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?

2 comments

2 Comments

ben40212d 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.

the_pat12d 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?