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Alternative to Smoke Test for Vacuum Leaks


Dazzlin' Dave

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Vehicle Year
1994
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Ford
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Automatic
I've been chasing vacuum leaks on my 94 Splash 4.0 and found quite a few. At first I used some risky Starter Fluid, as have many of us have bravely (or stupidly) done. I couldn't narrow it down at first so I tried a smoke test. I found some vids online on how to rig up a smoke can with a cigar. I could smell it but couldn't see where it was coming from as I was in the driveway with a breeze blowing. Back to the Starter Fluid I found a bad leak on the lower intake no.3 runner. I re-regasketed (already had it apart less than 200mi to redo the heads) DON'T listen to the Felpro instructions telling you not to add gasket sealer!! That's a bunch of Crap!!:icon_confused:
After applying a nice 1/16in bead of Permatex on both sides of the gasket I put it together only to find it was still running like crap. I had a brainstorm and remembered what we used to do looking for leaks in Substation Transformers. The transformers are already pressurized but we'd spray a solution of dish soap and water around the gaskets and where it leaks there will be bubbles! Works on tires too! And this time the intake tested leak free, thankfully!! This time I found it was the o-rings were blown on the TB! Put a couple of o-rings from the kit on both sides since there was room for two side by side in the grooves, retested and no leaks!
To pressurize the intake I used the cap off a can of Wasp Spray, drilled it out and attached a piece of hose (put a brass fitting in the end for a snug fit) attached the other end to the air tank with a blow gun and Presto!!
But make sure you don't put too much pressure on it! I hit the gun too hard at one point and it blew the cap off, not that it hurt anything but it scared the crap outta me!:icon_surprised:
 
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john93rangerstx

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First off I always see problems when people use silicon on a gasket all ways ends up leaking
 

Dale_K

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Too bad the auto parts stores don't rent the smoke testers. I had an old Boxster that was driving me crazy and I finally paid to have a smoke test done. If found all the leaks and was worth the money.
 

syed20

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sultan

I've been chasing vacuum leaks on my 94 Splash 4.0 and found quite a few. At first I used some risky Starter Fluid, as have many of us have bravely (or stupidly) done. I couldn't narrow it down at first so I tried a smoke test. I found some vids online on how to rig up a smoke can with a cigar. I could smell it but couldn't see where it was coming from as I was in the driveway with a breeze blowing. Back to the Starter Fluid I found a bad leak on the lower intake no.3 runner. I re-regasketed (already had it apart less than 200mi to redo the heads) DON'T listen to the Felpro instructions telling you not to add gasket sealer!! That's a bunch of Crap!!
 

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