BEST automotive smoke machine you can build

An automotive smoke machine is one of the most useful diagnostic tools you can have but they are expensive. I built a cheap one using a recycled glass jar (to show how much smoke is building up inside it) and a couple other basic items (see links below). This combination allowed me to have complete control over how much pressure I use and when I apply the smoke.
Amazon links to make a cheap smoke machine like mine:
soldering iron: amzn.to/38CGLEG
bicycle pump: amzn.to/2OwhZOH
mineral oil: amzn.to/2S0ydl8
SUPPORT MY CHANNEL FOR "FREE" - visit amazon through this link (or ANY link on my channel)
** amzn.to/2SLOzgI **
and I'll get a small percent of whatever you buy from them. Costs you nothing. Thanks guys!
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[@adammeyers3579]

Brilliant idea! Modifying your plans slightly, I built mine in in an hour and found a vacuum leak in 90 seconds. The bike pump allowed for controlled smoke distribution. This really is the BEST automotive smoke machine you can build! Thank you!

[@vza423]

This is the first time I've been excited about my EVAP codes. Thank you ECG and the hands that did the work. Subscribed based on this alone.

[@NFSSAM]

Thank you so much for posting this, the soldering iron is genius!

[@dondelacuesta4999]

So far this video is the most practical and economical machine on youtube. Smart thing to do.

[@rd95stang]

@I SURVIVED WWIII with IRAN lmao 😂

[@benzw2505]

You seen them videos of the kid modifying grinders too.

[@samanthabailey2091]

Ŕ 7

[@samanthabailey2091]

L

[@weaton25]

Love it other people on here have been saying that you need compressed air to do it but this idea of using a bike pump has been going through my mind for some time and using an old soldering iron for the heat is spot on all I need now is a glass gar and I am on my way.

[@faw3511]

Superb. I made it even simpler, using the screws in the soldering iron handle to screw it to the jar top, and then attached an inflation needle to the bicycle pump hose and stuck it through a small hole in the top. The wick is just a small cotton strip tied to the heating end of the soldering iron and dipped in mineral oil, very serviceable for single use. The smoke generator quickly found a big vacuum leak the first time I used it. Thanks again.

[@HeyLanny]

Excellent. Have watch several videos on making one at home. E bay sells several paint can ones for almost 80 dollars that does not produce this much smoke. Great Job and thanks immensely. Big Thumbs Up on clarity, camera and construction.

[@MrWadsox]

This is genius! Thank you so much. My car has been sitting in the shop for 3 months because the shop owner was too cheap to invest in a smoke machine. Now I can tow it out of there and do It myself. Thanks again.

[@jacobmarley2417]

As someone who considers myself a resourceful person in all aspects of life , I greatly appreciate this build!

[@VitorMadeira]

+1

[@gilsan769]

Damn!!! Talk abt saving money and time, building my own smoke machine...THANKS BRO!!!

[@duca5563]

Built this machine recently, i didn't expect much but oh my, i am IMPRESSED at how well it worked, i've found turbo vacuum leak in 5min!

[@mountainman4410]

Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks so much for sharing this!

[@carlosarmero594]

Thank you for taking the time to out of your busy schedule to share this with us.

[@kennethbrady9832]

Unbelievable!?!? What a project!?!? One smart dude

[@VW5767]

Thanks for this video! I had one working in about 15 minutes. Works great!!

[@tedwilliams8879]

If you take the $1000 smoke machine apart, you'll find a soldering iron, a bic pen, an old sock...

[@shanec4441]

Ted Williams 😂

[@tbarber1027]

ROFLMAO! :-)

[@shmeehoe37]

Yup

[@tono002]

lol

[@jcortes3930]

Jesus Christ 😂😂😂

[@thegatekeeper715]

I have seen this type of smoke machine previously but never with such a good explanation of how to build and use it. Thank you !!!

[@jluminado787]

my god you're a genius

[@stevedambrosia1617]

My vapor canister vent is buried behind and below fire wall (under battery tray). without your smoke machine I would never have been able to detect this leak!!! Thanx a ton "Code Guy."

[@kensmithmail]

This is the best DIY. smoke machine I have seen on KZbin, I hade thought of doing something with a soldering iron and this method is what I was looking for, very well done and thank you.

[@DumbCarGuy]

You probably didn't realize this but you just invented smoked pickles as well.

[@kratos9174]

There are other on the tube, but your is the most detailed, and going straight to the point

[@rs-zl7re]

Excellent. Very clear step by step instruction. Good job.

[@toolinhand]

You gave the best instructions to make a smoke machine that I've found online. Thanks!

[@joeabs4844]

Genius idea and simple. Thank you for sharing

[@Hutchy45445]

Great idea! Especially when you require controlled pressure. 👍

[@buzzardbait4981]

Great idea can build with things have laying around was going to buy one but you changed my mind thank you. The only change I'm going to do is use a aquarium pump for input air so that I can be hands free.

[@hondaslave-kd6hi]

Nice idea

[@rodm5830]

Awesome video bro. Simplest, cheapest most effective one I've seen so far.

[@dangerdoberman]

I already had all this stuff lying around the house! WOW!

[@huazhu]

i often got smoking when cooking but before this video i got no idea. this is the best car equipment,thumb!

[@bobpalmer4740]

so i made one but have not tested it on a car yet but so far it looks like it will do the job. i connected it to my compressor that has a regulator on it and i can control the air down to nothing. thanks a bunch for sharing this tip.

[@HILLBILLYinHELL]

WOW! What a great video not only did I save this for late I subscribed to your channel! I love being able to create my own stuff like what you did hear and your right the smoke your machine creates is a lot more than a standard smoke machine. I look forward to building this and using it I will let you know how it goes but thanks again for sharing this great idea!

[@tono002]

I have all of the items and ingredients in my garage, I will build it right away thanks for sharing very well described.

[@94jimmy5]

Very simple clever tool. I will gather parts to build one. It will come in handy. Thanks!!!

[@nicojamanika2843]

My friend, you're amazing, great job. God bless you.

[@doyleredwine1683]

Thanks so much for posting this. I have a vacuum leak that is avoiding discovery at all costs and this should be the ticket. thumbs up bro

[@amanwithhiscigaretteandcof3474]

THANK YOU.... cheers from Indonesia

[@zachhaidek5591]

Simple and excellent. Thank you for sharing this

[@georgecurtis6463]

Bought a machine in the 90s. Man did that thing pay for itself quickly. Buy one or make one but get one if you do any mechanical and other things requiring finding leaks. Even used mine to find leaks in a a/c system several times.

[@rameshgaglani7801]

simplicity in life is best thing. thanks

[@dmgsky5592]

Just made mine... worked well, found my vac leak... not happy about where the leak is BUT am still smiling that I found it! Thanks

[@CharlesMartel676]

DUDE! You're a genius!!! Thank you for sharing!

[@elcodude621]

I built this same machine but just a little different... Works fantastic... Thank you.... I used a metal stem from a car wheel- and a barbed stem from an air line fitting. Cost me 9 bucks and I still have the pickles from the pickle jar. L.O.L.

[@tweedjohnny8740]

Absolutely genius.

[@kevinwright2695]

That was amazing!! Can't wait to make mine!! Thanks for sharing!!!!!

[@thehoff3189]

This guy is the real MVP right here 💯

[@JosePDiaz-it2te]

Wow and I have to pay over $100 so that I can get my mechanic to do a smoke test for my vehicle you are a genius thank you so much for the wonderful idea thank God for that blessing idea that you have

[@dynodom4677]

Absolutely BRILLIANT !!!!

[@mafosa8519]

Excellent!! On my “to do list!”

[@stx38]

Kudos !!!!!! Great, practical design and great instructional video.

[@videosenutube]

Already working on mine,thanks.

[@nathanmayo7101]

As dentist of 52 years I have been practicing " rigology" all that time to solve problems You're a genius........and a cheap one. Thanks, buddy...........

[@train4905]

Absolutely brilliant.by far the best video on youtube.thankyou for posting . Steve from the uk

[@juansanchez-os6ul]

definitely this is an awesome and helpful video, you win a thums up, this video should must be at the top, congrats

[@ashtonharvey5723]

You saved me hundreds and a major migraine lol. Thank you. I just made one. Waiting for the epoxy to dry now 24hrs I gotta wait. I used the same epoxy since I had some already as well

[@watcherwatchmen7785]

Finally found a good use for my cheap soldering iron. If you find one of those foot operated bicycle pumps that would work even better because you could step on it with your foot and pump while you lean over with both hands and look for leaks.

[@bobpalmer4740]

so i made one of these a month ago and today i tested it and it worked like a champ. the top get hot and i used an aquarium 12 volt dc pump from ebay but then switched to my compressor. but i think the dc pump would have worked as i had it connected to the car and there was a schrader valve in the way i did not see at first. but thanks for your easy to make machine. it did the job perfect. i did not use the bic pen i got some fitting from lowes and some clear tubing 4 sizes so i had enough to make connections to the car. great job

[@errorcodeguy456]

Thanks for the feedback on how the smoke machine worked out for you. I like the idea of an aquarium pump. Did it seem to give enough air volume into the system to find the leak? How hot did the top of the lid to get, Did It start melting the vinyl tube? The soldering iron that I worked with had a plastic handle that I was able to make sure it did not touch the metal lid. Do you think the Soldering iron was too close to the metal lid? Thanks again for your comments.

[@theASEtech]

This is it I won't keep looking is very ease to make it and you can make as many as you want if they break Thank you

[@mcfriedchicken1972]

I just made one! Instead of using a bic pen I bought Vacuum connectors from Amazon for about $10 (assorted vacuum connectors, 65 pieces). I then drilled and glued two 1/4 vacuum connectors onto the jar lid. Theyre a perfect fit for my vinyl tubing and bike pump. I can also connect the other half of vinyl tubing to the connector instead of the bike pump and blow into it :)

[@tomjohnston9794]

absolutely brilliant..i am building mine today!!

[@aliceeaton6888]

Wow thank you i reckoned the home built do it yourself style way to find an evap leak on my 06 chev silverado but this was a huge help thank you! You just got yourself another subscriber.I seen some other interesting thumb nails im exited to watch. You know I've been working on cars and trucks for 34 years and i always keep learning new stuff mostly through reading books/manuals and now recently on internet.I live in a rural area where there's not alot of people around or available to ask or work with so this is a real blessing for me.Thanks again.

[@benjaminlecarguy2363]

That is great thank you I was looking for ideas for my project 450sl

[@classic287]

That is great. I like that better than any other on youtube. So simple and effective...

[@markfreeland1027]

Brilliantly Resourcefull!!!

[@tnfloose9023]

Wow a diy smoke machine that I actually have everything on hand. Awesome idea man

[@nicholas8479]

You earn the MacGyver Award for ingenuity. Great job.

[@marcpollard8792]

Thanks for sharing mate!

[@brianwick3826]

Thanks for this. Saved a bunch of time and money. Didn't work at first with a sock, thinking not 100% cotton but some polyester or ?. Cut an old 100% cotton t-shirt into a large section and worked fine. BTW.. mineral oil is baby oil without the fragrance. Super cheap at CVS, etc. Also, didn't work at first as packed the material around the iron too tightly, works best when loose for airflow. Also just blew into hose vs pump. But when it started going after :15 or so, it was awesome!

[@danielkenkama5701]

Big budget savings. Thanks for tips. 🖒

[@K3VN12]

love the enthusiasm

[@ezzathanna1]

you are genius, i followed your steps and it is prelliant, i got the leak. thanks

[@1markivor]

Nice easy and cheap to make!! Very Well done 👍

[@johnveroutsos]

Brilliant! Genius! Thanks for sharing!! Love it!!!!

[@JohnSmith-xx1lx]

The best Diy smoke machine i've seen 👍

[@yodamaster202]

You looked this really in detail very nicely thanks

[@lebronjordan802]

Impressive! This can be my future project! 👍!!!

[@gilbertodiaz-castro626]

The best I've seen, thanks for sharing.

[@BryanChance]

Thank you so much man!! I need to find a leak in my car. You are a genius.

[@chocolatetampon4492]

Ingenious! Thank you my friend

[@ferrabmw]

You are a genius!

[@dr.yahyaelewa1628]

Simplicity & Effectiveness Viola.. honoring an OSCAR to you Sir. You are talented and highly skilled. All HATS LIFT UP for you Sir. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@ashtonharvey5723]

Dude your a life saver

[@azzamhaq9556]

Excellent Clip. Very inexpensive for do it yourself guy. Thank you very much.

[@islam_peace786]

Mind blowing, good work. Thank you.

[@train4905]

Absolutely brilliant build sir.thanku so much indeed for posting,steve from the uk.

[@christopherdudley1585]

Thanks for the how-to. I'll use your product referals. I recommend linking the epoxy and tubing as well.

[@mitchellwright549]

Thanks for the instructions.

[@jcesparza7490]

Thanks. will be doing this today.

[@jorregoHD]

Brilliant! thank you! Now to determine where the evap leak on my pacifica...

[@eddiebarrera469]

Best affordable diy machine on youtube.

[@handerson3202]

Thanks for the video, great idea.

[@kinglangren]

Thanks great idea I’ll make one tomorrow.

[@MrBobbyw121]

You are a magician!

[@igorbureski1986]

Thanks for sharing your idea !!!

[@godsaveamerica616]

Excellent video, Thank you 👍

[@stevehei8035]

So simple! Thanks for Posting

[@marinabalderas4417]

YOU RULE. THANK YOU. ❤️

[@SRZRB]

Outstanding video. Thank you.

[@booneautomotive4174]

Very good vid, thanks for sharing your knowledge and I can't wait to make one myself.

[@jgal1231]

Nirvana .... thanks much .... fast cheap and works great ....