Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
$11 super-awesome DIY smoke machine vacuum leak detector
Page: 1, 2  Next
Forum Index -> Vanagon Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
veloandy
Samba Member


Joined: December 04, 2010
Posts: 356
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
veloandy is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 7:50 pm    Post subject: $11 super-awesome DIY smoke machine vacuum leak detector Reply with quote

I just got my 81 Westy running and have been in total vacuum-leak-finding purgatory.

I ended up throwing up my hands and taking it to Rocky Mountain Westy here in Fort Collins...after burning through 2.5 hours of labor they found a few more vacuum leaks...but I still had too many vacuum leaks for it to idle reliably.

So, I finally found a cheap and totally thorough way to find all the remaining vacuum leaks thanks to http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/081547.html

All I did was get a quart paint can, sloppily solder a hose barb and an air compressor quick disconnect fitting to the lid:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Then I pulled the AFM, plugged the S-boot with a beer bottle, and hooked some cheap aquarium tubing from the hose barb on my can to the vacuum advance barb:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Then I fired up my air compressor, set the hose pressure to 5 PSI (verified the pressure was low enough that I could stop the flow with my finger), and hooked the air compressor hose to the barb on the lid, and set the can on the ground ('cause it was going to get hot!). Finally I got an old greasy rag (that used to be a cotton T-shirt), soaked it with denatured alcohol, set it on fire, and threw it in the can! When it started burning and smoking well I hammered the lid on the can with a rubber mallet:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


And...low and behold, smoke squirted out of my two remaining vacuum leaks! From where the metal flange to the crankcase breather wasn't pushed all the way into the S-boot, and from the Vacuum T-fitting between the brake booster and the decel valve!

I patched those up, tested it again, and NO MORE VACUUM LEAKS! It finally runs and idles well enough that I think I'm going to try finally get it emissions tested on Monday. Wish me luck!

I only wish I had rigged this up earlier! Hopefully this post will help some sambanista in the future!

Yes...it's a good idea to have a fire extinguisher handy when doing this...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
sanchius Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1446
Location: IN
sanchius is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 7:57 pm    Post subject: Re: $11 super-awesome DIY smoke machine vacuum leak detector Reply with quote

veloandy wrote:

So, I finally found a cheap and totally thorough way to find all the remaining vacuum leaks thanks to http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/081547.html

I love it, awesome....
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
mackaymanx
Samba Member


Joined: October 12, 2006
Posts: 479
Location: Australia
mackaymanx is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 8:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Instead of a tshirt you could use an old hessian or heap bag, light it up then blow out the flame and it will smoulder for ages. That's what my dad used to use for his bee smoker.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
JeffRobenolt
Samba Member


Joined: February 25, 2007
Posts: 1513
Location: Wisconsin
JeffRobenolt is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 8:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I use to have something like that but we sucked the smoke out on the tubes. Never thought to use an air compressor, must of been on dope.
_________________
--------------------------------------------------------
jfats808 wrote:
Most, some, few is not all. You can always learn something from everyone , even the fool.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Tom Powell
Samba Member


Joined: December 01, 2005
Posts: 4855
Location: Kaneohe
Tom Powell is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 9:06 pm    Post subject: Re: $11 super-awesome DIY smoke machine vacuum leak detector Reply with quote

veloandy wrote:


Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.




The veolandy bong
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
IdahoDoug
Samba Member


Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10239
Location: N. Idaho
IdahoDoug is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 10:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

How about the "AndyCan". wait that kinda sounds like a portable bathroom, doesn't it?

DougM
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
IdahoDoug
Samba Member


Joined: June 12, 2010
Posts: 10239
Location: N. Idaho
IdahoDoug is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 10:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

How about the "AndyCan". wait that kinda sounds like a portable bathroom, doesn't it?

DougM
_________________
1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
ALIKA T3
Samba Member


Joined: July 30, 2009
Posts: 6316
Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
ALIKA T3 is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 11:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I love it too!!

That reminds me my buddy's bang,made with a coconut and some fittings like yours:hilarious Laughing Laughing

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us
_________________
Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
akyrie
Samba Member


Joined: March 24, 2010
Posts: 519
Location: Driftless, Wisco
akyrie is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 5:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Alika,

How do you introduce smoke to the coconut bong?

A.
_________________
Although I got a funny message from the Porsche guys, it read, "what a mighty ship that you must sail"
....has anyone else received that?

82 AHU DK, 1950's Puch-black
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
buspor63
Samba Member


Joined: February 17, 2005
Posts: 1179
Location: Knoxville,TN Where America stops for gas
buspor63 is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 5:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great home made tool! A thread in schrader valve and bike pump would also be a good alternative to pressurise the can....or like the mentioned bee smoker.
_________________
Imagine that, theres not an "h" in either Westfalia or Syncro?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
indytriple
Samba Member


Joined: April 27, 2009
Posts: 710
Location: Brownsburg, Indiana
indytriple is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 6:05 am    Post subject: Re: $11 super-awesome DIY smoke machine vacuum leak detector Reply with quote

veloandy wrote:
Then I pulled the AFM, plugged the S-boot with a beer bottle, and hooked some cheap aquarium tubing from the hose barb on my can to the vacuum advance barb:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Great idea! Apparently, necessity is the Mothership of invention.
_________________
"See The Glass As Already Broken."

87 Vanagon Westy Auto Bostig

www.bluegrassbicyclecompany.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Classifieds Feedback
FNGRUVN
Samba Member


Joined: October 27, 2007
Posts: 2237
Location: Fort Collins, CO
FNGRUVN is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:11 am    Post subject: Re: $11 super-awesome DIY smoke machine vacuum leak detector Reply with quote

indytriple wrote:
veloandy wrote:
Then I pulled the AFM, plugged the S-boot with a beer bottle, and hooked some cheap aquarium tubing from the hose barb on my can to the vacuum advance barb:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Great idea! Apparently, necessity is the Mothership of invention.



HaHa. I just caught that, but it's still early and my first cup of coffee hasn't kicked in yet.

Hey andy, I'm here in FC and I have an '80 westy. I haven't seen you around. We should get together and compare notes.
_________________
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
climberjohn
Samba Member


Joined: January 11, 2005
Posts: 1840
Location: Portland Orygun
climberjohn is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Brilliant, I love it, great post!

-CJ
_________________
'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
kshbaja
Samba Member


Joined: June 15, 2008
Posts: 476
Location: Portland, OR
kshbaja is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

How long does the burning rag produce smoke for?
_________________
1986 Westfalia
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
veloandy
Samba Member


Joined: December 04, 2010
Posts: 356
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
veloandy is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You guys crack me up!

Come to think of it...when the can was billowing smoke from the tube I was strangely reminded of the over-the-top props of a Cheech and Chong movie...

Sanchius: I actually started looking through bee keeping sites as I was thinking about this! Apparently cardboard egg crates throw off a lot of smoke too (and might be more common in a modern/suburban/urban house like mine than rotted burlap sacks)

FNGRUVN: I'd love to get together! I was just lamenting my lack of local gear head friends! I'm not too surprised that you haven't seen me driving around -- I've only put a grand total of around ~100 miles on my Westy since I got it on the road a few weeks ago. Just brace yourself for how beat/ugly/tired my Westy is when you see it in person. I'll send you a PM.

kshbaja: I used a piece of T shirt that was ~4"X10". I let it burn for maybe a minute or two before closing the lid on the can. I let it smoke for maybe another 4 minutes before I had found the leaks. It might have burned longer, but I popped the lid and filled the can with my garden hose to put everything out.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
kshbaja
Samba Member


Joined: June 15, 2008
Posts: 476
Location: Portland, OR
kshbaja is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 10:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Was it hard to seal the compressor and barb fittings into the cap? Did you just use regular old solder?

I am actually in the middle of trying to find an EVAP leak on another car and was just about to give up and take it to a shop with a smoke machine.
_________________
1986 Westfalia
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
veloandy
Samba Member


Joined: December 04, 2010
Posts: 356
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
veloandy is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 11:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi kshbaja...it was pretty easy to seal...and as you can tell from the pics, I'm a pretty crappy solderer.

I just drilled a couple of holes to fit the barbs using my Harbor Freight stepped drill bit, stuck the barbs in, and spread flux paste on the base of the fittings.

I heated the can and fittings with a MAPP gas torch (but a propane torch would have been fine too) and soldered it using plumbing solder. The molten solder flows toward the heat of the torch anywhere you put flux. Don't use electrical (rosin-core) solder...that won't really work well.

If you don't have a propane or MAPP gas torch...you could also just JB-weld them on. They only have to hold 5 PSI so you don't have to do a stellar job.

This would totally work on a different kind of car...and hopefully save the massive $$$ vs. going to a shop with a smoke machine. HOWEVER...you might want to remove the airflow sensor from your other car...Some cars have mass-airflow-sensors which draw the intake air over a heated honeycomb and measure the air density by how fast the honecomb is cooled...I imagine that getting a thin layer of smoky residue on the honeycomb could be bad...but a few minutes worth of smoke probably wouldn't be the end of the world.

Good luck!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
DAIZEE
Samba Member


Joined: January 26, 2010
Posts: 7552
Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
DAIZEE is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 11:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Andy's Bong it shall be! How inventive. Now was the beer bottle serviced before or after the test. A second one would be indicated none the less for the success. Hm Andy's Bong, Libby's Bong; highly marketable and/or home made!!!! GREAT THINKING!
_________________
'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
JunkYarDog
Samba Member


Joined: March 11, 2007
Posts: 676
Location: New Mexico
JunkYarDog is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 12:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am so building one of these! Nice thing is I always look for ways to make it better, but I don't see that as a problem here! Great find, thanks for sharing!

**edit**

I have found something to use rather than a paint can. Same family line however. I have an old siphon feed spray gun that I broke the pick up tube on. I am gonna see if I can make it work in the same capacity. The benifit being I don't need to solder any parts in place. The tank has a place for ingoing air and the vent tube will be used for outgoing smoke. Plus the size of the vent allows me to connect it to normal vacuum line tubes. (This was a $10 Buffalo tools sprayer)
_________________
I have never owned a VW I didn't like, but there have been a few Fords and Chevy's.
85' GL Sunroof
68' Beetle sedan
72' Chevy C10 (LWB Step)
(67' Volvo 122S pending)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
sanchius Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: May 03, 2007
Posts: 1446
Location: IN
sanchius is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 1:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

veloandy wrote:
You guys crack me up!

Sanchius: I actually started looking through bee keeping sites as I was thinking about this! Apparently cardboard egg crates throw off a lot of smoke too (and might be more common in a modern/suburban/urban house like mine than rotted burlap sacks)



Actually, it was mackaymanx who brought up the bee smoker.

Not to hijack the thread, but it's funny, we happen to keep a couple bee hives at various altitudes here along the Front Range. The most incredible honey I've ever experienced comes from a high altitude hive we keep in an abandoned log cabin on some friends property, armored against bears, that sits right next to a massive wild flower field at 9000'. We call it "Hi Honey".

One night after dinner (and several bottles of wine), the "Hi Honey" name led us to consider contacting some of the medical herb growers in the area to site a hive in one of their grow operations to make "High Honey". But, we were told they don't actually want that stuff pollinated. Hummm, I guess this brings this post back in line with the "Andy's bong" theme of this thread.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Vanagon All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.