Smoke Machine

[ephotrod]

There has been more and more work coming in requiring a smoke machine. We have been looking into them and everyone we have spoken to says the industry standard is redline smoke pro (best bang for the buck and functions well). I'm asking those out there who have a smoke machine to give me your experience and which make and model is best in your opinion.
Josh

 

[MG44]

I just bought a SnapOn EELD100A. You'll have to check the website but I think the MSRP on it is around $1300 and my driver offered it to me for around $1100. A few hundred more then what the Redline goes for.

I talked to a few local shops with the Redline, they all said it needs rebuilt after a few years and is around $150 or so. The SnapOn comes in a nice box you can keep all the accessories with. It has the universal smoke wand, an adapter to screw onto the common EVAP ports so you don't have to remove the valve, a bunch of "hose plugs" to connect at the air cleaner, a real nice black light & UV glasses.

I just used it myself in the past two days to find a leaky EVAP Vent Solenoid (clicked, but smoke still leaked through) on a KIA Optima, found a bad Vac. Line and a little leak on the intake manifold of a Sante Fe.

Downfalls is its kind of heavy. The most expensive SnapOn (around $2500) has more smoke control options and has a remote so you can start the machine when you are under the car. It would probably be helpful if the car is up in the air. Most of us here at the shop just raise the car up a foot or two off the ground and roll around on a creeper when looking for EVAP leaks.

Other bonus was my driver put it on Truck Credit. I paid $300 down and its $100 a month until we pay it off. We charge $80 to do a smoke test so it will be paid down in no time.

 

[Super Mech]

I've got an older Snap on with the remote smoke switch. Bought it new maybe 7 or more years ago. It was very expensive at the time( maybe close to 3 grand?). It has pretty much paid for itself over and over. Repaired countless EVAP and engine vacuum leaks. Downside is that it is bulky and heavy. You have to have a tank of nitrogen to safely smoke EVAP systems.

 

[GTA Matt]

Shop has had the redline for at least 5-6 years. I use it daily, not a single problem with it. You have to be a little cautious with the baby oil smoke machines because extended use will deposit some residue in the system. I've never seen it be an issue, just something to be watchful for. Its small size and ability to use shop air make it pretty versatile. Right around $800 on tool topia. There's also another one that runs on nitrogen or shop air, with its own special fluid for about $875. Its a Vacutec VCTEELD601. I'm looking to get one for my home shop in the near future and will most likely get one of those two.

 

[Haveblue]

We got the Bosch smt 300 about a year ago. VERY handy machine! Quick and very portable!

 

[MG44]

Why do you believe you need nitrogen to safely smoke an evap system supermec?

For almost 6 years I only used only a blow gun, compressed air, a fuel pressure gauge that measures up to 10psi and a bottle of soapy water. I would tee the fuel pressure gauge off to an evap service, spray canister, vent valve, lines, fittings with water and then with the blow gun id put in 2-3 psi of air and pinch off the hose before my gun. If it held it was a tight system, if it didn't hold I would search for the air bubbles.

I only went to a smoke setup when I started having employees. My first machine was a blue cornwell, an older large cart snapon machine that i bought used. It stopped producing smoke and was confined to a cart with a tank and took up a lot of floor space.

 

[blown94conv]

I wouldn't add compressed air into a fuel system. Inert gas or nothing. Probably being a little paronoid, but I get that way around fuel.

 

[Mustang51js]

Whatever you get just make sure you clean it really good after each use

 

[MG44]

I wouldn't add compressed air into a fuel system. Inert gas or nothing. Probably being a little paronoid, but I get that way around fuel.

Understandable to be paranoid. Old timer taught me how to find evap leaks back in the 90s when the machines were over $5k, outside of dealerships most shops didn't have one. It's the way it was done and I used the method until I hired employees. I didn't want somebody straight out of tech school with minim hands on pumping anything into any tank so I bought my first evap machine.

 

[bcradio]

I would love to have a smoke setup... Just can't afford it.

 

[Skin]

I've had my hands on a vacutec a few times. It does the job, never has a problem.

 

[92integra]

Anyone had luck with a home brewed smoke machine? Like buy a smoke machine from party city then hook up an t fitting setup with a pressure regulator and run 2 or 3 psi of shop air into it?

 

[zoomzoomjeff]

Anyone had luck with a home brewed smoke machine? Like buy a smoke machine from party city then hook up an t fitting setup with a pressure regulator and run 2 or 3 psi of shop air into it?

NOW we're talkin'. DIY smoke machine. I desperately need one for both vehicles we have right now but can't justify the cost. So I'll have to resort to paying someone to do it.

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

Anyone had luck with a home brewed smoke machine? Like buy a smoke machine from party city then hook up an t fitting setup with a pressure regulator and run 2 or 3 psi of shop air into it?

NOW we're talkin'. DIY smoke machine. I desperately need one for both vehicles we have right now but can't justify the cost. So I'll have to resort to paying someone to do it.

Still use it to this day; works great.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91216

 

[gungatim]

There's a thread on here somewhere on how to make your own smoke machine using a halloween smoke machine from the local wmart. I picked one up at a yard sale but never got around to making one, but for those that don't want to spend much, I believe it was just a brass fitting and some tubing added to the output for around $5 + whatever find a used machine for. new ones are $30-$60 at party city.

 

[Carla]

Please forgive my ignorance, but what does one do with a 'smoke machine'?

Granted, I'm way 'out of date' or 'obsolete' in the motor trade, but the only smoke I've ever had to worry about was that to be found in Lucas wiring.....and the idea was to keep the smoke from exiting the wiring.

cheers

Carla

 

[gdqcachter]

I use it daily, not a single problem with it. You have to be a little cautious with the baby oil smoke machines because extended use will deposit some residue in the system.

 

[Super Mech]

Why do you believe you need nitrogen to safely smoke an evap system supermec?

For almost 6 years I only used only a blow gun, compressed air, a fuel pressure gauge that measures up to 10psi and a bottle of soapy water. I would tee the fuel pressure gauge off to an evap service, spray canister, vent valve, lines, fittings with water and then with the blow gun id put in 2-3 psi of air and pinch off the hose before my gun. If it held it was a tight system, if it didn't hold I would search for the air bubbles.

I only went to a smoke setup when I started having employees. My first machine was a blue cornwell, an older large cart snapon machine that i bought used. It stopped producing smoke and was confined to a cart with a tank and took up a lot of floor space.

It only takes 11% of oxygen in fuel vapor system to support combustion! Using ambient air, which contains 21% oxygen is extremely risky since that is twice the needed oxygen content. The safest way is to use a non-combustible gas such as nitrogen.