Mobile smoke machine for vacuum leak testing? Essex area

[jimxms]

I recently got my car back from having an engine rebuild with larger cam and various other goodies. However, it just won't idle on its own without bogging down and dying. I can sometimes keep it alive if I catch it quickly and keep the revs above 1k, but as soon as i let off the throttle it dies almost instantly.

I sent my engine tuner lots of log files and we've tried a few different tunes, but now he is leaning towards it being an mechanical issue now like a vacuum leak, rather than the tune.

I've tried all the old tricks of brake cleaner around all the vacuum lines, plugs, ports...etc, but I cannot find anything obvious. So my next step is to try and get a smoke test done on it. However, as the car is a total pain to try and drive I'm hoping that someone knows of a mobile service in the Essex area that might be able to do this?

I know that AC repair companies have smoke testers for finding leaks, but I'm not sure if their application can be adapted for this?

[Fleckers]

Why not take it back to the engine builder ?

[996TT02]

Just curious how would a smoke test work in locating a vacuum leak? Is it done with the engine off and the manifold pressurised?

[jimxms]

Fleckers said:

Why not take it back to the engine builder ?

They are 2hrs away and it will have to be trailered there at a cost of £250. I'd like to try and diagnose the issue at home if I can. Of course, if all fails then it will be going back.

[jimxms]

996TT02 said:

Just curious how would a smoke test work in locating a vacuum leak? Is it done with the engine off and the manifold pressurised?

I'm no mechanic, but I just assume you'd fill the manifold with smoke (engine off) and see if any of the smoke leaks out. I myself cannot see how you could diagnose a small crack in a manifold for example with this method. It probably works best for unplugged hoses etc?

If you could pressurise the manifold with smoke then that would be better, but I'm not sure how you'd do that.

Alternatively, start the engine and cloud smoke around the exterior of the engine and see if the smoke is 'inhaled' anywhere by the vacuum leak?

[M_A_S]

I'm a mobile mechanic with a smoke machine, Colchester based. Where are you?

[jimxms]

M_A_S said:

I'm a mobile mechanic with a smoke machine, Colchester based. Where are you?

Wickford mate. If you could let me know a price to come over this way that’d be great.

[doro708]

Hi,

I have just talked with my mechanic, he is in Basildon and he can has a smoke machine for vacuum leaking .
It will coast you £60 and the name of the garage is Power Developments - BMW , VW, AUDI , ALFA , MERCEDES specialist.

[steveo3002]

you can get a disco type smoke machine for 20 or so on ebay , few online posts where theyve cobbled up a hose to it and used that

[BluePurpleRed]

I say this only partly in jest...

I wonder if you could get a vape with no nicotine in it and use that? I walked behind someone the other day who could genuinely fill a single garage in about 3 massive honks on his crack.. i mean nicotine pipe.

One of those with no "juice" in it might be perfect for blowing into the engine bay slowly ( smoke rings optional ) and seeing what disturbs the vapour?

[jimxms]

doro708 said:

Hi,

I have just talked with my mechanic, he is in Basildon and he can has a smoke machine for vacuum leaking .
It will coast you £60 and the name of the garage is Power Developments - BMW , VW, AUDI , ALFA , MERCEDES specialist.

Is he mobile, or would I have to get the car to him? Thanks

[doro708]

You need to get the car to him .