vacuum leak detect with water?

[goblazers]

Hello,

I have a 93 Civic with a low idle that I’ve been working on for several months, going down the list of things mentioned in Eric’s “idle speech.”

Topic

[dreamer2355]

Welcome to the forums!

I cant see how the idle would change using water seeing as its not a combustible liquid or gas like the other methods listed.

[Matt]

Quoted From dreamer2355:

Welcome to the forums!

I cant see how the idle would change using water seeing as its not a combustible liquid or gas like the other methods listed.

I was quick to respond about not starting a fire, but I agree, I’m not sure how water would even benefit you.

[goblazers]

Thanks for the quick replies. I’ll have to think a bit more about this.

By the way a quick search came up with these articles:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/ho … uum-leak-2

Similarly, you can spray water or motor oil onto a suspected leak and achieve the same end. When the water gets sucked into the leak, it momentarily interrupts the extra O2 stream, and the engine’s idle will change.
http://www.moparmagazine.com/2010/may-j … ks.htmlThe recommended method to find the leak is to spray water along that parting line, N (you can spray water at the throttle body-manifold mating surface, too). If the idle speed changes, you

[Matt]

If you aren’t comfortable doing the test, especially with flammable substances, DON’T DO IT. The cigarette/cigar method is probably your best method. Don’t set yer ride on fire. Personally, I wouldn’t want to spray water into my engine under any circumstances.

[yarddog1950]

I think Eric’s video mentions that propane is safer than carb cleaner. Others simply say that propane is safe.
In that very little carb cleaner or propane needs to be used, the danger of fire is small anyway.
As an experiment, create a small leak and spray a small amount of carb cleaner on it. You will see how little carb cleaner is necessary to change idle. I’ve seen a couple of fires that required a fire extinguisher and they were caused by several ounces of ATF or gasoline spilled on hot exhaust.

I learned from a wood shop (long ago) that whenever you use a new tool or a new method, you should test your skill (or train) with something you can throw away. The same applies here, but you need to simulate a leak to see how your detection method works. This can also be applied to “fire fighting” skill.

[college man]

I would not use the water. to use the carb spray. do it when the engine just got started to eliminate a very hot engine. C8-)

[dreamer2355]

If you do decide to use carb cleaner, just make sure you have a fire extinguisher close by.

[sclark]

look on Google lots of info on how to make your own smoke machine! using baby oil,etc

[sclark]

here is some links or i see other guys convertering a smoke machine to work on cars!

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31963

http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/223962/

http://photobucket.com/images/Homemade%20evap%20smoke%20machine/

[sclark]

youtube video on one to!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g5m6PDHsFA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvt6cFWm4hg&feature=related

[EricTheCarGuy]

You could use water but I don’t think it would be as accurate, you might do better with smoke or coating the intake with soapy water and then pressurizing it with compressed air while you look for bubbles. You can often use the brake booster hose for this, of course the car isn’t running when you do this.

[Author]

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