The Smoke Machine Oil Leak Detection

ou812545 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 04:26 PM

Anyone have any experience with "The Smoke Machine" leak detection system?

I'm looking for an engine builder or service shop in the SF Bay Area that has one.

http://www.thesmokemachine.com/homepage.html

Thank,
Dan

Got the Bug · #2 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ou812545

Anyone have any experience with "The Smoke Machine" leak detection system?

I'm looking for an engine builder or service shop in the SF Bay Area that has one.

http://www.thesmokemachine.com/homepage.html

Thank,
Dan

Dan,

Just curious. What kind of leak are you chasing? You can buy a pretty inexpensive dye kit/light through Summit or Napa that would be effective in isolating most problems.

onefastmustang · #3 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 04:30 PM

You can pick one up on ebay.. current bid is 19.99

ou812545 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 04:32 PM

It appears to be a rear main, but the source can be a number of places.

Got the Bug · #5 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ou812545

It appears to be a rear main, but the source can be a number of places.

The dye kit will point you in the right direction. You'll be able to see if the intake is leaking, valve covers, etc.. I thought my leak was a rear seal failure, but it ended up being an oil galley plug on the back of the block (which meant that the transmission had to come out).

onefastmustang · #6 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 05:41 PM

Yes the dye does work quite well.. I have a bunch of it here I bought from Summit. Makes a hell of a mess if you have a big leak, but so does the oil..

bobcowan · #7 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 09:28 PM

I had a leak that I just couldn't track down. I thought it was the rear main or the pan, so I changed those. I also looked at the front cover, and valve covers. I just couldn't find it.

Hooked up the smoke machine at Lou's Cars. Took about 10 minutes. Smoke came out from under the fuel pump block of plate. A little silicone and the leak was fixed.

onefastmustang · #8 (**permalink**) 05-11-2009, 09:40 PM

I have an industrial fog machine sitting in the garage. Sometimes I consider trying to outfit it to pump fog into my engine to check for leaks..

onefastmustang · #9 (**permalink**) 05-17-2009, 09:41 PM

On a whim I bought a Leak Tamer. Only because I seem to get them too often..

If you want to come over and use it you are welcome to.

Mike

UncleDenny · #10 (**permalink**) 05-19-2009, 06:15 AM

I've successfully used the exhaust side of a shop vac to apply a little pressure to the crankcase on a stopped engine after wiping it clean. Much easier to find a leak before the fans blow the oil around.