How to make a smoke generator for a car with your own hands? Interesting way to diagnose. We make a smoke generator for a car with our own hands Homemade smoke generator for a car with an oil vaporizer


The car is a complex of interconnected units and systems, which, unfortunately, fail during its operation. In the event of unforeseen breakdowns, the machine is sent for diagnostics to find out the cause of the malfunction.

As a rule, diagnostics means checking the main systems of the car using a computer tester. However, to determine the cause of a breakdown, the use of this equipment is not always required, because quite often the malfunction is so simple that it can be fixed in a garage.

If this problem is associated with a violation of the tightness of one of the car's systems, then in this case it becomes necessary to purchase a smoke generator for the car. The purchase of such a device will cost approximately six thousand rubles. If you want to save these funds, you can make a smoke generator for a car with your own hands.

Purpose and characteristics

The smoke generator, whether it is a factory device or a self-made analogue, is used to examine various components of the power unit for tightness. Among the systems that can be diagnosed with this device, first of all, it is worth mentioning the systems:

  • cooling;
  • air intake;
  • release of the fulfilled gases;
  • any other in which leakage is not allowed during the operation of the engine.

The smoke generator is excellent for checking optics for leaks and for detecting severe damage and punctures in tires.

The principle of operation of this device is based on the use of thick, most often white smoke, which is supplied to the system under pressure, usually 0.3-0.5 bar, and allows with minimal effort to detect any leaks that would be impossible to find with the naked eye.

The simplest manufacturing instructions using a conventional hand pump:

Manufacturing instructions

In order to independently manufacture this device, you will need a certain set of tools:

  • pressure regulator;
  • compressed air source;
  • cigarettes;
  • air blow gun.

You can buy equipment at a hardware store or where tools are sold. A compact car compressor can become a source of compressed air. A wheel cylinder can also be considered as an alternative in this case.

Manufacturing process

  1. Initially, the blow gun will have to be subjected to a slight modernization. The diameter of the inner hole into which the "nose" of the tool will be inserted should be 8-8.3 mm. If this value turned out to be less, it is necessary to drill it to the parameters indicated above.
  2. Then you need to connect the already modified gun to the air pressure regulator. At the same stage, a source of compressed air is connected. It should be added that the outlet pressure should not be too high (not higher than 0.5 bar), in this regard, you can choose the weakest compressor in the store.
  3. Now it remains to insert a cigarette into the nose of the gun, set fire to it and connect it to the remaining structure, after which you can observe the car's system being diagnosed and look for possible leaks.

Of course, you can use other, more difficult ways the manufacture of such a device as a smoke generator for a car. However, this one is quite simple, but effective method will allow high-quality diagnostics car and check its systems for leaks.

A photo

Video

Another option using a body from a grease fitting:

A car is a whole complex of various systems and units, the work of which is closely interconnected. Therefore, any vehicle not insured against unforeseen breakdowns. In the event of such malfunctions, the car must be sent for diagnostics. Often, by this word, drivers mean checking the car using a computer tester. But this is not always true - sometimes the cause of a breakdown is so simple that you can deal with it without leaving your home. But if this problem concerns a violation of the tightness of any system, then you will have to buy a smoke generator for a car. The price of such devices is about 5-6 thousand rubles. But you can go the other way.

It is quite possible to save a decent amount of money by making a smoke generator for a car with your own hands. What is this tool and how is it made? Find out the answers to these questions in our article today.

Characteristics and purpose

In general, a smoke generator for a car (made by hand, or factory - it doesn’t matter) is used for an effective examination for leaks in various engine components. This may be an air intake, cooling or some other system in which no leakage is allowed during operation. Also, this device is used to detect punctures in tires or to check the tightness of the optics (often in such cases it “sweats”). The principle of operation of the smoke generator is based on the use of thick smoke (most often white color), which is supplied under a pressure of 0.3-0.5 bar into the system and allows you to detect any leaks with minimal effort that could not be determined with the naked eye.

How to make a smoke generator for a car? Cooking Tools

For the manufacture of this device we need:

  1. Air blow gun.
  2. Cigarettes.
  3. Source of compressed air.
  4. Pressure regulator.

All of these parts can be purchased at any hardware store. As the penultimate element (source, it is recommended to use any compact compressor. As an alternative, in this case, a wheel cylinder is suitable.

Getting Started

The blow gun will have to be slightly upgraded. The inner hole where the cigarette will be inserted (the nose of the tool) should have a diameter of 8-8.3 millimeters. If this value is less, use a drill to drill a hole to the above parameters.

Next, we connect with an already modified pistol. We also connect a source of compressed air here. It is worth noting that the outlet pressure should not be very large, so the compressor can be chosen the weakest. You may need to vary the air flow to get the most optimal smoke output. The pressure itself should not exceed 0.5 bar. If this value is higher, it will be more difficult to diagnose parts for leaks, because you will have to stock up on a whole set of cigarettes.

You can use another, more complex method of manufacturing this diagnostic equipment. Thus, we will provide the car with almost professional diagnostics for leaks.

We make a smoke generator for a car with our own hands - method number 2

Unlike the first method, the device of such a smoke generator will be more expensive to manufacture. But in the end, we get a much larger smoke output, respectively, the device will be more convenient to use.

Upgrading the grease gun

We take the body from the grease gun as the basis for the design. It can be purchased for about 300-500 rubles. As in the first case with a pistol, the syringe will have to be finalized with your own hands. in the middle of the device you need to mount a partition-adapter. On one side, a glow plug is screwed in. The latter can be taken from any domestic diesel engine (for example, from MMZ D 240 or 245, which is installed on the ZIL "Bull"). The voltage of the glow plug should correspond to 12 or 24V. For the first, you need to apply a power limiting scheme. The simplest and cheapest option would be to use. Thanks to this part, the operating time of the candle is almost halved.

Second part of work

How is a do-it-yourself smoke generator made for a car? Next, you need to drill a few holes in the top cap of the syringe. We will need them to supply air on one side and to exit smoke on the other. It is necessary to install a pressure regulator at the inlet, which will provide an oxygen flow of no more than 0.2-0.3 atmospheres. A non-return valve is mounted on the outlet hose. It can be taken from the power supply system of the carburetor motor. As for the use of oil, anyone will do for diagnostics, but usually baby Johnsons baby, glycerin, or liquid for concert smoke installations are used. Everything, at this stage, a do-it-yourself smoke generator for a car has been successfully made. As you can see, in just a few minutes you can create a device similar in functionality to a professional one, the cost of which is 5-6 thousand rubles.

So, we found out how to make a smoke generator with our own hands and what tools and materials are required for this.

The car is a whole complex of different units and systems, the functioning of which is closely interconnected. In this regard, no vehicle is insured against unforeseen breakdowns. In the event of such malfunctions, the machine must be sent for diagnostics. Drivers often mean by this word checking a car using a computer tester, but this is not always true. In some cases, the cause of the breakdown is so elementary that it can be dealt with without leaving home. If the problem is related to the leakage of any system, you need to buy a special device - a smoke generator. Such devices are quite expensive, but you can save money by making a smoke generator with your own hands.

Features and purpose

In general, the smoke generator is used to effectively inspect various engine components for leaks. It could be:

  • air intake system;
  • exhaust system;
  • cooling system, etc.

The smoke generator also allows you to detect punctures in tires or check the tightness of the optics, due to the violation of which the headlights sweat. The principle of operation of the device is based on the use of thick white smoke, which is fed into the system at a pressure of 0.3-0.5 bar and allows you to detect leaks that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

Required Tools

To assemble a smoke generator for a car, you will need the following tools:

  • Source of compressed air.
  • Air blow gun.
  • Pressure regulator.
  • Cigarettes.

You can buy all these things at the hardware store. As for the source of compressed air, it is better to use some kind of compact compressor. In this case, the wheel balloon is an alternative.

Getting Started

The blow gun needs to be upgraded. The inner hole into which we will insert the cigarette must be made with a diameter of about 8 mm. If this value is less, ream the hole with a drill.

After that, the air pressure regulator must be connected to the upgraded gun. We connect here the source of compressed air. Note that the outlet pressure should not be too high, so choose a weaker compressor. You will probably need to vary the airflow to get the best smoke output. The pressure itself should be no higher than 0.5 bar. Otherwise, it will be more difficult to check the parts for leaks, since you will need a whole pack of cigarettes.

Next, we insert a cigarette into the nose of the gun, set fire to it and screw it into the tool. That's it - your smoke generator is ready to go. You can use other more complicated method development of diagnostic equipment. So you will ensure the possibility of professional diagnostics for leaks.

The second way to create a smoke generator

Unlike the previous method, this device is more expensive to manufacture. In this case, you can get more smoke at the outlet, and the device will turn out to be more convenient to use.

This design is based on the body of the grease gun. It can be bought for 300-500 rubles at any auto shop. As in the first case, the syringe needs to be finalized. Mount the adapter in the middle of the device. On one side, screw in the glow plug, which is suitable for any domestic diesel engine. The voltage of the glow plug should be 12 or 24 volts. For the first, you need a power limiting circuit. More simple and cheap option- the use of a turn relay, due to which the operating time of the candle will be halved.

Now it's time to drill a few holes in the top cap of the syringe, which will be required for air to enter from one side and exit from the other. Install a pressure regulator at the inlet that provides an oxygen flow of no more than 0.2-0.3 atmospheres. We install a check valve on the outlet hose, which can be taken from the power supply system of the carburetor engine.

As for the use of oil, any oil will do, but it is better to use baby Johnsons baby, concert smoke machine fluid, or regular glycerin. So, the smoke generator for the car is ready to go. As you understand, it can be done quite quickly and simply, saving a large sum of money.

So I decided to see if I have an air leak on the intake manifold and on the turbine bells. After reading on the Internet about smoke generators, I decided to find out if we have them in our city. I surfed the net and didn't find it. And everyone thought that yes, how to quickly make it. And yesterday I was standing near the object and I see an old Bosch fuel filter lying around. I quickly sawed it with a grinder and I tried it on the socket after the corrugation. Fits tight and tight. Then the idea took off quickly. A 20 cm hose was purchased, 2 gas fittings, a tube 15 with a double-sided thread 10 cm long. total money 500tg. After that, in one fitting, I drilled a hole 1 cm deep under 8 mm. Since this is the diameter of the cigarette.

1. We take off the corrugation after the air filter.

2. Insert part of the fuel filter into the turbine socket

3. Hoses are dressed on fittings

4. We light a cigar and quickly spin everything

5. We take the pump and start pumping. The pump was manual for putting on mattresses

6. Smoke finds a hole and oozes out

7. As it became quite easy to pump the pump, it means the cigar is over

The result made me happy and disappointed. The smoke goes well and there are a lot of places where it comes from. The bells smoke where the boxes and in one place where the connection with the turbine pipe. There was also smoke from somewhere under the intake manifold. There is either a throttle gasket or some kind of tube under the manifold. Didn't see

So I decided to see if I have an air leak on the intake manifold and on the sockets of the turbines. After reading on the internet about smoke generators, I decided to find out if they are in our city. I surfed the net and didn't find it. And everyone thought that yes, how to quickly make it. And yesterday I was standing near the object and I see an old Bosch fuel filter lying around. I quickly sawed it with a grinder and I tried it on the socket after the corrugation. Fits tight and tight. Then the idea took off quickly. A 20 cm hose, 2 gas fittings, a tube 15 with a two-sided thread 10 cm long were purchased. total money 500tg. After that, in one fitting, I drilled a hole 1 cm deep under 8 mm. Since this is the diameter of the cigarette.

1. We take off the corrugation after the air filter.

2. Insert part of the fuel filter into the turbine socket

3. Hoses are dressed on fittings

4. We light a cigar and quickly spin everything

5. We take the pump and start pumping. The pump was manual for inflating mattresses

6. Smoke finds a hole and oozes out

7. As it became quite easy to pump the pump, it means the cigar is over

The result made me happy and disappointed. The smoke goes well and there are a lot of places from where it goes. The bells smoke where the boxes and in one place where the connection with the turbine pipe. There was also smoke from somewhere under the intake manifold. There is either a throttle gasket or some kind of tube under the manifold. Didn't see it.

Well, here I got this vital device called a smoke generator or a smoke machine. Smoked a lot of different forums on this issue. The principle of all devices is almost the same. Buy from 4-5tyr, the toad was choking, and they are short-lived. The task was set to make a smoke generator from what can be bought everywhere, so that it would be compact in terms of non-working state (modular), next question I was worried that many people complain about the heating of metal cases (made by turning), and the last thing is that its cost would tend to zero in the adequate sense of the word, that it would be made very quickly (slowly within an hour) well, what would be in the process work, when the parts of the smoke generator fail, so that their replacement and search is not difficult.

And so it was decided to make the case plastic (so as not to get burned and so that there would be no short circuits to ground). As a basis, a plumbing American with a diameter of 60 is taken, a metal adapter is screwed onto it by 3/4 and a 3/4 adapter is screwed into it per inch (the same size as a candle), into which a glow plug from a diesel Zil or Lawn car is already screwed - they are analogues KAMAZ candles, but only unlike KAMAZ ones, they are designed for 9.5 volts, which is what we need, since I’m going to power it from a 12-volt battery and do not require any refinement at all (cutting off the protective sheath of the KAMAZ glow element), then on the other side it is welded with a plumbing soldering iron in five minutes, an adapter from 60 diameter to 40 and outwards in descending order, an American 3/4 is soldered into which the adapter is screwed into half an inch, and in turn, an adapter (by 1/4) into which all adapters, pneumatic quick-detachers fit just well, well, actually and everyone finished with the body. It was decided to supply air from below into the candle, so the jet and filter from the candle are unscrewed and the nipple from the tubeless tube with a nipple is screwed onto the connection point by hand (the nipple is needed so that the oil does not flow out through the candle supply fitting, well, to quickly connect the Chinese battery boost pump And so the case of the smoke generator in the disassembled field version turns out to be airtight, since the nipple is on the air supply from below, and the pneumatic quick-release valve is on top (it was first installed, the fast-acting "dad" fitting, this is it on initial photos, then a quick-release "mother" with a check valve is installed; it is shown on individual photos) and at removed state it is closed, so it is not required to drain the oil after work, but the pump and the pneumatic hose snap off and we throw the body of the smoke generator in any position into the box. When using a pistol, you must immediately take care that it is open, as it can crush the smoke generator or tear the tubeless nipple from the candle with great pressure. Tests were carried out for two days, the smoke is good, the cheapest Chinese pump is enough for the eyes, the candle heats up immediately, the smoke, when connected, goes after 5 seconds. The volume of the bus suction cummins inflated in about three minutes, and this is a 30 liter filter, nozzles with a diameter of 15 cm and a large intercooler. With the help of a smoke generator, they found a crack in the intercooler.

The plans are to make a hanging bracket under the hood, an air supply extension, and connection from the same terminals. And so the smoke generator looks, not very clumsy, as the pig said "inspires".

Moreover, I didn’t have to turn to a turner at all, all fittings and quick-releases are purchased, and you can experiment in size and diameter of the case, depending on your imagination and the availability of plumbing parts.

Yes, I forgot to point out that this generator does not care about the oil level in it, that is, you do not need to catch a lope to fill in, and it works even when the glow plug element is completely covered with oil.

The total cost of the entire working device cost:

1. Sanitary parts (American adapters, etc.) = 600 rubles.

2. Chinese pump 370r.

3. pneumatic hose (quick-release) = 220r

4 air gun (quick-detachable) China = 150r

5 quick release adapters = 80r

6. glow plug of the diesel manifold (Zyl, Gas) 9.5 volts = 150r

7. extension cord, with crocodile clips = already in stock.

8. nipple tubeless tire = 30r

9. wires, terminals, plugs = already available.

Total 1600 rubles.

If you don’t be so demanding, like don’t present the smoke generator with quick disassembly (quick couplers) and do without an air gun like most, but use a regular hose, then the cost will already be 1150, ready, and most importantly, an autonomous device, that is, not tied to a stationary compressor. On the forums for such a price they offer only one case of a smoke generator, turned by a turner, we add here a candle, hoses from the compressor, the compressor itself and ………….

Actually, I think it’s a very democratic alternative to a purchased smoke generator, both in terms of price and ease of execution, for beginners and beginners, that’s it.

Good luck with your diagnosis.

Well, I collected another copy of the smoke generator from a chava, called it chava-#2.

Actually the principle is the same glow plug for operation in the on-board power supply of 12 volts. China-compressor, plumbing and pneumatic components. Only everything is made compactly, and when folded, everything fits in the compressor case (suitcase). For trips, the very thing is a completely autonomous (that is, not requiring a stationary compressor) and compact smoke generator. I don’t see the point in describing its assembly and what it is made of in principle because of its repeatability with the previous ones, and the differences are all clear from the photo.

Both copies (No. 1 and No. 2) were modified with oil traps in the DG case, a metal washcloth was actually used to clean the pans. The first DG generally began to produce almost dry smoke (due to its large volume), the second compact copy became more acceptable to retain oil in the DG housing (which, due to its small size, is quite good), in fact, completely eliminate emissions from smoke generators sold a small amount oils will probably be able to compete, at a price of 40-50tyr. Well, I consider a couple of drops of oil for checking one car to be acceptable, well, if you want it to be completely dry, then the first option is the best.

Yes, the smoke, as in the first DG, also starts to smoke a couple of seconds earlier, somewhere in about three seconds, so it does not require any "warm-up and warm-up".