Where to find smoke bombs?

[blinkwatt]

I'm looking to find a possible air leak in my intake system via smoke testing. I have no clue where to buy them at though,Target? Kragen's?

[blinkwatt]

Bump. Anyone?

Make your own, all you need is salt peter and some stuff. Google it. Just dont do it too quick or it will catch on fire when you make it.

[ohioboxster]

Dont you guys have starting fluid out there in CA.?

[mswab]

one more time. What most people do is start the engine and take a can of R134a, with correct hose and valve see NAPA or Autozone, and spray the 134a on and around the intake system. Once you hit the leak the idle will drop as R134a is a really great fire extinguisher. You can use propane to do the opposite, the idle goes up, but the risk of explosion has always turned me off to this method.

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by mswab

one more time. What most people do is start the engine and take a can of R134a, with correct hose and valve see NAPA or Autozone, and spray the 134a on and around the intake system. Once you hit the leak the idle will drop as R134a is a really great fire extinguisher. You can use propane to do the opposite, the idle goes up, but the risk of explosion has always turned me off to this method.

Hi,

That is not a good, or environmentally sound idea. R-134a (or 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane) while not ozone depleting, isn't really good stuff to Free-Vent either.

1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane is slowly converted to trifluoroacetic acid through a radical reaction in the upper atmosphere and leads to a detectable amount of several ng/L rain.

Contact of tetrafluoroethane with flames or hot surfaces in excess of 250°C (482°F) - well within the temps of a hot engine, can cause vapor decomposition and the emission of toxic gases including hydrogen fluoride and carbonyl halides. Its gaseous form is denser than air, and will displace air in the lungs. This can result in asphyxiation if excessively inhaled.

Under pressure, tetrafluoroethane is compressed into a liquid, which upon vaporization absorbs a significant amount of thermal energy. As a result, it will greatly lower the temperature of any object with which it comes into contact as it evaporates. This can result in frostbite if it comes into contact with skin.

According to the MSDS, "In a two-year inhalation study, HFC-134a at a concentration of 50,000 ppm, produced an increase in late-occurring benign testicular tumors, testicular hyperplasia and testicular weight." - Sources: Honeywell International (December 2005). "MSDS # GTRN-0047 For Genetron® 134aUV".
Alexander D. J, Libretto S. E. (1995). "An overview of the toxicology of HFA-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane)". Hum. Exp. Toxicol. 14: 715-20.

There's really no need for this fancy stuff. An atomizer (Spray Bottle) filled with plain water will accomplish the same thing. Add a little Glycerin or Soap and watch for bubbles...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[CJ_Boxster]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

An atomizer (Spray Bottle) filled with plain water will accomplish the same thing. Add a little Glycerin or Soap and watch for bubbles...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

You wont see bubbles with a "Vaccum" leak Jim. Your thinking of tire puncture HOWEVER your idea will yeild a noticiable idle change if the vaccum leak is substancially large.... if your looking at a tiny pin hole, you will need someone in the drivers seat to warn you of idle changes.... Although i dont know if soap or glycerin is good or not for the intake system, valve system, o2 sensors and cats....

[limoncello]

Blink,
On the original question, canned "smoke" is available, and is routinely used to test smoke detector heads.

One source:
http://testproducts.com/safecart/index.php/cPath/29/?source=Google&gclid=CMLpwP_C4IoCFTYNQgod32Mo2Q

There are more sources, just google "smoke detector test smoke" and a bunch will come up.

Here in SC, where you can legally buy fireworks, a package of smoke bombs is a buck or so, but then you have an open flame source near the engine with the gasoline and all I'd go with the canned smoke, hope this helps.