Smoking up the Shop! CAR WIZARD shows 3 essential advanced diagnostic tools he can't live with out!

Take your car repairing to the next level. The CAR WIZARD 🧙‍♂️ shows how essential a Smoke Machine, Amp Tester & Thermal Camera are when diagnosing car malfunctions.
🔮🔧 AMAZON AFFILIATE STORE: www.amazon.com... 🔧🔮
🇬🇧🇬🇧 UK AMAZON STORE: www.amazon.co.... 🇬🇧🇬🇧
🧰 BENDPAK LIFTS: www.bendpak.com 🧰
💻 OVERSTEER ARTICLES: www.autotrader... 💻
👕 CAR WIZARD MERCH: teespring.com/... 👕
📷 INSTAGRAM @therealcarwizard 📷

[@robertdeboer3304]

Favorite leak detector; I worked in a dealership back in 1981 fixing warranty transmission leaks. I was only paid flat rate to FIX leaks, but not to FIND the leaks. I would put car on the hoist, clean off the trans with solvent, pressure wash, dry it with air. I would then use anti-fungal foot powder spray cans like from the dollar store and "paint" powder around servos, accumulator, shift shaft, pan, etc. Quick test drive, then back on the hoist. any leaks show a very visible trail in the powder, even small porous casting flaws or cracks in the trans housing. I didn't have UV dye back then, and I only had one shot at finding ALL the leaks. I didn't get paid to pull the transmission, and fix it twice!

[@adambennett805]

Another tip for finding parasitic draw: use a thermal imaging camera to look at the fuse box for a hot fuse

[@wms201]

Can't you just use a multimeter at the fuse box?

[@adambennett805]

@@wms201 yeah but that's more laborious

[@alexm2623]

Sometimes that can work, but if it's not, you can't beat a Power Probe for speed on checking stuff like that.

[@dangerdavefreestyle]

imagine using it on the mustang that had the fan motor sucking too much juice.

[@CHixon]

Holding one in my hand as I write. Essential for comparing the exhaust and coolant temperatures between my left bank to the right bank on my Jaguar V12 5.3 Liter.

[@stephenadams5633]

Just a couple things wizard, one thank you for your service! Also, thanks for making these videos. I find it fascinating to see how you work on cars and do your troubleshooting. I’m just hobbyist mechanic myself, but I love that you share your tips and tricks!

[@travisnoftle6168]

Wizard, you’re the man for sharing all of this. I learn so much from this channel!

[@Broadshore]

Gezz Wizard.. We get it!! You Vape.. :P Anyways! The Smoke Machine is awesome to find those leaks in the cabin of the car.

[@digitalrailroader]

yup, you can look for faulty weatherstripping, out of alignment doors, leaking convertible tops, faulty HVAC doors, etc.

[@thebigpicture2032]

We called that hot boxing when I was a teenager.

[@taplin7616]

Great video. I’ve learned more from you than co-workers and bosses in shops from your videos , too bad that I didn’t have a guy like you as a boss years ago.

[@chipb1193]

The Amp Tester is nice because it connects to the fuses easily and works great in a professional shop but you can run the exact same test with a basic multimeter.

[@Syntappi]

Yes you can, but on modern cars unplugging a fuse and reconnecting it might wake up some modules so you get screwed with the result. With Amp hound there is no need to remove fuse so you can immediately tell which fuse is culprit for your amp draw.

[@samthenerf]

You can do exactly the same thing the Amp hound does with a good DMM, put it on millivolts and go across the fuse, this voltage drop can be translated into amperage with a chart, Power Probe has a nice one on their site. It seems like a nice product for doing things faster but you don't need it.

[@chipb1193]

Syntappi - Sam’s response above this one is what I was referencing. He sums it up nicely. No need to remove the fuses. Again, not a knock on the tool at all, or the Wizard. He’s awesome and it’s why I subscribe to his channel.

[@FishFind3000]

Sam yes, voltage drops on the fuse can be converted into amp draw.

[@luisgonzalez8423]

@@Syntappi you dont unplug fuses to test with multi meter

[@2LateIWon]

Fyi on the amp hound make sure the doors are shut and if you have a hood light take the bulb out while testing.

[@edwardmyers1746]

Yay its the navigator! 5.4 4V too! I'm such a fan of the old lincolns i love all of them from 98- 06 and this is definitely one of em. Cars in damn good condition for being old and cheap

[@joestewart5406]

Edward Myers they are ugly horrible cars whats wrong with you

[@sb859]

Thank you Mrs. Wizard for all the behind the scenes camera work and editing!

[@petergouldbourn2312]

I love your show Car Wizard and I love Mrs Wizard too. Even though I am quadriplegic and I’ll never do these jobs myself I just find the technical side of this show fascinating. Thanks for entertaining me. Pete 🇬🇧

[@JRBRestorations]

Excellent as usual. Being a DIY person, I have learned so much from your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@nigel.w]

Can also use smoke machine to diagnose where water maybe entering the interior from, such as, door seals not sealing or windscreen not fully sealed.

[@kennedy796]

Yes but honestly it would be easier to get someone to spray the car with a hose while you look for the leak

[@masmotorsports]

Thank you so much for making this, been wrenching for 15 years now im still learning.

[@voidhead78]

Love this info, wish the net was like this 30 years ago lol

[@98triffid]

30 years ago these tools didn't exist. Smoke machines were called cigarettes and there was no ODB2 standard

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

Great tips. Please keep them coming. What time of day, or day of the week, do you make these videos? You always manage to present a calm atmosphere with no phones ringing and no one else working in the background - which is a great background for making these videos. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@mcdonalbennett6805]

Love your channel. Also like your way of doing business. Particularly love that you actually diagnose problems. Proves you're a first rate mechanic and not just a parts pitcher. As a retired mechanic myself I appreciate your professionalism. Keep up the great work.

[@notkevinfinnerty4959]

What I've found also works well for vacuum/boost leaks is using a charge pressure tester. You hook up shop air to the unit then use the regulator to adjust the price and spray intake area with soapy water, you'll get bubbles where your leak is. This works awesome on leaks that only present with boost present. I.e. boost leaks 👍👍

[@GregoryBirulkin]

In the old days all we used was flammable spray for vacuum leaks. we also use propane for R12 refrigerant leaks which made mustard gas. LOL Use your volt ohm meter & Go to power probe website for fuse charts concerning amperage loss. Thank you for your videos.

[@lizardking8388]

You can test for amp draw through fuses with the millivolt function on your multimeter; no need to buy another tool. You will need to print up a chart (search "automotive fuse voltage drop chart") which will convert your millivolt readings to millamps based on the fuse size.

[@yaddercamacho9714]

20:00 so, a cheaper options for those of us who dont have the money or won't buy a 80$ tool that we will probably only use once in our lifetime, using a multimeter, you can use the setting to read DC current and manually check both terminals, or better yet (but it gives a bit more work) remove the fuse, and use the fine needles in each terminal to check, not as simple, but for a thing you can DIY on your car, it is pretty useful. And a cheap multimeter is about $20 or less

[@lyfandeth]

Wiz, for diy folks on a budget, the are also smoke sticks (like punks) and canned smoke, in a spray can, meant to test smoke detectors. Good for finding out where a water leak in the trunk or cabin is, if you can't spring for a whole machine.

[@Itsmellsfishy]

Love these videos. I work on my own cars and having actual experience and knowledge available is great

[@joeculver43]

The thermal image tool is amazing we have had one in the shop for years and I recently charged and started using this amazing tool I can’t wait for future problems I’ll keep y’all posted and might send a video, I work on semi’s so I see a lot of issues

[@thhall459]

This is one of your best videos ever! Thank you so very much for sharing these amazing diagnostic techniques!

[@greasemonkey5637]

Please do more videos like this every now and then for us mechanics. I learned a few new things.

[@ManBearPig1968]

These tools and your advice...pure gold. Thanks for sharing 💯👍🏻

[@dragon81heart]

Possible dumb question: I’ve never used one of the smoke machines and am curious, do you have to clean the oil residue out of any of the lines after you use it?

[@Itsmellsfishy]

Aaron Hainan nah. They are pretty dry.

[@dragon81heart]

Michael Smilson Thank you

[@miketeeveedub5779]

Car Wizard the kind of guy to hum "Smoke on the Water" when diagnosing vacuum leaks.

[@limoboy27]

*Doug DeMuro commenters have entered the chat

[@JoseHernandez-fj9tv]

Great video thanks

[@phillipjohnson512]

Very cool video Car Wizard. Enjoyed it sir.

[@haroldsegnitz7437]

I just purchased the amp hound after seeing the video. It really helped me in a significant way. It will be a valuable tool in my collection. Thank you!

[@porthose2002]

Very helpful video, Wizard. Thanks for taking the time to post this, and would love to see more hints and tricks like this.

[@Mark_317]

I went to a technical high school for auto tech, we had a vehicle keep coming in for a parasitic drain, I stayed late one night to work on my truck and it was dark at 430 that time of year as I was leaving I saw a light coming from in the car with a parasitic drain. It was the light inside the glove compartment. I love you videos. Thank you for your service!

[@neutrodyne]

I like the magic trick you did when you simply opened your hand and the diagram appeared.

[@WhittyPics]

Scotty does that smoke test with a cigar. I had a bad mercury switch on a trunk light drain my battery before. The right tool for the job make a big difference

[@opuscat999]

Excellent video. Thank you Wizard.

[@eitanzamudio]

Wizard and Scotty , best car advisers you can get .

[@ljashansen]

Great information for those of us who do not do repairs but can appreciate the challenges finding broken parts. This is why you are the Wizard.

[@userrrrr12366]

Omg my 2005 Honda Odyssey has a short that keeps draining my battery so my mechanic put a lever I have to undo after everytime I shut my car down so it doesn't die overnight. I'm gunna get this fuse machine and try this, they told me it's impossible to be fixed but it can be! I knew it! I love your videos thank you so much.

[@atomicdmt8763]

outstanding! just ordered a smoke machine. I was using a cigar and battery powered fuel transfer pump wand - w rubber glove... but I intend to do this test more often

[@Anthony-tg9vs]

Geez , great video , I was looking regarding the smoke machine but learned about two more tools. Thanks for the explanation!.

[@jwelchon2416]

I learned something today. I had no idea you can test an EVAP system with a smoke machine. I have never seen that done before.

[@andrewkimball2925]

Thanks for the video wizard. Im a tech uptfitting police cars and work trucks. Youd be an amazing tech/ mechanic teacher. Very handy videos.

[@MyLifeThai371]

Harbor Freight tools sells the "Fox and Hound." They call it a cable tracker. $23. It finds shorts to ground and broken wires. My Silverado had no power to the trailer hookup on the rear bumper. I plugged it in and ran the probe over the fuse box under the hood and found the old owner never took out the dummy fuse. I put in a good fuse and had trailer lights.

[@mikekilburn6902]

Car Wizard I have spent my holiday time off watching your videos. YOU ARE THE MAN! I thought I knew something about working on cars and you have definitely given me new perspective. Please keep up the great videos. Ill be watching. Any great tips for organizing the garage would be awesome!

[@mtfan]

Hoovie’s next video: “I broke the Evap service port on my Volvo.”

[@gfxbqwq]

Excellent video I learn every time I watch

[@josephfigueira813]

You're the teacher everyone should have 🤔🤔🤔🤔💞💞💞💞👏👏👏👏👏

[@joshuapruden6497]

Greetings from Hartford Connecticut USA!!! I LOVE videos like this!!! This should be on cable television!! Keep up the good work! Thanks for the great content!

[@zygmuntbonifaciuk1386]

This might be a stupid question but can you use normal Amp meter for checking those fuses instead of this tool?

[@greasemonkey5637]

The fuse would have to be removed so that the amp meter can be put in series. This can sometimes disrupt the power supply to modules that take time to shut down.

[@FishFind3000]

Zygmunt Bonifaciuk you can use a dmm and measure the voltage drop and convert that into amp draw. You do not need to remove the fuse to test it.

[@zygmuntbonifaciuk1386]

It makes sense, thanks!

[@douglasdesmarais4269]

Would have loved to have that thermal imaging camera years ago I’ve been in the trade 30 years retired three months ago. Awesome stuff they have today.

[@burningsoul1365]

always look forward your vids wizzard

[@getchasome6230]

Those smoke machines are worth their weight in gold.

[@luisgonzalez8423]

No you obviously havent seen the ghetto smoke machine video on youtube using harbor frieght pump and dollar cigars. Buying one of these expensive machines is idiotic and unnecessary

[@getchasome6230]

@@luisgonzalez8423 is that how you guys do it in mexico?

[@jacobt1027]

@@luisgonzalez8423 That won't work in a professional shop. In professional shop you don't cheap out on tools.

[@UpcomingJedi]

@@getchasome6230 No. In Mejico we use a pickle jar, señor.

[@czenkusm]

@@luisgonzalez8423 What are stupid comment

[@PieterBreda]

I like this channel because of the relaxed and calm presentation.

[@stevenmosgin2679]

Thanks. I appreciate the education about engines . I had to replace the charcoal canister in my Lexus ES 330 and didn’t know what the heck it did . Nice to get the education. PS I really like my old Lexus, an 06 with 120,000 miles. I do regular maintenance and now it’s a challenge to see how many miles I can get out of it. Wish I lived closer to your shop

[@cammedmotorsports7629]

Thanks for letting me know that I can use thermal camera more than just renovations, and now I have tooooo get a smoke machine and amp hound. Smoke machine because of 1990 Nissan 300zx TT since it’s a vacuum lines galore 👏🏼

[@jerod5636]

I lost my mind on a big Peterbilt that had a draw back when I was young and ignorant. The people who installed the winch had grabbed power somewhere weird and the inline fuse was hidden under a panel. Three. Fricken. Days. I learned to use an amp clamp after that one.

[@fieldsofomagh]

Great review on the practical features of the tools available.

[@nickpappas4133]

Some spade fuses from newer Audi/VW models don’t have exposed metal terminals so that adapter won’t work,have to use pins under the fuse.Buggers

[@DeatGaming]

I find some cheaper fuses don't have them either.

[@wingracer1614]

If it's a standard fuse just without the test points, just replace the fuse with one that has them.

[@rayhindle642]

Clear, concise and very well explained. Liked and subscribed.....Ray H. ( from England UK )

[@Louisfps]

Yes Sir that's why you're the Car Wizard, every episode is a learning experience. Thanks 💯💯💯💯👍👍👍

[@kmath50]

What was the first year for evap systems in the U.S.? I remember working on a 1970 Chevrolet Camaro, that had it. In those days, the charcoal canister was in the engine compartment, near the radiator support.

[@lucasnilsson2952]

Not only are your videos educational, I also enjoy the way Mr and Mrs Wizard are made into characters. Just following along is nice and entertaining.

[@letzrockitrite8469]

Super good information David !! thanks a bunch !

[@matthewmitchell9752]

Just grabbed the AMP hound... just the right tool for the right job... Plus I love my Snap-on Smoke machine always fun for leak detection

[@busbqbill449]

Regular voltage drop testing does the same thing and its bot as simple with modules in charge of multiple devices. Fine for older cars

[@amsmith170]

Brings new meaning to "letting the smoke out" of something!

[@margysan]

Great video people dont know how modern tech can help to diagnose problems. And not just with cars . Two of those items can help with plumbing and heating problems for guys fitting new systems and homeowners looking for issues in older heating systems .The smoke tester can be used to check a new installation for leaks and the thermal camera can be used for finding issues with old radiators being full of sediment .The thermal camera can also be used to identify faults in electrical / electronic circuits the uses of those two items are extensive and the cost of them is not much theses days

[@ihabphelobos7455]

Very useful information 👍👍👍 thank you.

[@Okie-Tom]

Thank you Sir. I always love your neat tool videos! Tom

[@gutsngorrrr]

The thermal camera is also great for looking at wires and circuit boards, instantly shows damaged components or wires that are overheating due to high current draw.

[@DerogativePeanut]

Thanks for the insight!

[@brenrowe2042]

Awesome, video, having the battery drain problem in my van. Cheers for the advice 👍👍

[@mrdomhare]

This a good episode. Well done Wizard 👍 Like it up guys!

[@zackk695]

Your one smart guy! I don’t subscribe to anyone but I did on this one. A person who learns to diagnose electrical on vehicles and do it quickly is a $150k a year man. To know how rare they are we only have two in all of Houston. People have to solve wiring issues when the computer doesn’t tell you.

[@jamesfromwellington]

Hi Wizard, One note for the viewers on the amp hound. With modern cars faults can be on different circuits to the main current draw. I had a draw from a canbus module, but the fault was due to the after-market car stereo not letting the canbus go to sleep. Incidentally, I fixed it by adding an isolating circuit to the stereo canbus signal wires

[@smolville]

Remember the old freon detectors? They used a small propane bottle and a copper penny. They haven't made copper pennies since 1982.

[@jmoney7289]

smolville I'm a coin enthusiast and I was always keen on metallic sounds I told some guys in my old highschool they wouldn't bet 10 bucks I could tell if they dropped a penny newer than 1982 on the tile floor I was almost always right and they thought I wouldn't be because I was a smoke machine myself lol. The only time I wasn't I broke out my trusty scale and would tell them if it was 2.5 or 3.1 grams because half of 1982's are zinc other half are copper. Also dimes have 118 Reed's the lines on the side .... Just a little trip down memory lane

[@9HighFlyer9]

8:10 I think you've never seen a forest fire and don't quite grasp "billowing." Great video. I'm the neighborhood mechanic people were coming to me with Lean codes and evap leaks. So I bought the cheapest one on Amazon $200. I had been wanting one for a while. Finally ordered it after spending way to much time tracking down a P0171 on a 2002 Lightning. It's been great, probably wouldn't stand up to frequent use in a shop though.

[@stacydornan9765]

Awesome vid Wiz,big time diagnostic saver dude

[@ajhatti2011]

Sometimes it’s easy to get tunnel vision and forget how to confirm a fix, or to figure out a problem. But sometimes you see a tool you don’t recognize. And instantly need to have. I need that heat camera.

[@akoubek3]

Car Wizard should start a mechanic school or make some of those old school training DVDs His advice, voice, and presentation skills are amazing, and these videos would and do make for great training information for greenhorns

[@cppctek]

best video ive seen how to detech evap leaks. also they do make cheaper machines and even diy machines that dont need shop air.

[@georgecolbert3247]

Good to see the application of these diagnostic tools. More videos like this would be good.

[@cromulentcommodore5896]

alternatively you can have a Subaru driver exhale into your intake manifold.

[@Rob-fx2dw]

Another tool that can be used as an indicator for any temperature related issue is a $20 infra digital red laser indicated temperature sensor which you can get on e bay. They measure temperatures of bearings such as wheel bearings and auxiliary drive bearings . Just point the laser guide at the suspect bearing and it digitally shows the temperature. Great for comparing suspect wheel bearings that can be heard while driving but are hard to determine if it is right or left hand and the same for tires that a noise comes from and may be defective . You can use them in the same way the Wizard uses his display type temp reader or use them in your home to determine heat spots or cold in your ceiling where insulation is lacking or where a suspect animal is hiding in it's nest.

[@MyLifeThai371]

I made my own smoke machine. $7 for a canning jar. $7 for a 30w soldering iron. $5 for baby oil. I used an old cotton sock as the wick. I used a ball point pen for the hookups on top. I used 3 ft. of clear plastic tubing that I had from when I made my own brake bleeding kit.

[@davidmiller8055]

Car Wizard can you do a video explaining to us long and short term fuel trims? From what I understand once you master the understanding of fuel trim it can greatly cut down on time spent diagnosing a rich or lean condition caused by unmetered air entering an engine or too much fuel entering the combustion chamber that can cause false oxygen sensor codes when the oxygen sensor is in fact not the problem. Once you understand long and short term fuel trims you will never look at a scan tool the same way again.

[@marcc629]

Professional machines produce a more dense smoke easier to see. Very good video

[@johnmichaelkarma]

Free from Hoovie and the Wiz analyzing,does it get any better?

[@TheKnightda8]

CalVan is the manufacturer of the Amp Hound.... though the trucks sell it as well. $65 bucks on Amazon. Bought one a few months ago.... well worth it. Very cleaver to use the actual fuse an an amp shunt.

[@LS-uv5jf]

Very helpful and informative time saving tips. Thx.

[@kiwiexotics1982]

My dad is a mechanic he said if your car is missing and a spark plug fouls up on a trip which you should always have spare spark plugs in your kit. He said easiest way to do a spark plug test is a spit test.You put a bit of spit on your finger and touch the manifold lightly you can hear or feel the spit get hot means its working when its not hot you know thats the cylinder needs attention. My dad always has a kit in his car a spark plug or 2 a wrench spark plug lead for the longest plug means you can put it on the short plug without problems and tyre pando points and sandpaper to clean points. We are V8 people so they are so easy to work on yourself.

[@petercantremember253]

Brilliant CW...so logical it's scary..thanx and a big special thanx to Mrs Wizard for Q & A hehe

[@briang.valentine4311]

Some of the valves in the EVAP system won't open unless the pressure in the system is higher than atmospheric (from warm fuel vapor), or no electrical signal to the valves. Meaning the smoke machine won't identify a leak in a line because a valve is closed.

[@ahmedsaeed2101]

This is an amazing video

[@davidgallego2854]

Free knowledge my brother

[@juanbroughton3143]

Thanks, like someone mentioned, I wish I had stuff like this 20+ years ago

[@walter.bellini]

Thank you for the video Question: Aren't you supposed to close the Vent Valve before starting the test, as it is ordinarily open when the car is not running? Hence why the smoke was coming out around the vent area near the canister? Thank you

[@michaelrobinson5592]

Good job 👍

[@dillonrumley3295]

On old 4 clynder bikes the thermal imaging is a life saver. You can find out what ist firing and what's not and cuts time by 3/4

[@mcshawnboy]

Nice tips there Car Wizard! I used to work at GM shop in one of the wealthiest counties in the US and they loved "The Chassis Ear" but it was in regular use as it was in the early 90s. Do you have any comments on it? I'm impressed with the first one most of all, but truly not one of them is a sluggard. I guess you will always have folks say it's not needed. Do you have any experience on the induction heater to get fasteners like head or studs on exhaust out without any direct flame. I've seen it on Banggood for about $250 & multiple heads. I even like the boat series. I've been ASE certified, but as a rider in an early VW bus struck by an 👽 in a hurry my doc told me that I need to find a job where I don't stand or am kneeling for a long time.