DIY smoker for boost/vacuum leaks?
 

I've seen DIY for them and all used a metal pail (5gal) with compressor hose going in and a line out to the piping. Easy enough. Problem is I haven't seen a metal bucket like that in years now. Been plastic as long as I can remember. Not sure what else around that size I could get in metal cheap enough to be disposable afterwards.

Any thoughts?

Or a different way of making one?

Paint can. You can probably pick one up at Sherwin-Williams on Macleod.

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pro...28fee_1000.jpg

Behrens makes metal pails with lids. Can be found at a Lowes.

Lowes in US, probably not in Canada.

Needs to be 5 gallon pail not 1. Apologies if I didn't make that clear. Otherwise it'd be piece of cake.

Mastercraft Galvanized Pail, 15-L | Canadian Tire

https://www.rona.ca/en/pail---galvan...ail-1750007--1

https://www.rona.ca/en/empty-metal-can-13705002

Thanks no lid though. I need to make a fire in it then seal and pressurized with my air compressor.

Don't mean to question you, I am sure you know that you need 5 gallons, but the only reason I suggested a paint can is because I saw this. I don't know anything about this subject (no sarcasm).

Cheap DIY smoke test for vacuum leaks - R3VLimited Forums

Not sure what size this is.

https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/mainsta.../6000196023992

or a garbage can maybe?

https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/mainsta.../6000187969133

not sure on the volume, I don't think their measurements are correct.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/deta...il/A-p8560013e

You should be able to find something suitable at most farm supply stores. Call some of the painters/contractors/suppliers/etc in your area and see if they have any old, empty containers you can have.

I don't see where the size of the container is particularly important. Anything from a quart can to a 55-gallon drum ought to work.

Edit: A pressurized paint pot would be ideal - it will already have holes drilled and possibly fittings.

I just can't imagine how that would be big enough.

He is also using just the little 3/8" vacuum hose. I'll be using 1" ID heater hose to connected to my BOV so I can check the charge pipe and everything. Plus I'll be at about 155psi when I pressurize the whole system.

I have some old 1gal paint cans in the basement I could clean one out and try but I just can't bend my head around it being enough. Been wrong once before though so it could happen.

Worth a shot.

Just needs to be big enough I can make a fire in it then let it s older and close the lid. I didn't think I'd get enough smoke from a 2gallon pail for the whole system under pressure, and for long enough to see where it comes out.

Don't bother making a fire. Just get a couple of these (only use one at a time):

Smoke Emitters

They'll make plenty of smoke for what you need.

Perfect thanks.

Armed with this new knowledge of smoking candles I was able to slap something together in the garage. I'm assuming now those things will fit in a 1g can. Even if not Plastic would probably be ok? Either way think this is covered as long as the Acklands here has them in stock.

http://www.the370z.com/members/chase...2-img-1618.jpg

Yes, they will fit in a 1 gal paint can.

Another place you might be able to find the smoke candles is a fire protection supply company.

None of the Acklands here had them in stock but could bring them in for Monday. The caveat is the 3 minute burns are $26 a piece or 1 minute $170 for a dozen. I sort of had an idea in my head that these things would be maybe $8-9 a piece but not so much. I'd probably want a few of them too. So told her I'd call if I wanted her to bring some in for Monday.

Think I'll hook up that can I assembled and pressurize it to 15psi. Since the engine doesn't have to be runni I should be able to hear any leaks audibly - it just won't be quite as straight forwRd to pinpoint them but I'm sure it's still doable. At least this way I can address any obvious ones and maybe use the smoke candles for a final test or something.

Otherwise I could just bring it to a shop and they charge like $100 for their smoke machine to diagnose.

Heck a one way check valve into the side of the can and I could blow cigar smoke into it lol

Dry ice?

I got some dry ice at home if you need some.

I'm sitting in the parking lot googling where to buy some other than praxair where you need an account.

Looks like I could rent a luquid fog machine from a party rental store for $25/day as another alternative.

Think I'll try just air and see what I can accomplish. Then might take you up in the dry ice offer after doing what I can that way. Thanks :tup:

Aklands-Grainger has metal 5 gallon pails

https://www.acklandsgrainger.com/en/...R-VESPAILSTLRI

No lid.

I picked some up at Praxair without an account.

Just past Chinook, off of Blackfoot.

I have a big chunk in the freezer.

Why not just use some smoke bombs. They are like 20 cents a piece and you can buy them at wal-mart. Or buy them online at ebay/amazon. Or get some of those "gender revealing" bombs from some place.

Or..this 4 Ways to Make a Smoke Bomb - wikiHow

I like that idea.

Think I'll give this one a try. Have some fun while I'm at it lol

Well the 1 gallon metal paint can blew its lid at less than 5psi. I rigged up an adapter to go from 3/8 airline to a 1/8 barb so I can at least maybe hear any air escaping from places it shouldn't. At such low psi thiugnjm not sure if I will or not. At least I can go straight to the manifold and test that way with it though. Will see....

:rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2:

Did it make a loud popping sound? lid hit the roof?
Too funny lol :bowrofl:
Sorry..... I just had a vision

Glue the lid on or JB spot weld it in place?

Can't bond the lid on, I need to be able to drop smoke bomb or whatever inside then close it up. Was the first thing that came to mind. Need a pressure cooker or something lol

In better news I figured out the main Boost leak that spawned all this. The vacuum cap came off the back of the manifold when I switched out those lines for uni-breathers. It is now clamped, and I had five or ten minute drive with Boost before another leak popped up. Go figure. So I'm not done with this smoker project just yet.

No it popped up a couple feet though right behind me while I was bent over the engine! Scared the crap out of me for half a second until I realized what it was

:inoutroflpuke:

I found my boost leak by just putting pressure in the system. MAF gasket leaked around 3 psi. Fixed it and then took it up to 5 and stopped since that is a lot more pressure than you realize.

That's basically what I ended up doing. Just made up an adapter at a few psi right to the compressor to listen for ppssssssts. I disconnected the lie to the bypass valve so Air was going right jnto the manifold. Some carb cleaner found a small leak st the silicone couple where the charge pipe meets the blower. And that's where I'm at. On to the next one I guess.... just hope like hell I dint have to adjust anything on the manifold itself. We all know how much that one sucks.