Tool for detecting exhaust leaks?
- Thread starter J Banning
- Start date
Welcome!
By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.
I was testing for some vac leaks with carb cleaner and all of the sudden I had a cloud of smoke under the hood.
Hmmmm (after my head cleared and I could think again......), I pull the CCP hose and squirted some cleaner in there. Above a second later POOF......Smoke everywhere.
I discovered all of my exhaust leaks pretty fast. Once I knew which parts, I used halved tennis balls covered in latex glove to seal the pipes and pressurized them with 5 PSI of air and used soapy water to find the cracks.
TK
Hmmmm (after my head cleared and I could think again......), I pull the CCP hose and squirted some cleaner in there. Above a second later POOF......Smoke everywhere.
I discovered all of my exhaust leaks pretty fast. Once I knew which parts, I used halved tennis balls covered in latex glove to seal the pipes and pressurized them with 5 PSI of air and used soapy water to find the cracks.
TK
REDS HOT AIR
Buick Tweaker
- Joined
- May 24, 2001
- Messages
- 3,433
piece of hose stuck up to your ear
- Joined
- May 24, 2001
- Messages
- 1,996
James, I found most of my exhaust leaks when I blew my turbo...it is very clear when you can see large amounts of smoke coming from exhaust connections.
You may want to try to do the "Top Engine" cleaning that some people talk about. I hear that it smokes up the neighborhood, and while you are cleaning off the top of the motor you will also be able to look under the hood for leaks. When you pour in the "stuff" it should cause the car to smoke, and if your car has exhaust leaks you will be able to see the smoke "puffing out" of the leak.
Just an idea....
Top Engine Cleaner, or blow out the intake side of your Turbo...(I'd go with option 1)
Hope this helps you a bit!
You may want to try to do the "Top Engine" cleaning that some people talk about. I hear that it smokes up the neighborhood, and while you are cleaning off the top of the motor you will also be able to look under the hood for leaks. When you pour in the "stuff" it should cause the car to smoke, and if your car has exhaust leaks you will be able to see the smoke "puffing out" of the leak.
Just an idea....
Top Engine Cleaner, or blow out the intake side of your Turbo...(I'd go with option 1)
Hope this helps you a bit!
Thanks guys. The motor with the cam, lifters and all is quite noisy and it's hard for me to pinpoint the source of my exhaust leak. I've been under the car several times looking and feeling for any leaks, but no luck as of yet. I was thinking of trying the top enging cleaner... so that'll probably be the way to go.
I guess no one has heard or seen any sort of diagnostic tool that you could probe around and would tell you of the presence of any leaks?
-Banning.
I guess no one has heard or seen any sort of diagnostic tool that you could probe around and would tell you of the presence of any leaks?
-Banning.
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2001
- Messages
- 2,205
There is a company that sells a smoke machine to diagnose vacuum leaks for OBD2 cars. I should work for you. I don't know how much it cost though.
Intercooler
New Member
- Joined
- May 24, 2001
- Messages
- 3,534
Our exhaust systems are fairly is to work on. If it were me I would take the whole system apart and start from scratch since it doesn't take real long. First thing is to check the headers, etc... for cracks and while off you can modify the headers like I did my old stock set by running stainless bolts from the topside and tacking them in place with a small weld so they act as studs for perfect alignmet. This also makes it much easier when trying to put the crossover on instead of holding the pipe up there and trying to start the bolts from the bottom side. Next would be to put the headers on with Fel-Pro 1400 exhaust gaskets. Mount the turbo with a turbo Rivieria gasket (graphite like the stock head gaskets and 1400's). These gaskets "will not leak" so at this point you are good to go other than if your crossover doesn't mate up well or your downpipe isn't seating. I doubt the downpipe leaking but some soap/water mix (more soap than water) sprayed on the joint will tell you something. On the crossover I would lightly coat the butt portion of the joint with some never-seize or gear install compound (colored) before putting it on and torquing it down to see if you are getting a good crush there. If you have areas where the goop isn't getting smeared well or no signs of contact you may need to rework your crossover or get a new one. Good luck!
I'll be trying the top engine cleaner method this weekend.
I think I mentioned in a prior thread that I tried running the 1400's but none of my crossover pipes would fit (2 stock & 1 ATR). I'm not running any gaskets now, but took everything apart last weekend and reassembled with Permatex UltraCopper sealer.
We have emissions testing here in DE, but it's state run. However, some of the local shops may have some equipment. I'll check this weekend.
-Banning.
I think I mentioned in a prior thread that I tried running the 1400's but none of my crossover pipes would fit (2 stock & 1 ATR). I'm not running any gaskets now, but took everything apart last weekend and reassembled with Permatex UltraCopper sealer.
We have emissions testing here in DE, but it's state run. However, some of the local shops may have some equipment. I'll check this weekend.
-Banning.
- Joined
- May 26, 2001
- Messages
- 9,208
Guess us old, cranky shade tree types are too cheap to buy smoke machines and fancy stuff.
Get a piece of old vacuum hose about 2' long and some trans fluid. Remove the vac line behind the alt and install the 2' piece.
With the car running, put the other end in the trans fluid for a few seconds. You will know if, and where, you have an exhaust leak.
Also good for clearing bugs from the neighborhood for the evening!
