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Smoke Pro Total Tech Frequently Asked Questions
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1. What kind of leaks can a smoke machine find?
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A smoke machine will effectively locate leaks in any system that contains air. Leaks commonly found in automobiles are rotted, broken or disconnected vacuum lines, leaking gaskets and fittings, cracked or broken plastic components, leaking diaphragms and seats, worn throttle shafts, leaking or cracked exhaust or intake manifolds, catalytic converters, under dash climate control and central locking system leaks, brake boosters, charcoal canisters, wind noise around doors and windows, even leaky headlamp and tail lamp housings to name just a few.
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2. How is an EVAP smoke machine different than a regular smoke machine?
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The EVAP system or Fuel Vapor Recovery System is very sensitive to pressure. Most of these systems allow only 15” of water column pressure or less.(approximately ˝ PSI ) Excessive pressure can damage sensitive components within these systems. A good EVAP machine should be pressure regulated at 15” of water or less. It should also have a pressure gauge to visually verify the output pressure of the machine. Leak determination in an EVAP system can be accomplished with flow comparison, using a flowmeter or pressure decay, locking out the system under pressure and reading the pressure decay on a pressure gauge. The Smoke Pro™ Total Tech incorporates all of these elements as well as the thickest smoke of any machine on the market today.
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3. How long will the smoke oil last and how much will it cost me to replace it?
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The Smoke Pro Total Tech automotive series will perform approximately 500 tests on an 8 ounce bottle of medicinal mineral oil (baby oil). Baby oil can be purchased at any market or drug store for a few dollars.
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4. Is high pressure better for finding leaks than low pressure?
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Absolutely not! The slower the smoke is exiting the leak the easier it is to see the smoke. A machine that operates at 1˝ PSI is not nearly as effective as a machine that is operating at ˝ PSI. Since EVAP testing must be performed at 13 inches of water, (less than ˝ PSI) any machine that is regulated to this pressure is a better choice for general testing as well.
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5. Is it necessary to use Nitrogen when testing an EVAP system?
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It is not necessary to use Nitrogen to test an EVAP system with the Smoke Pro™. In fact, Ford Motor Company and Daimler Chrysler do not require Nitrogen for leak testing EVAP systems and have purchased thousands of smoke machines which operate on compressed air. Nitrogen cylinders are heavy, awkward and require special storage.
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6. Is UV dye necessary to find leaks with smoke?
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It is commonly known that mixing a UV dye with any oil or Freon is a good method of finding those tiny, hard to find leaks in a fluid system. The dye will carry with that fluid and appear green when viewed with an ultra violet light source. Although UV dyes are helpful in locating leaks in AC systems, they are not as useful in low pressure smoke machines for several reasons. First, at pressures less than 1/2 PSI, there may not be enough pressure differential to deposit the oil containing the dye mixture at the point of the leak. Second, anyone who has ever gotten UV dye on themselves knows that it is a nuisance and is very difficult to remove. We do not recommend using or adding dye to any low pressure smoke machine.
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7. What is the warranty period?
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The Smoke Pro™ Total-Tech™ is covered by a one year limited warranty against material defects and workmanship.
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8. Do you offer a discount to educators?
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Yes, we offer a significant discount to schools, colleges and technical training centers that offer automotive curriculum.
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9. Why should I purchase the Smoke Pro™ Total-Tech instead of another smoke machine.
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There are many reasons to purchase The Smoke Pro™ over other machines. The Smoke Pro™ has a pressure gauge which allows the user to monitor the pressure in the system, assuring safe and accurate testing of the EVAP system. The Flow Control Valve on The Smoke Pro™ allows the user to control the amount of smoke exiting a leak, making the exact location easy to see. The Flow Control Valve also allows the user to lock out the system under test. This allows you to read the decay in pressure on the pressure gauge. The Smoke Pro™ uses pure mineral oil (baby oil) to produce smoke, unlike other machines that ask you to pay as much as $70 a bottle. Baby oil can be purchased at any drug store or market for a few dollars, and more importantly, it is safe to use. The Smoke Pro™ is made in America, it is machined from solid billet aerospace aluminum for a lifetime of service and best of all it is about half the price of our nearest competitor. The Smoke Pro™ is only sold through qualified representatives so that every customer receives the personal service they deserve.
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