Finding a leak in car (smoke pellets)

BohsCeltic

Has anyone ever used them for this method or something similar that won't do any damage to the car or myself ?

My car windows steam up pretty bad and after using silica gel i'd prefer to actually fix the problem rather than mask it.

There is no real damp parts of the car except the boot which i am going to test by climbing in and getting someone to leave a hose over it so i can pinpoint where the water is getting in.

I think the door seals are worn so was looking at a cheap method to confirm this .

Special Circumstances

Put some talc powder on seals and see what gets washed away? Never tried it but have heard it suggested before.

Atlantic Dawn

I presume you have already tried changing the pollen filter?

tossy

What kind of car is it?

You would be surprised how and where water will get in it won't always be obvious even when someone is spraying it with a hose, the amount of water getting in could be very small but will build up over time. Even if you fix the source of the leak you will need a dehumidifier to remove all the moisture in the car.

Tails142

The smoke pellets that you light on fire leave a residue of dust/discoloration behind, wouldn't recommend using them inside a car.

BohsCeltic

tossy wrote: »

What kind of car is it?

You would be surprised how and where water will get in it won't always be obvious even when someone is spraying it with a hose, the amount of water getting in could be very small but will build up over time. Even if you fix the source of the leak you will need a dehumidifier to remove all the moisture in the car.

It's an old ford cougar.
Ye I know I'll need a dehumidifier, handy for the house aswell.
It seems to be a common problem in these cars.
I'm going to try and repair seals if the weather is anyway half decent and also change the pollen filter

BohsCeltic

Tails142 wrote: »

The smoke pellets that you light on fire leave a residue of dust/discoloration behind, wouldn't recommend using them inside a car.

I was half thinking of that, next step is to find a dj with dry ice

A leak/hole would presumably be colder than other parts of the car. Would getting/borrowing a temperature detection gun be an idea?

colm_mcm

Does the car have a sunroof
Given that these have frameless doors, door seals are likely to be leaky.

Mark74

you could close the door on a length of paper...trapping the paper on the seal. then try and pull the paper back out. at some point along the boot door maybe you'll notice it slides very freely.
............at least when Derek Davis demonstrated it on live at 3 or whatever many years ago it looked like it worked....

mondeoman2

BohsCeltic wrote: »

It's an old ford cougar.
Ye I know I'll need a dehumidifier, handy for the house aswell.
It seems to be a common problem in these cars.
I'm going to try and repair seals if the weather is anyway half decent and also change the pollen filter

Nearly every Ford i have owned has leaked in the boot.
Mostly it was the rear light clusters causing the leak,but also the air vents in the boot can leak aswell,

shaywest

turn on the heater fan full blast and run very soapy water over the car .you should see bubbles where the leaks are

Atlantic Dawn

So you have changed the pollen filter already?

Car99

Rent a smoke machine for an hour

livingthedream

As Carr99 suggests, try and get your hands on a smoke machine.

I think I saw lidl selling them in the past around halloween! Failing that I guess some party shops might sell/rent them....

See Mr Ed Chinas use of one here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGirjqyrMcY

~LTD

BohsCeltic

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

So you have changed the pollen filter already?

Yes, i change it every year but still have the same issue.
It's worse in winter as the condensation freezes on the windscreen.
Going to invest in a dehumidifier next week.

livingthedream wrote: »

As Carr99 suggests, try and get your hands on a smoke machine.

I think I saw lidl selling them in the past around halloween! Failing that I guess some party shops might sell/rent them....

See Mr Ed Chinas use of one here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGirjqyrMcY

~LTD

That's where i got the idea of using one watching wheeler dealers

Have today off work so when the weather improves (hopefully) i'm going to remove the door seals and pack up any part that looks worn.

livingthedream

http://cpcireland.farnell.com/lanta/nebula-smoke-400-v2/400w-fog-machine/dp/DP34193

Muckie

Had a similar issue where when water got into the boot.

Car foggy up everytime i went for a drive.

Cheap fix was purchased a few moisture traps from Dealz.

Took about 3, but car is now bone dry, good luck.

Vegeta

I've heard cat litter in a sock in the rear foot well is good to absorb moisture from a car too. Never tried it myself though

corks finest

Muckie wrote: »

Had a similar issue where when water got into the boot.

Car foggy up everytime i went for a drive.

Cheap fix was purchased a few moisture traps from Dealz.

Took about 3, but car is now bone dry, good luck.

Good idea