Smoke Test 1

[swall]

I have heard the term "smoke test" as a diagnostic tool, but was not sure what it is for. Is it to measure the opacity of the vehicle exhaust or is it some sort of test to find air leaks into the passenger compartment?

 

[1gibson]

Vacuum leaks

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Unless you're an EE, and then "smoke test" takes on a whole new meaning...

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[GregLocock]

There's probably a smoke test for diesels as well

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

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[patprimmer]

I think the EPA might have a smoke test for diesels. Failing one can be more problematic than failing an inlet manifold vacuum leak test.

I am sure the term can have many meanings depending on when and where.

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376 for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &

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[MikeHalloran]

I have used cigar smoke blown through a small hose to check for clogs in carburetor passages, to bench-check the centering adjustment shims on a power steering control valve, and to verify correct installation of several large hydraulic lines spanning three compartments in a submarine. That last test consumed an entire 'guinea stinker' and gave me a wicked headache.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[dgallup]

I can remember way back in about 1980 using a Bosch smoke tester for diesels. It drew a sample through filter paper and then had some kind of optical meter that gave it a number. It think it was a scale of 1 to 5. Hopefully there is something more sophisticated today.

 

[tomwalz]

track air flow

fitting face masks
track ventilation effectiveness
find leaks

We used a lot of smoke when we built the new plant. Check ventilation and employee training.



Thomas J. Walz
Carbide Processors, Inc.

http://www.carbideprocessors.com

Good engineering starts with a Grainger Catalog.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Where is Cheech and Chong when you really need them.. Now that was some smoke!!

 

[TheBlacksmith]

Don't they also use some kind of smoke during a wind tunnel test?

 

[patprimmer]

Don't magicians use smoke and mirrors.

Also is it a type of test to blow smoke up someones, ummm well you get the picture.

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376 for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &

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[TheBlacksmith]

Pat - "smoke and mirrors", that would be automotive marketing.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Our HR department is mostly smoke & mirrors.

 

[patprimmer]

Blacksmith

I think while well entrenched in automotive marketing, I think it is much wider spread than that.

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376 for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &

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for site rules

 

[Peter7307]

Certainly is...politicians have developed it to an art form!

Peter.

 

[SomptingGuy]

Bosch Automotive Handbook (5th Edition). Page 566: "Smoke Emission Test Equipment"

It's all still based on blowing exhaust gases through a bit of tissue and seeing if it goes black or not.

- Steve

 

[drwebb]

Hmmm, blowing cigar smoke through a gasoline carburetor. Clever mechanical idea- but even more elegent procedure for simultaneously pushing ALL the buttons of a modern HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) department! ;-)

 

[btrueblood]

Some day I hope to work alongside Mr. Halloran, or at least spend a few evenings sharing a beer or two. Drwebb, a star for pointing out the multiple hot buttons for HSE types.

In a long departed job we would use various "smoke analysers" for rocket exhaust plumes. Seeing lots of iron, chromium, aluminum or other metal species in the exhaust was a sure sign that something was going (had gone) wrong.

 

[MikeHalloran]

I didn't say the carburetor was mounted on the car. It was not.
It had in fact been completely disassembled and cleaned, with carburetor cleaner, then alcohol, then soapy water.
After which, some chalky deposits remained in the emulsification tubes, and some carbonaceous deposits remained in the transition jets.
Their presence was detected with the smoke.
They were mechanically removed.
Their absence was verified by the smoke.
Then the carburetor was reassembled and reused in the normal way.

That (Ford/Motorcraft) carburetor would have given the HSE folks fits anyway; the normal procedure for adjusting the float level required measuring the float level with the entire top of the carburetor removed, on a running engine. You were supposed to stop the engine to bend the float tangs, because bending them on a running engine would squirt gasoline from the float needle up into your face; this, I know.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[btrueblood]

"I didn't say the carburetor was mounted on the car. It was not."

Oh, Mike, don't spoil the legend.

For some HSE types it wouldn't matter. But this written in the manual would make the vision complete: "Tuck lit cigar behind ear whilst adjusting the float level"