used to chase vacuum leaks with starter fluid now I use a smoke machine

I spent like 4 hours last week spraying starter fluid around the intake on a 2002 Ford Focus trying to find a vacuum leak. My buddy Dave brought over his smoke machine from the shop and we had it pinpointed in under 10 minutes. The leak was at a cracked PCV hose behind the intake manifold I never would have found otherwise. Anyone else finally break down and buy a smoke machine or still doing it the old school way?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_jake1mo ago

Used to clown on the smoke machine guys, figured it was just a fancy way to waste money. Then I watched my buddy find that same PCV leak in like two minutes flat after I'd been cussing at my Ford for hours. Changed my whole outlook on diagnostic tools, that's for sure.

jade5171mo agoMost Upvoted

Guess my wallet's been smoking for years without telling me the truth.