RE: Vacuum Leak Detection

[Phil Rose <pjrose@servtech.com>]

>Date: Thu, 11 Jun 1998 09:24:18 +0100
>From: Malcolm White <M.White@sni.co.uk>
>Subject: RE: Vacuum Leak Detection
>
>>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.

AFAIK, the procedure is _not_ to drive the vehicle into a garage filled
with propane or butane gas, but rather involves momentarily directing the
gas (a few tens of milliliters at std. temperature and pressure) at the
location of a potential manifold leak. If combustible gas is inhaled by the
engine, it will presumably surge, momentarily. If not inhaled, I'd expect
the small amount of gas disperses in the ambient surroundings. How does
this translate into extreme foolhardiness?

Phil

Phil Rose		Rochester, NY
'89 100
'91 200q		pjrose@servtech.com