!

There should be a warning disclaimer with this, lol. Good job though.

Thank you for 😢 tutorial on making a smoke machine, the noise machine the background needs to be lower.

There's no reason you shouldn't be able to retro fit some more modern controls on your boat Heidi

I think an aquarium air pump could be used to pump smoke

would a party fog machine also work?

Can I use heater core plug to heat the mineral oil?

I have diy smoke machine, and it works fine. I'd like to be sure I understand the process - Car off Throttle plate open (a little? All the way?) Cover air box (optional?) Hook machine up to *any* single vacuum hose (brake booster?) Did I leave anything out? Anything I got wrong? Many thanks!

I thought this was gonna be a how to video to make something to smoke out other drivers on the road 🤣

Looks like something I made in highschool....

can i use glow plug instead of soldering iron ?

what kind of oil do you use ? you said "Mineral" but I can't found anywhere baby mineral oil where I live in france. Thank you

I just built one with a Harbor Freight soldering iron but air is leaking through the soldering iron.

So this might be a silly a question but is there a reason why no seems to use smoke bombs/tabs? I use them when testing the sewers I install but I never seen anyone suggest them for car vacuum leaks. What am I missing?

Can I not use a vape and a hose to do the same progress

What if my engine running with electric throttle?

i have a 09 toyota yaris , im seriously looking at my engine right now , i really dont know where to attach it too

Damn, I was quoted $180 for an evap test that doesn't even include the price to maybe patch it if needed. I would love to do it myself but I'm too unfamiliar with engines to trust myself with this.

Baby oil stinks like crazy, I went to the grocery store and spent 2 or so bucks on glycerin, it's for your skin but it's the exact same thing as smoke machine and vapes

just made this... how are you not getting smoke coming out of the solder iron harness? im using the same HF one as you. (EDIT), i see you are too.

Does the car need to be running? Opening the throttle wouldn't you flood the engine?

Will olive oil work

Nice bomb

Can i use incenses?

I want to be 110% sure will the baby oil contaminate the gasoline and make it not ignite properly ???

Is that a bread tie on the air box 😂

Dang that’s pretty genius. Did you think of this yourself or do you wanna give some credit to someone else?

I cannot believe I have 2 do this nonsense. I cannot wait until AGI fixes all of this

Fish bubbler

Your pcv is leaking...

you can just use a vaper and blow it thought the house

so that was actually 80 bucks stomach ache machine, because the Pcv valve is probably 70 bucks itself already and the smoke smells like cats anaI tubes

damn i tried this and it did not quite work. Smoke was created indeed but it mostly came out of the soldering gun.

How to build it from the start..

I cannot get this to produce enough smoke.

Or just buy the machine from Home Depot and return it after you finished lol free

I’ll just have my buddy who vapes blow in the tube

10 bucks, eh? a cheap bicycle pump is more than that by itself. still cheap... but not 10 bucks cheap.

My issue is the music on this kinda of videos shouldn't be nothing but car noises

That is definitely not a $10 smoker. Especially with that tubing lol. If someone is young and living in an apartment with nothing laying around the garage like most people have, I think they are looking at a $20-25 set up realistically

10$ I think your math is a little off...But since some things you would keep for further use, ill let it slide

pot heads getting crazy ideas! LOL

Hey I see here people bashing you for the cost of things. Thanks Biden for that, but moving on if you have a spare tire well you have air pressure, go fill it at Costco for free with 40 PSI. Get a paper clip fold in half next take a bic cap and put hole dead center push paper clip to expose aprox 1/4 inch thru cap, now wind the extra clip wire around the cap. Now push it into the hose with the protruding paper clip to depress the tire valve in the hose aprox 5/16. Me I would loosen the valve with core remover but want to keep the cheapies satisfied and push into hose over air valve and now you have a somewhat air supply for free. If you do this when you get gas you can do it for free.

Straight copied from the 'error code guy' channel....

I like your neck mole!

Does the car need to be running? ..or in the on position?or just off?