Smoke machine for vacuum leak

Flatfoot

5 Year Member
Aug 18, 2017
72
96
38
Milton, Fl
I built a smoke machine this evening to check for any leaks. Figured I would pass the build along. I got all the parts from Lowe’s except the wire. Had to order it from Amazon. Below is the parts list
1 PVC closet flange (Get the one with the cap on the bottom) $3.98
1 PVC 4 inch Cleanout adapter $8.58
1 PVC 4 inch Cleanout plug $4.08
1 2-pk 5/32 x 3/8 x 1/16 rubber washers $1.02
1 pk #10-24x1 Roundhead bolts with nuts $1.28
2 1/4 inch threaded air fittings 2 @ $1.99
1 pk of 16-14 gauge ring terminals $3.58
1 pk of 30 amp battery clamps $4.18
1 2 pk of Tiki torch replacement wicks $2.47
1 10ft roll of 3/8 ID clear vinyl hose $4.38
1 hose splice brass bard 3/8 ID to 3/8 ID barb $2.99
Kanthal A1 26ga resistance wire (from Amazon) $6.89
Total $50.46
Here is the video on YouTube of how to put it together and how it works. All credit goes to Brew2l on YouTube

View: https://youtu.be/crc6CJ_ni2w


And I found my leak
CEBC5B79-1C58-4A21-9635-8F8E882C0FE3.jpeg
BBD12BB3-6A9D-4E9F-82AA-6A92DD6AD3B9.jpeg
 
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That's pretty cool, I made a simpler version quite a few years ago out of a pickle jar with some hose barbs in the lid
burned some cardboard in the jar for smoke.
If your a smoker (which I am not ) you could always do what my buddy did, take a big puff of cigarette, pull the booster vac line
and blow into it....lol it did work though.
 
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Nifty little setup! However, it's a lot cheaper to use some starting fluid, and a fire extinguisher. I never had to use the ladder, but it does happen.