smoke machine

[slowtech]

We have been getting by without any type of smoke machine. Now with the small leak codes its become a challenge. What smoke machine does anyone recommend? What features are important?

[dfrisby]

I have an older snapon smoke machine I got a good used deal on from the snapon truck. Has to blow smoke out a hose. Got mine a year ago and can't believe how often I use it. Intake leaks, exhaust leaks, gas tank leaks on small engine tanks. And of course, evaporated leaks. Could never go back to not having one.

 

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[carolinahigear]

Re: Smoke machines. We make a lotta money with our smoke machine. I don't remember what brand it is, because to me they're all the same. They make smoke and it flows into the system you're checking, and wherever it comes out is where you put the fix!!

 

When a car comes in with the "service engine" light on, and we read an evap leak, we explain that we need to hook up the smoke machine to the car, and it's $89.95 to smoke it.

 

 

Cha-Ching$$

 

Hi-Gear

[xrac]

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[davine4real]

Smoke pro is good. I have the blue point but it sprung a leak within first 6 months. Still can use it but disappointed with the quality for $1500!

[davine4real]

For the record is difficult to accurately diagnose evap codes without it. The other uses like lean codes, wind inside the car all are super useful. Had a 1995 Buick with lean codes. Thought since it was old it was gna be easy to check for vac leaks.... Car spray the hoses. We'll after chasing my tail I put the smoke machine to use. 3 tiny hoses were cracked.... Fixed in 5 minutes once bought some more hose. In conclusion, this isn't just for new cars, it's for anybody who is SERIOUS about diagnostic and accuracy!

[cleenyc99]

I use a Blue Point machine I bought a few years ago. It has worked grate and comes with some dye and a black light to make small leaks a little easer to find. It was around $800 from the Snap-on guy.

[Mario]

I have the cheaper snapon, it was $1300 or so. Before that I had a DIY machine for about 2 years. Before that I would fill the evap systems with 1.5psi of air and use soapy water to find leaks. Both worked, but the snapon is much easier.

[Truett]

We need one lately so this is what we bought. I waited until they had a 10% off sale on a holiday.....

https://www.jbtoolsales.com/redline-detection-95-0003b-smoke-pro-total-tech-diagnostic-leak-detector-kit/

 

Works great. Had one in my other shop for 2 years or so.

Richard

[mspecperformance]

Whatever smoke machine you get I would suggest you charge a separate fee for that test alone or package it together with a series of tests. For instance we package a smoke test into our level 1 diag which comes out to $150 before tax and fees. We used to charge $99-119 alone for a smoke test but we have since developed a tiered system for our diag process which makes us more profitable, streamlines the process, and has much more detailed explanation of all the tests and procedures we are doing which equates to value for our clients.

 

 

We have both an OTC smoke machine (which I'd like to upgrade) for our regular smoke tests and also a high PSI smoke machine by redline for boost leaks.

Edited November 2, 2016 by mspecperformance

[Junior]

Whatever smoke machine you get I would suggest you charge a separate fee for that test alone or package it together with a series of tests. For instance we package a smoke test into our level 1 diag which comes out to $150 before tax and fees. We used to charge $99-119 alone for a smoke test but we have since developed a tiered system for our diag process which makes us more profitable, streamlines the process, and has much more detailed explanation of all the tests and procedures we are doing which equates to value for our clients.

 

 

We have both an OTC smoke machine (which I'd like to upgrade) for our regular smoke tests and also a high PSI smoke machine by redline for boost leaks.

A little off topic but how do you structure your diagnostic tiers? I need to find a better way to bill diagnostic time, especially a way to give the customer an idea of what they are in for before the job starts. Currently we bill most diagnostic fees hourly and tell the customer they should be prepared for at least an hour of time. I'm sure there is a better way though.

 

 

 

As for a smoke machine, get one, who cars what brand. I can't imagine getting by without one. We have an OTC and it gets used nearly every day. To be safe you should get a nitrogen generator or a smoke machine that has one built in. Its technically dangerous to pump a fuel tank full of compressed air. Most modern cars have pump modules so the pump is never exposed to air but if you try it on something old there is a chance for explosion if you're not using nitrogen. I use the machine to find intake air leaks on metered air systems. Probably the #1 cause of fuel trims being long.

[alfredauto]

Ours is a vacutech 2000e, same one in the Toyota dealer. $1500 or so and works great. One tank of fluid lasts literally years using it daily. We use it for everything.

[AJFA]

Agree with Redline. Yes, we fix cars & make a ton of money with it. Use it almost every day.

Start at 1.0 labor charge for smoke test plus for the initial code check then go from there for repairs.

Dave

[Alex]

Moved to Automotive Shop Tools & Equipment Forum

[jameswnw]

You really need a smoke machine! not sure how you get by without one?

 

But if you are looking to evap testing take a look at this.

 

 

 

[eeeautoservice]

Hello Everyone,

 

If you are able to buy any sort of smoke machine, you are lucky because most people use a cigarette or anything to produce smoke. If you do have the extra hundred bucks to spend than you can find great deals on craigslist or any classified website. My smoke machine is simple and does the job to catch for emission leaks. Most cars have an area were you can connect the hose. In most cases it's located under the hood and covered with a green top screwed on.

 

Good Luck!

Erik Gonzalez

 

EEE Auto Repair in Tracy

24/7 Roadside Assistance & Towing in Tracy