|
Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring.... |
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management |
![]() |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#21
|
|||
|
|||
__________________
'06 X5 3.0i - bought @143,123 miles (12/26/20) Last edited by X5chemist; 11-19-2023 at 07:03 PM. |
Sponsored Links | |
|
#22
|
||||
|
||||
I'll probably replace all the rubber parts, anyway
Quote:
By the way, it seems the real (not my homemade junk) smoke tester I ordered went missing before it reached me, so it might be awhile.
__________________
01 BMW X5 E53,3.0i-5L40E, 7/13/01 topas-blau,Leder-grau,"resto-project car" Here: 14 Lexus ES350,3.5L-U660E 09 HHR Panel,2.2L-4T45E 04 Chevy 2500HD,6.0L-4L80E 98 GMC Sierra 1500,5.7L-4L60E Gone: 66 Chevelle Malibu 2dr ht.,327>441c.i.-TH350>PGlide/transbrake 08 Cobalt Coupe,2.2L-4T45E 69 & 75 C10s,350c.i.-TH350 86 S10,2.8L-700R4 73 Volvo 142,2.0L-MT4 72 & 73 VW SuperBeetles,1.6l-MT4 64 VW,1.2l-MT4 67 Dodge Monaco 500 2dr ht.,383c.i.-A727 56 Chevy 210 4dr,265c.i.-PGlide |
#23
|
||||
|
||||
I think I've got a smoke tester that'll work! finally
17 days ago I showed three smoke testers for around $75 each, that I liked, after perusing Amazon & Ebay for a long time. https://xoutpost.com/1234590-post14.html
I had tried to repair my home-built tester, but the replacement heat source (another old soldering iron, like the first) didn't last but a minute, so I decided to quit wasting time and money on my own handiwork, and buy a commercially-marketed unit. I waited nine days before I ordered one from my short list, and five more days for it to be delivered (it went missing for a couple). It arrived with the heater element broken. I wasn't sure if it had been damaged in transit (while it was missing), though the packaging looked pristine, or if the seller had lousy quality control. I contacted both Amazon and the seller, and another unit was sent...broken in the same fashion (heat wiring broken/missing). I was told to keep the first (by the seller) and return the second (by Amazon...I don't understand why not return both?), and I was promised a discount once I purchased another brand (as compensation for my time spent waiting for the testers to arrive, and 1.5 hours of my time invested on phone calls and chats with them). So, I just received the AutoLine Pro Automotive Smoke Machine, which was listed for $102 on 11-23-23 (as a Black Friday special...down from $120). My promised discount/compensation will be the difference between what I paid for the non-functional unit(s) and the $102 sale price of the other brand. P.S. the new Cyber Monday price has dropped to $95...maybe I can renegotiate? ![]() This Autoline unit is built much better than the AKWH units, which I had bought thinking that they were just cheaper clones ($44 cheaper, at that time) of it. I guess you get what you pay for sometimes, since the Autoline is sturdier, sealed better, packaged better, and was inspected/sealed/initialed before shipping. Though the AKWH seller was nice/generous/apologetic, he'd be better served by hiring a product inspection/quality control team. I was trying to save a few bucks (to spend on parts) by buying an offshore product, instead of the made-in-USA Autoline unit that it was a copy of. It was the Autoline unit that I'd really wanted, but again, I was on a fool's errand trying to save money. Still, I'm actually hesitant to test it anyway, since I'm somehow feeling jinxed at this point. And, by the way, with everyone on all the various BMW forums always pushing for smoke testing, why have I never seen anyone ever give a product review or recommendation for a smoke tester?????
__________________
01 BMW X5 E53,3.0i-5L40E, 7/13/01 topas-blau,Leder-grau,"resto-project car" Here: 14 Lexus ES350,3.5L-U660E 09 HHR Panel,2.2L-4T45E 04 Chevy 2500HD,6.0L-4L80E 98 GMC Sierra 1500,5.7L-4L60E Gone: 66 Chevelle Malibu 2dr ht.,327>441c.i.-TH350>PGlide/transbrake 08 Cobalt Coupe,2.2L-4T45E 69 & 75 C10s,350c.i.-TH350 86 S10,2.8L-700R4 73 Volvo 142,2.0L-MT4 72 & 73 VW SuperBeetles,1.6l-MT4 64 VW,1.2l-MT4 67 Dodge Monaco 500 2dr ht.,383c.i.-A727 56 Chevy 210 4dr,265c.i.-PGlide Last edited by workingonit; 11-25-2023 at 06:36 PM. |
#24
|
|||
|
|||
I have never done a smoke test and don't have a smoke tester but may eventually buy one so I appreciate you sharing your experience and look forward toward your review
![]()
__________________
1988 325is (purchased new) sold 2004 X5 3.0 2005 X3 2.5 2008 X5 3.0 (new to me) |
#25
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Good luck!
__________________
'06 X5 3.0i - bought @143,123 miles (12/26/20) |
#26
|
||||
|
||||
"too many hoses and gaskets, the X5 has" -Yoda
Quote:
As for finding vacuum leaks (anywhere near or leading to the intake), I always used carb cleaner or starting fluid, or on other leaks (like to the brake booster or vacuum-powered windshield wipers...on pre-60's GM cars) I preferred to use soapy water. I've never had to use smoke before the X5. I was quoted $150 or more for a shop to smoke test for me; that just rubbed me wrong. I'd rather spend that amount or more, buying my own tester, and replacing every possibly-leaking part (via parts cannon) before paying some kids to blow smoke into my car (it'd feel more like blowing smoke up my ass). Especially if they said they couldn't find a leak.
__________________
01 BMW X5 E53,3.0i-5L40E, 7/13/01 topas-blau,Leder-grau,"resto-project car" Here: 14 Lexus ES350,3.5L-U660E 09 HHR Panel,2.2L-4T45E 04 Chevy 2500HD,6.0L-4L80E 98 GMC Sierra 1500,5.7L-4L60E Gone: 66 Chevelle Malibu 2dr ht.,327>441c.i.-TH350>PGlide/transbrake 08 Cobalt Coupe,2.2L-4T45E 69 & 75 C10s,350c.i.-TH350 86 S10,2.8L-700R4 73 Volvo 142,2.0L-MT4 72 & 73 VW SuperBeetles,1.6l-MT4 64 VW,1.2l-MT4 67 Dodge Monaco 500 2dr ht.,383c.i.-A727 56 Chevy 210 4dr,265c.i.-PGlide |
#27
|
||||
|
||||
concerning the three smoke testers I have on hand
Quote:
Though the seller sent defective merchandise twice (thru Amazon), why should I benefit, and he and Amazon lose money? No malice intended, I'm sure. But in a face-to-face transaction where someone tries to cheat me, I'm not so forgiving...just saying....
__________________
01 BMW X5 E53,3.0i-5L40E, 7/13/01 topas-blau,Leder-grau,"resto-project car" Here: 14 Lexus ES350,3.5L-U660E 09 HHR Panel,2.2L-4T45E 04 Chevy 2500HD,6.0L-4L80E 98 GMC Sierra 1500,5.7L-4L60E Gone: 66 Chevelle Malibu 2dr ht.,327>441c.i.-TH350>PGlide/transbrake 08 Cobalt Coupe,2.2L-4T45E 69 & 75 C10s,350c.i.-TH350 86 S10,2.8L-700R4 73 Volvo 142,2.0L-MT4 72 & 73 VW SuperBeetles,1.6l-MT4 64 VW,1.2l-MT4 67 Dodge Monaco 500 2dr ht.,383c.i.-A727 56 Chevy 210 4dr,265c.i.-PGlide |
#28
|
|||
|
|||
$10 smoke machine.
I have that Harbor Freight fluid pump. I need a cheap cigar!
__________________
'06 X5 3.0i - bought @143,123 miles (12/26/20) |
#29
|
||||
|
||||
save the cigar for a victory smoke
Quote:
It was worth the money spent, and I keep it handy, along with my other "fluid transfer tools" (cheap pump, 12v pump, turkey baster, Vacuum Pump Brake Bleeder Kit...no direct fluid contact, Motive Products Power Bleeder 2-Quart Tank with Hose and Adapter). I wouldn't bother with the cigar, though, but maybe you should get an AutoLine Pro Automotive Smoke Machine Leak Detector EVAP Vacuum Diagnostic Tester | Shop Series | Assembled in the USA, like I finally did. I haven't actually used mine yet (it's always something else), but I'm sure it'll do the job. Maybe you'd prefer the self-contained air pump model, but I have a compressor handy, so I didn't get it. Here' a video I found yesterday about it: https://youtu.be/0sCT81zUiOQ
__________________
01 BMW X5 E53,3.0i-5L40E, 7/13/01 topas-blau,Leder-grau,"resto-project car" Here: 14 Lexus ES350,3.5L-U660E 09 HHR Panel,2.2L-4T45E 04 Chevy 2500HD,6.0L-4L80E 98 GMC Sierra 1500,5.7L-4L60E Gone: 66 Chevelle Malibu 2dr ht.,327>441c.i.-TH350>PGlide/transbrake 08 Cobalt Coupe,2.2L-4T45E 69 & 75 C10s,350c.i.-TH350 86 S10,2.8L-700R4 73 Volvo 142,2.0L-MT4 72 & 73 VW SuperBeetles,1.6l-MT4 64 VW,1.2l-MT4 67 Dodge Monaco 500 2dr ht.,383c.i.-A727 56 Chevy 210 4dr,265c.i.-PGlide |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
|