DIY smoker for boost/vacuum leaks?

ChaseZ · 03-17-2017, 09:05 AM

Perfect thanks.

ChaseZ · 03-17-2017, 10:55 AM

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.

gomer_110 · 03-17-2017, 11:20 AM

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.

ChaseZ · 03-17-2017, 12:01 PM

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?

cooltoy · 03-17-2017, 12:08 PM

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

ChaseZ · 03-17-2017, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooltoy

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

Zat_Zuma · 03-17-2017, 12:24 PM

Aklands-Grainger has metal 5 gallon pails

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

cooltoy · 03-17-2017, 12:32 PM

No lid.

cooltoy · 03-17-2017, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaseZ

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

I picked some up at Praxair without an account.

Just past Chinook, off of Blackfoot.

I have a big chunk in the freezer.

TopgunZ · 03-17-2017, 01:43 PM

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

ChaseZ · 03-17-2017, 01:58 PM

I like that idea.

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

ChaseZ · 03-17-2017, 02:49 PM

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....

Zat_Zuma · 03-17-2017, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaseZ

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 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....

Did it make a loud popping sound? lid hit the roof?
Too funny lol

Sorry..... I just had a vision

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

ChaseZ · 03-17-2017, 04:41 PM

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.

ChaseZ · 03-17-2017, 04:41 PM

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

03-17-2017, 11:20 AM	#18 (permalink)
gomer_110 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Perrysburg, OH Posts: 17,992 Drives: '11 Nismo #528 GM Rep Power: 36941	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. __________________ '11 370Z Nismo #528 Fast Intentions \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| Uprev \| CSF \| Zspeed \| Z1 Motorsports \| AST \| Swift \| SPC \| SPL \| Whiteline \| Hotchkis \| Bride \| Schroth \| Robispec \| Cusco \| Nismo \| Volk \| Forgestar \| Hoosier \| RJM '17 Titan Bone Stock

03-17-2017, 12:08 PM	#20 (permalink)
cooltoy Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Calgary Posts: 13,973 Drives: 14 PW 370Z S/T MT Rep Power: 243722	I got some dry ice at home if you need some. ChaseZ likes this. __________________ Member of kenchan's "photoshopped mods" and "proper offsets" gang.

03-17-2017, 12:24 PM	#22 (permalink)
Zat_Zuma A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Edmonton, Alberta ...eh Posts: 1,171 Drives: 2017 Touring auto Rep Power: 19	Aklands-Grainger has metal 5 gallon pails https://www.acklandsgrainger.com/en/...R-VESPAILSTLRI __________________ [B]2009 & 2017 370Z Touring Sport Autos SOLD

03-17-2017, 12:32 PM	#23 (permalink)
cooltoy Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Calgary Posts: 13,973 Drives: 14 PW 370Z S/T MT Rep Power: 243722	No lid. __________________ Member of kenchan's "photoshopped mods" and "proper offsets" gang.

03-17-2017, 01:43 PM	#25 (permalink)
TopgunZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 2,651 Drives: 06 350Z , 09 370Z MT Rep Power: 6834	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 __________________ ROTREX SUPERCHARGER TUNER KITS - $6799/ CUSTOM STILLEN AIR TO AIR KITS -$2100/ 700+ WHP!! WWW.TOPGUNSPEEDWORKS.COM

03-17-2017, 09:05 AM	#16 (permalink)
ChaseZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2016 Location: Calgary Posts: 3,799 Drives: 16 370z Rep Power: 94683	Perfect thanks.

03-17-2017, 10:55 AM	#17 (permalink)
ChaseZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2016 Location: Calgary Posts: 3,799 Drives: 16 370z Rep Power: 94683	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.

03-17-2017, 12:01 PM	#19 (permalink)
ChaseZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2016 Location: Calgary Posts: 3,799 Drives: 16 370z Rep Power: 94683	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?

03-17-2017, 01:58 PM	#26 (permalink)
ChaseZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2016 Location: Calgary Posts: 3,799 Drives: 16 370z Rep Power: 94683	I like that idea. Think I'll give this one a try. Have some fun while I'm at it lol

03-17-2017, 02:49 PM	#27 (permalink)
ChaseZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2016 Location: Calgary Posts: 3,799 Drives: 16 370z Rep Power: 94683	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....

03-17-2017, 04:41 PM	#29 (permalink)
ChaseZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2016 Location: Calgary Posts: 3,799 Drives: 16 370z Rep Power: 94683	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.

03-17-2017, 04:41 PM	#30 (permalink)
ChaseZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2016 Location: Calgary Posts: 3,799 Drives: 16 370z Rep Power: 94683	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 cooltoy likes this.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Antifreeze Loss/NO Leaks?	Bodytechz	Engine & Drivetrain	28	05-07-2023 05:25 PM
2011 370 roadster window leaks	hammerhead53	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	3	10-08-2014 09:05 PM
Oil cooler leaks question.	Guard Dad	Engine & Drivetrain	11	11-25-2011 09:53 AM
[FOR SALE] ProSport gauges - Boost/Vacuum, Wideband AFR, (blue/red) with pods	JordoKAP	Parts for sale (Private Classifieds)	2	11-18-2011 05:52 PM
Tsb: All nissan models; a/c system o-ring seal leaks	AK370Z	370Z Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) / Recalls	0	02-08-2010 11:16 PM