Using smoke to find air leaks - Printable Version

+- Newell Gurus (https://newellgurus.com)
+-- Forum: Technical Discussions (https://newellgurus.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Forum: Air Operated Systems and Leaks (https://newellgurus.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=33)
+--- Thread: Using smoke to find air leaks (/showthread.php?tid=6989)

---

Using smoke to find air leaks - dbld58 - 09-21-2022

I was at a friend's auto shop today and he suggested using a smoker to find air leaks.  He's used it in other applications at his shop to great success.  Has anyone tried this?
Is there a downside to trying it?

---

RE: Using smoke to find air leaks - Richard - 09-21-2022

On the air system, or to detect air leakage inside the coach?

---

RE: Using smoke to find air leaks - dbld58 - 09-22-2022

On the air system to detect leaks.

---

RE: Using smoke to find air leaks - DK on the road - 09-22-2022

I like the tried and true soapy bubbles for initial detection, then breaking the system down to smaller sections and testing with a gauge for losses. It's probably safe to use smoke, but is it? Introducing anything but dry air, smoke maybe dry enough, could be a concern.

---

RE: Using smoke to find air leaks - dbld58 - 09-22-2022

I'm just thinking if there really is not downside it would potentially make things sooo much easier. But surely I am not the first one to think of this...which is why I ask the question. :-)

---

RE: Using smoke to find air leaks - Richard - 09-22-2022

David, I think what you will find is that any smoke introduced is going to settle out of the aerosol long before it makes it through a leak that you can’t find with soap.

I had the bright idea once of pumping the air system up with R-134 and using my refrigerant leak detector to sniff around. Didn’t work at all.

---

RE: Using smoke to find air leaks - dbld58 - 09-22-2022

OK thanks...I knew I couldn't have been the only one thinking along these lines.

---