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Tried that 'smoke test' trick for vacuum leaks with a cigar and it actually works
I was sure it was a gimmick, but after chasing a rough idle on a '98 Civic for two hours, a cheap cigar pinpointed the leak at the brake booster line in under a minute. Anyone have a go-to smoke machine brand that doesn't cost a fortune?
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ben4026mo ago
Chasing a rough idle for two hours" is exactly why I used to write off the cigar trick. Figured it was just backyard hack stuff. Seeing that thin smoke get sucked right into a cracked vacuum line changed my mind fast. It's a stupid simple way to find the problem.
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carter.thea3mo ago
My 1990 Miata had me pulling my hair out for a whole weekend before I tried a cheap cigar from the gas station. Like @ben402, I figured it was one of those internet tricks that never works in real life. But I watched that smoke swirl right into a tiny crack on a hose behind the intake manifold and I was sold. I still keep a few cigars in my toolbox for quick checks. For a machine, I got a used Vevor unit off of Craigslist for 40 bucks and it does the job fine on my cars. You don't need a fancy smoke machine unless you are running a shop.
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the_pat6mo ago
Remember when I called that trick stupid and blew cigar smoke in my own face trying it? Yeah, the car wasn't the only thing with a leak that day. What's the best budget smoke machine you've actually used?
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