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DIY Smoke test questions

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    #1

    DIY Smoke test questions

    Today I did a smoke test using the garage built tester that JGood wrote about here:

    http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...diy+smoke+test

    It worked great, and revealed three leaks:
    Brake booster vacuum hose
    Charcoal cannister valve to intake hose
    And the one that surprised me: near the electrical connector of the ICV.

    It was easy to fix the hoses for the brake booster, but I had some questions about the others that I hope someone might know.

    For the hose from the charcoal cannister valve to the bottom of the intake manifold: the hose looks like it has been replaced, but has no hose clamps on it. To get to the top fitting, can I simply remove the throttle body, or does the whole intake manifold need to come off?

    For the ICV, has anyone ever seen smoke leaking from around the electrical connector? I can't imagine that is normal and I am guessing that I need to replace it.

    I didn't think to take any pictures during my work, but here's photo of my dirty e30 I took on a sunny day:

    Tags: None
    #2
    The one from the charcoal canister connects to the bottom of the throttle body. No need to take the intake manifold off. You should even be able to just pull it off without removing the throttle body. Not sure about the ICV
    What it feels like owning an e30:

    88 325 S50 swap in progress
    90 325ix

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      #3
      I'm considering taking this approach to hunt down a rough idle symptom I'm having. What did you use as your connection point to the intake system? I was thinking on using the point where the FPR connects to the throttle body.
      If I were to use this point, will I have to "pinch" the tube connected to the FPR?
      Glad you were able to find your leaks.
      Victor
      Victor
      Rides...
      E30 325i - 1990
      F30 328i - 2014 (DD)
      F25 X3 - 2016 (Family car)
      1974 - 2002 (The ruler of the stable) SOLD

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        #4
        I can feel where that tube connects to the bottom of the intake, but just barely. I don't see how I could fit a hose clamp without removing something. I'll try just taking off the throttle body first.

        I carefully pulled the hose off the FPR and put the nozzle of a blow gun with a small tip in that hose. The fit was good enough that i didn't have to pinch the hose. Also, I replaced the FPR recently, so I didn't suspect it as a leak point.

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          #5
          The right way to inject the smoke is via the plug that you use to replace the AFM.
          The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
          Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

          Comment

            #6
            Originally posted by jlevie View Post
            The right way to inject the smoke is via the plug that you use to replace the AFM.
            After I was finished and had put everything away, I had that exact thought. I'll do it that way when I re-test.

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