Re: Vacuum Leak Detection

[Todd Young <tyoung@wamnet.com>]

Sorry, but I worked in a small garage for a year as a service coordinator.

The best mechanic in the place for diagnosing drivability problems with
computer controlled cars used propane all the time to find vacuum leaks.
He never expressed any worries about blowing himself up.

Just like using Liquid Wrench to clean your engine (see my previous),
the fumes from either instance would evaporate very quickly. Obviously
that's if you aren't trying to do this in a very small confined and
enclosed
area. Hopefully you don't use a match or lighter to help light your work
area!


Malcolm White wrote:

> >Who said vacuum leaks can be detected by wafting propane/butane around
> the
> >engine and hoses until the engine revs higher...indicating the gas has
> been
> >sucked in at the vacuum leak?
>
> Despite the fact that I don't understand how the propane ingression
> would increase the engine revs, what I do understand is that you
> wouldn't worry about the vacuum leak from the comfort of your hospital
> bed. Propane/butane vapor in the presence of such a potential source of
> ignition is foolhardy in the extreme. (And yes, I am speaking from
> experience as a commercial hot air balloon pilot who has to attend
> regular LPG fire training)
>
> Malcolm.



--
Todd Young              WAM!NET Inc.
tyoung@wamnet.com       6100 West 110th Street
612-886-5051            Bloomington, MN 55438-2664
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