Finding Vacuum Leaks....with a cigar

[Webby the Bear]

I looked for vacuum leaks with carb cleaner and to be honest (due to space being tight in the engine bay) I'm not totally satisfied that I did it properly.

Plus there was the worry of it catching fire due to the carb cleaner being flammable.

So I searched a bit and found this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMok2y05jNE

What do you think? Anyone tried this?

I'm going to give it a go this weekend.

[Marks DTM Calib]

I use my ear but dont even start looking unless I have carreid out a vac gauge test to see if there is the need to do the investigation in the first place.

[Webby the Bear]

That's interesting... never heard of that test.

You reckon this will work for the DIYer? Seems to on the vid 

[Marks DTM Calib]

If its a small leak probably no, I  have never had much success with the carb cleaner one either.

The issue is that when the engine is running there is a lot of  'windage' from the rotating parts such as alternator, aircon, belts etc.

Given the vac leaks are often tiny they dont show up unless its a big one (which you could spot using your hearing)

[mantahatch]

What about this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DJ-DISCO-PARTY-MIST-SMOKE-EFFECT-SPRAY-CAN-NON-TOXIC-/190778999033?pt=UK_CE_DJ_equip_SmokeMachines_atmospherics_ET&hash=item2c6b5080f9 for the hard of hearing like me 

I am quite lucky in having access to 3 smoke machines and a smoke wand.

[Kevin Wood]

I find a length of heater hose held to the ear is pretty good. pass the other end round all the joints in the vac pipes and you'll soon hear even the smallest leak.

Worth getting a Lo-Gauge, though, just as a quick way to see if you have a problem in the first place, as said.

[Webby the Bear]

This is what I found....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gunson-G4103-Gauge-Vacuum-Tester/dp/B0012MCW10

Where and how do you hook this up?

Cheers.

[omega3000]

I looked for vacuum leaks with carb cleaner and to be honest (due to space being tight in the engine bay) I'm not totally satisfied that I did it properly.

Plus there was the worry of it catching fire due to the carb cleaner being flammable.

So I searched a bit and found this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMok2y05jNE

What do you think? Anyone tried this?

I'm going to give it a go this weekend.

Ill have the cigar's when your finished with them 

[Kevin Wood]

This is what I found....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gunson-G4103-Gauge-Vacuum-Tester/dp/B0012MCW10

Where and how do you hook this up?

Cheers.

That's the chap.

If diagnosing the multirams I normally take off the vacuum feed to the solenoid on the front multiram and connect it there. You should see around 0.7 bar / 20In.Hg vacuum there at idle and it should remain static after stopping the engine if there are no leaks and the one-way valve in the vacuum tank is OK.

[Webby the Bear]

This is what I found....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gunson-G4103-Gauge-Vacuum-Tester/dp/B0012MCW10

Where and how do you hook this up?

Cheers.

That's the chap.

If diagnosing the multirams I normally take off the vacuum feed to the solenoid on the front multiram and connect it there. You should see around 0.7 bar / 20In.Hg vacuum there at idle and it should remain static after stopping the engine if there are no leaks and the one-way valve in the vacuum tank is OK.

Thanks Kev.

Sorry for being stoopid  but where are multirams? Will attaching the device there check for leaks throughout the whole inlet manifold? (plenum, hoses, trumpets etc )

[cem_devecioglu]

I looked for vacuum leaks with carb cleaner and to be honest (due to space being tight in the engine bay) I'm not totally satisfied that I did it properly.

Plus there was the worry of it catching fire due to the carb cleaner being flammable.

So I searched a bit and found this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMok2y05jNE

What do you think? Anyone tried this?

I'm going to give it a go this weekend.

I found out that cigarette/cigar smoke tests to be successful when there is an air leak (unless fuel was spilled around )  I dont use a hose .. just take some puffs and bring cigarette closer to possible areas and if it sucks the smoke , you find it..

ps: not in a windy day

[Webby the Bear]

Thats another way of doing it Cem.

I think when I do it (as an experiment) I'll open the throttle butterflies and launch it in the inlets from there. and then try the trumpets too

[Webby the Bear]

Right, now I'm home and had a chance to investigate this vac gauge test....

i hook the gauge up anywhere on a vac line between the throttle body and engine, turn on engine and the needle should sit and not fluctuate. correct?

as for where to put said gauge, is this what kev was talking about....

[Kevin Wood]

Yes, that would be a good place to connect it to check the vacuum supply to the multirams.

[Webby the Bear]

Yes, that would be a good place to connect it to check the vacuum supply to the multirams.

Thank you mate. Much appreciated.

Will this also confirm vacuum leaks in the whole of the intake manifold or do I need to connect it somewhere else for that?