Smoke Leak Detection
 

I have a couple of pending leak repairs and thinking a smoke generator with a built-in low-press (15 psi) pump would come in handy.

Anyone use a portable smoke generator to find leaks? Any issues with this method?

Are you talking about engine leaks or hull ?
I know one guy that smoke tests every engine he builds before it goes out the door. I think it has saved him a few times by finding a leaking intake or valve cover.
Body shops use smoke to test for water leaks so if you are looking for hull leaks I would think it would be very similar.

My 2 immediate needs are:
For an inflatable tow behind "tube" with a leak somewhere and an air leak on the suction side of a pool pump.

The more I think abt it, the more applications I can come up with.
Cooling systems, intake plumbing, intercoolers, radiators, oil coolers, exhaust sys, fuel vent and fill hoses, fuel vapor recovery systems, pool plumbing,,, the list goes on..
Seeing them range from $69 to many hundreds. Kinda like the ones with built-in compressor (~15 psi). Not seeing a lot of 120V models. Most seem to be 12V..

This one caught my eye. Comes with nice assortments of connectors, built-in compressor and a press gauge. Runs on baby oil.

I have one that came from NAPA that I use on a regular basis. I think it was around $1200 and it has paid for itself many times over.

That might be ok for DIY use but I am not sure if I would use "Baby oil". I would not want anything that might contaminate whatever system you are testing. I would use the correct fluid that is made for this purpose.

I have used this one to find leaks on car engines/evap systems. Insane price, but it tells you if you actually have a leak, and how big it is.
https://www.sears.com/redline-detect...xSOxGGxDTxSURF

That is the same one that I have. Works great

That’s what mine uses too. It’s a Redline SmokePro. A kazzillion other shops use same one. Vehicle Evap systems is our main use.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e52688601.jpeg

Definitely DIY use. I was also concerned abt contamination initially, but figured I could always flush the line out if I felt it was necessary.

Manuf recommends baby oil. If you get a chance, ask your eng builder friend what he uses.

I have a smoke machine from back when I was turning wrenches. I use it for everything. Evap.leaks, intake & engine leaks, raft leaks. Has a built in regulator & rate of leak gauge similar to a leak down tester. I love the thing. It's small & portable.