Smoke Testing

XL12 · 05-02-2013 12:04PM #1

I need to get a smoke test done to try and find where my car is leaking boost, I think some of the air pipes has a pin hole.

Can anyone recommend a garage that does this test. I live in Galway but will travel anywhere to get it done.

Thanks.

George Dalton · 05-02-2013 12:22PM

We can do it in Co Laois but I am sure you will find someone closer to you that can do it. Try Fahy's Garage in Oranmore, I'd say there is a good chance they will be able to help you out.

dahamsta · 05-02-2013 01:35PM

Any indies doing this in Cork? I've had several hoses replaced but I'm still convinced I'm down on power.

biko · 05-02-2013 01:40PM

In Galway you can get it done for 20/25 in www.renmoremotors.ie
I had it done once there when I was fixing an emissions issue.

I won't vouch for their exhaust-ive (pun!) knowledge but they have the equipment...

George Dalton · 05-02-2013 01:59PM

dahamsta wrote: »

Any indies doing this in Cork? I've had several hoses replaced but I'm still convinced I'm down on power.

I think Ardfallen Motors have a smoke machine.

SouperComputer · 06-02-2013 05:02AM

You can buy a kit and apply compressed air too. For 20/25 though, jesus I'd nearly take it in myself!

dieselbug · 06-02-2013 12:24PM

While the Smoke Pro is an excellent machine, it does have its limits. It wont always find a leak on the boost side due to not generating enough pressure.

George Dalton · 06-02-2013 01:23PM

dieselbug wrote: »

While the Smoke Pro is an excellent machine, it does have its limits. It wont always find a leak on the boost side due to not generating enough pressure.

Have you got a Smoke Pro or have you got much experience of using one?

In my experience it is only in very isolated cases where it will not find a boost leak, 99% of the time it will show up even small boost leaks.

12barblues · 06-02-2013 01:29PM

Fahy's garage in Oranmore do smoke tests. I got one done recently

dieselbug · 06-02-2013 10:25PM

George Dalton wrote: »

Have you got a Smoke Pro or have you got much experience of using one?

In my experience it is only in very isolated cases where it will not find a boost leak, 99% of the time it will show up even small boost leaks.

I do have a Smoke Pro and as I said earlier, it's an excellent tool for finding leaks.
But on boost leaks it can throw you. It wont create the same pressure as a turbo, just a fraction at around 1psi, fixed, not adjustable. Some leaks may seal at low pressure and then leak at higher boost pressures.

No question, a great tool, but on testing boost leaks it needs to be compared to a realistic scenario.

The Pontiac · 06-02-2013 10:30PM

Would that Dipetane stuff still work if you had a leak? Obviously you'd only be fooling yourself and hiding the fault.

Also, would a faulty thermostat (suck open) cause a car to fail the smoke test on a diesel? 3.750/m with limit of 3.00/m

George Dalton · 06-02-2013 10:46PM

The Pontiac wrote: »

Would that Dipetane stuff still work if you had a leak? Obviously you'd only be fooling yourself and hiding the fault.

Also, would a faulty thermostat (suck open) cause a car to fail the smoke test on a diesel? 3.750/m with limit of 3.00/m

Smoke test in this context doesn't mean an emissions test as per NCT etc, it is an intake system leak test using a machine which fills the system with smoke so that any leaks can be easily detected.

Have a look at the link below for more info:

http://redlinedetection.com/products/smoke-pro-total-tech

The Pontiac · 06-02-2013 10:56PM

George Dalton wrote: »

Smoke test in this context doesn't mean an emissions test as per NCT etc, it is an intake system leak test using a machine which fills the system with smoke so that any leaks can be easily detected.

Have a look at the link below for more info:

http://redlinedetection.com/products/smoke-pro-total-tech

Understand now after reading the link, not the NCT smoke test thing at all. The Redline looks like a good system for finding leaks etc..

Any thoughts on a faulty stat failing a NCT smoke test (stuck open) on a diesel? Over by the limit by only .750

George Dalton · 06-02-2013 11:00PM

What was the oil temperature at the time of the test (should be on the report sheet)

What make/model/year/engine?

The Pontiac · 06-02-2013 11:04PM

George Dalton wrote: »

What was the oil temperature at the time of the test (should be on the report sheet)

What make/model/year/engine?

2005 Saab 1.9tid 16v

Smoke 3.750/m
Engine/Oil Temperture 102 C
Limit (Turbo) 3.00/m

Cheers

George Dalton · 06-02-2013 11:08PM

It is fully up to temperature despite the thermostat being stuck.

However, driving around with the thermostat stuck open could be contributing to the problem as the car will be over-fuelling all the time, replace the 'stat, add some dipetane or similar and give it an 'Italian tune-up' and there is a good chance it will pass.

The Pontiac · 06-02-2013 11:11PM

George Dalton wrote: »

It is fully up to temperature despite the thermostat being stuck.

However, driving around with the thermostat stuck open could be contributing to the problem as the car will be over-fuelling all the time, replace the 'stat, add some dipetane or similar and give it an 'Italian tune-up' and there is a good chance it will pass.

Cheers George. Cleaned EGR valve, new oil and filter, and new thermostat fitted. Bought 5L of Dipetane too. And the Italian tune-up of course.

Retest this Saturday, so hopefully will pass.

enumbers · 07-02-2013 12:21AM

We have the blue point machine pretty much the same as the smoke pro and its a total gift on intake leaks

The Pontiac · 09-02-2013 11:21PM

George Dalton wrote: »

It is fully up to temperature despite the thermostat being stuck.

However, driving around with the thermostat stuck open could be contributing to the problem as the car will be over-fuelling all the time, replace the 'stat, add some dipetane or similar and give it an 'Italian tune-up' and there is a good chance it will pass.

It passed.

Smoke 2.340/m

Engine /Oil Temperture 89 C

Limit (Turbo) 3.00/m

Smoke Testing

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