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DIY Smoke Machine? #

Posted by Colin Hedger on June 12, 2011, 5:28 pm

Year of Manufacture *: 2011

I've been thinking about using a smoke machine for tricky emissions problems, but i cant justify upwards of £500 for something i would only use twice a year.
My thought is why not use a smoke machine that is designed for discos ,available from aroud £30?
Apart from the fact i would have to stop my hips swivelling and my feet tapping whilst using it, the only disadvantage i can think of is connections and controllability.
Anyone else tried/thought about this?

Cheers

Colin.

Re: DIY Smoke Machine?

Posted by Liam Hall <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=ukat3033' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 12, 2011, 7:06 pm, in reply to "DIY Smoke Machine?"
Liam Hall

I have just bought a smoke pro total tech.
I've used it twice already and can see it will pay dividends having it in my tool 'arsenal'.
There is no quicker way to find air and intake leaks etc.

If you can afford it but are struggling for justification, take my advice - buy one. you wont look back!

Just my ten penneth.

Liam.

Re: DIY Smoke Machine?

Posted by Shaun Dale <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=UKAT2719' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 12, 2011, 8:39 pm, in reply to "Re: DIY Smoke Machine?"

Hi Colin,
Try this thread:-
Thread in fixed and gone.
In my opinion a disco type smoke machine makes far to much smoke. you only need a very small flow of smoke. Will try to find a moment to take a picture of how much mine makes and post it tomorrow. I set mine to make too much first and had to turn it down, I have an even lower setting for long run times.
I had a day or so with no work and turned it into something very useful with practically zero outlay ( I think I had to buy the baby oil). Certainly it will be useful and if you've got a little more time than money then homemade can be a way forward.
If you decide to go homemade then feel free to call me or post for more info.
Shaun.

Re: DIY Smoke Machine?

Posted by george ambelas <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=ukat3245' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 12, 2011, 9:02 pm, in reply to "DIY Smoke Machine?"
George Ambelas

hi colin i thought of that as well but decided
against it becauce disco's smoke machine is based on water and it would't be suitable so not wanting to pay £700 for a smoke machine i started experimenting with different ideas and finaly made my own smoke machine which uses baby oil and gives a contineous thick smoke. i did this using bits and pieces from my workshop and i only had to buy a set of plugs and adaptors from one of the makers of smoke machines which cost me £40 maybe you can do something similar just use your imagination and technical know how
george

Re: DIY Smoke Machine?

Posted by Keith Brown on June 13, 2011, 12:49 pm, in reply to "Re: DIY Smoke Machine?"
Message modified by board administrator June 16, 2011, 3:58 pm

dont waste your valuable time,buy a smoke pro,had mine about a year,seems alot of money for something you think youre not going to use,however its gets used now most days,as u know the modern car has so many vac pipes & valves we cant possibly pick out a small leak without it,worth every penny,if your hourly rate is £40 a couple of hours a week wasted trying to find a small vac leak soon adds up!ps you have to have the machine turned well down to establish small leaks too much smoke is not good,dont think you could regulate a homemade properly,just my thoughts,keith.

Re: DIY Smoke Machine?

Posted by Mark Carter <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=UKAT1428' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 13, 2011, 7:45 pm, in reply to "Re: DIY Smoke Machine?"
Mark Carter

I will second that.

as Keith says, you will use it a lot more than you think and the time saving will pay for it.

Regards Mark

Modern cars, Its all wizardry and witchcraft

Re: DIY Smoke Machine?

Posted by Colin Hedger <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=UKAT1335' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 13, 2011, 9:37 pm, in reply to "Re: DIY Smoke Machine?"
Colin Hedger

Shaun,
I,d like to talk more!
How do i contact you?

Cheers

Colin

Re: DIY Smoke Machine?

Posted by Colin Hedger <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=UKAT1335' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 14, 2011, 8:38 am, in reply to "Re: DIY Smoke Machine?"
Colin Hedger

Shaun,
Do you have a contact number?

Colin.

Re: DIY Smoke Machine?

Posted by Sean Murphy <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=UKAT1788' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 17, 2011, 11:35 am, in reply to "Re: DIY Smoke Machine?"

I agree with most here - once you buy one you'll find you use it nearly every day! Since buying mine I dont know how i managed without one now....

In my opinion it also looks a bit more professional using a dedicated piece of equipment rather than a 'Heath Robinson'-cobbled together system when the customer is looking over your shoulder - especially when you are charging them for the test!

I prefer to show the customer the leak with the kit all connected up and then they are more confident with the diagnosis and happy to pay any test charge.

Re: DIY Smoke Machine?

Posted by Jon Morgan <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=ukat3190' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 17, 2011, 8:40 pm, in reply to "Re: DIY Smoke Machine?"
Jonathan Morgan

I'll 3rd Keith & Mark, buy one & you'll wonder how you managed without it.
Ours gets used regularly & has saved countless wasted hours finding all sorts of weird & wonderful faults.

It is as useful as a scanner - £600 is a bargain

Jon.

Re: DIY Smoke Machine?

Posted by Shaun Dale <iframe src='https://members4.boardhost.com/ukautotalk/info/user=UKAT2719' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 18, 2011, 8:31 pm, in reply to "Re: DIY Smoke Machine?"

I do agree, you will wonder how you managed without it. Just had a week and not used it once...this is a rare situation.
However I think my machine does not look much worse than a smoke pro. I really don't think a smoke pro looks like 600 quid, sorry.
As I say, If you've got money buy a smoke machine, If you've got spare time and no money, make one it's not hard and works just as well.
I do not allow customers to stay and wait in my workshop so they don't see what I use anyway.
Shaun

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