Ancel S300 Leak Detector Review (Automotive Smoke Machine, EVAP Tester)

[@chuck7432]

The instructions clearly state to use Baby oil with pink label. Thanks for the video 😊

[@AlexAutoFun]

You're welcome!

[@mikemasso9530]

A quick note on these Chinese evap testers. They put out way to much pressure for evap testing. The maximum pressure for the evap system is .5 psi or around 13.0 in. H20. The Ancel S300 is putting aut around 14 psi, Anything over 7 psi can damage pressure sensors and or blow off hoses. 14 psi is OK for intake and exhaust testing but way to high for evap.

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi Mike! I wouldn't generalize high pressure with Chinese EVAP testers. Most, if not all, smoke machines can output more than 10 psi, which is normally way more than needed for leak testing. I would categorize that leak testers without a pressure regulator, require the technician to only pressurize the system to the PSI required and then turn off the machine (the check valve will hold the pressure displayed on the pressure gage). But a similar caution applies to smoke machines with a pressure regulator. The technician must know how to use the leak tester pressure regulator (and pressure gage) and set it to the correct PSI before testing. The convenience of leak testers with pressure regulators is that they can be left on and will only reach the PSI level the tech desires. Also remember the actual pressure needed varies from car to car, the EVAP on my older Dodge for example will support a max of 2.5 psi before the release valve opens to vent the excess pressure (but to your point I usually only use about 1psi for testing). So I would strongly recommend to use the service manual to determine the maximum pressure setting recommended for the system under test. And here is another leak tester with a pressure regulator if you want the extra convenience it provides kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqm7p4R9j7yjitU Cheers!

[@rcpredator5986]

Great video better mustache keep up the good work

[@AlexAutoFun]

Thanks man!

[@royevans4581]

Great video. I have a Focus mk2 ST and this machine will come in very handy. Thanks.

[@AlexAutoFun]

You're welcome Roy (and cool car btw, I always wanted an ST or RS) Cheers!

[@sharpe238]

Awesome video, this will help diagnose my 02 mustang gt. Thank you.

[@AlexAutoFun]

You're welcome and thanks Bud!

[@martinnikolov2]

It works great, I recommend it.

[@emanuelbadger5045]

Thank you, my friend!

[@AlexAutoFun]

You're welcome Emanuel!

[@Ray-uc8ij]

Pretty useful looking tool.

[@AlexAutoFun]

Most definitely, Cheers Ray!

[@max_alicante]

After watching your test videos of the Ancel s300 and the Vxscan V4 which one would you recommend for intake/turbo testing? The S300 costs half the money but I see that the airflow is 5 times less than the Vxscan and I'm concerned that it's low flow. Thank you very much for your videos

[@AlexAutoFun]

You're welcome Max! Ah it depends on how much air you need. The service manual should tell you how much is needed, normally I only use about 1 PSI to be safe but it's always best to go by the service manuall spec (specially because most leak detectors including the V4 and S300 can exceed the amount of air that is normally required and if the tech is not careful, excess air can blow things off or damage components). Cheers!

[@Mastersaifer]

Would this type of smoke machine be useful for leak testing a dry van trailer? I know the sheer volume of air is exponentially larger, but we're looking for something at our shop that's a bit more consistent than smoke bombs.

[@CarputingYT]

Bro your mustache is awesome, also great video

[@AlexAutoFun]

Thanks Carputing!

[@miguelsalazar3239]

Very informative.

[@AlexAutoFun]

Thanks Miguel!

[@DailyClipztt]

Can I adjust how much pressure I want in the system to pressure with?

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi D! Ah if you need adjustable pressure, then here is a good alternative kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqm7p4R9j7yjitU Cheers!

[@coreychillis9754]

Do you use a battery to test from the exhaust system?!

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi C! Yes, as shown in the video, the smoke machine can be connected to a vehicle's battery to power it. Cheers!

[@karachioilchange]

How much of maximum PSI we can go for intake or exhaust leak ? for engines as small as 660 cc.

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi K! I would recommend to use the service manual to determine the maximum pressure setting recommended for the system to tested. Cheers!

[@karachioilchange]

@@AlexAutoFun thanks

[@AlexAutoFun]

@@karachioilchange You're welcome!

[@chrisisho2557]

Normal smoke comes out from Dipstick when pull it off ?

[@NoName-lz8df]

That’s piston ring blow by some is ok

[@hvactech77]

Which smoke tester machine produces the most PSI? Anyone?

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi H! Most, if not all, smoke machines can output more than 10 psi, which is normally way more than needed for leak testing (remember high PSI can actually do more damage than good when testing). The actual pressure needed varies from car to car, the EVAP on my older Dodge for example will support a max of 2.5 psi before the release valve opens to vent the excess pressure (but again I usually only use about 1psi for testing). So I would strongly recommend to use the service manual to determine the maximum pressure setting recommended for the system under test. And here is another leak tester with a pressure regulator if you need independent PSI control kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqm7p4R9j7yjitU Cheers!

[@hvactech77]

Thx for fast reply. Do any of these have 120volt plugs for power and do 14psi?

[@AlexAutoFun]

You're welcome! Ah this are automotive smoke machines so they operate at standard 12V. What you are looking for maybe more of an industrial smoke machine. Cheers!

[@375tommyg]

Does the smoke leave a residue?

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi 375! Not that I can feel, but then again I'm normally not touching the inside of the engine that is subjected to the smoke. If you touch the machine where the smoke comes out, a very light oil feeling can be felt, and I'm sure that with some level of magnification some deposit of the oil used to make the smoke would be found. There are alternatives out there if you prefer to not use standard mineral oil, like UV dye solution amzn.to/3J23bmR or Pro Smoke fluid amzn.to/3PLgA6C and OTC UltraTraceUV Dye Smoke Solution (just keep in mind, the cost of this solutions are much higher that baby oil). Cheers!

[@375tommyg]

I want to find a leak in an aircraft fuel system by pressurizing the fuel tanks and applying smoke around the plane. Some of the testing would be done inside the cabin so I don't want to leave an oily residue on the seats and walls.

[@AlexAutoFun]

@@375tommyg Ah yes definitely I would not recommend using it on the interior of a vehicle or in your case the interior of an aircraft. Cheers!

[@375tommyg]

Is there another fluid that could be used?

[@AlexAutoFun]

@@375tommyg Not that I'm aware of (probably not since generating smoke requires burning something and burning almost always leaves some type of residue behind). There may be some other machine or fluid for aircraft use or maybe this type of test is not for aircraft (aerospace typically is a much more stringent field to work on due to the criticality of the craft). I would recommend checking with your aircraft manufacturer or service center, they may be able to point you in the right direction. Cheers!