Where to hook up smoke machine?

[rick4484]

BlackBart, it's a Autoline Pro. I didn't buy the accessories, so far I've been able to use it without them. But, I think I would like to get the gas cap adapter so I can check for leaks there.

https://www.autolinepro.com/

I've never used a smoke machine before, was too afraid to spray chemicals or use propane to search for vacuum leaks. A smoke machine really makes it easy to find them, and now I feel empowered to go after vacuum leaks!! I was expecting to see smoke coming out of the filler neck or from the hoses connected to the in-tank fuel pump. Either I didn't hook onto the right hose or there are no leaks at the gas tank. I suspect I didn't hook onto the right hose because things just don't go that well when I'm working on a car.

Making a smoke machine is fine if you want to spend time and money running around purchasing the parts, then taking the time to build it, then hoping it works the way it should. I didn't see much of a savings. Personally, the money I spent was well worth it to me. The air pressure is critical, so the fixed regulator, included, ensures you won't over pressurize your system and create more leaks. The one I bought has a 3 year warranty, and I feel better that people who make these by the hundreds have done their homework and will stand behind it.

[99TurboBrick]

You'll need to cut off the rubber grommet, but I believe you also have to file or dremel off the plastic lip of the PTC. Here's a before and after of mine.

Just a thought, if during installation there's more dialogue on this, maybe a new thread for installing the turbo inlet hose would be in order, just to help future readers. I have lots of other pics of the install, if you need anything.

[99TurboBrick]

Just FYI, here's a good thread that discusses some of this.

ipd's modified turbo intake hose? has anybody tried it?
viewtopic.php?t=48893

[abscate]

Wouldn’t tinder be a natural place to hook up a smoke machine??

[BlackBart]

Smoke gets in your eyyyyes....

[rick4484]

Hahahahahahaha......I see this post is devolving into something other than what was intended. The sooner I get this problem resolved the better, so we won't see things like this:

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[rick4484]

99TurbBrick, thanks for submitting the photos. I'm still waiting for the shipment from IPD but, in the mean time, I found a IPD Youtube video showing the modification of the PTC using a grinding stone wheel. The Youtube video is for a different model than mine but the procedure is probably the same. I have a fixed grinder like the one shown in the video, so I'll try that, and may use a Dremel tool to make refinements.

Looking through the comments of this Youtube video, I noticed a person describing how things don't line up that well, that he had to make additional modifications such as lengthening the electrical connection for the PTC plug/socket, as well as a few other things. Just wondering if you found similar obstacles requiring the need to do extra things beyond modifying the PTC.

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[abscate]

If you don’t orient the PTC orfice correctly On the snorkel the plug won’t reach. It faces forward when correct.

[rick4484]

Is there a special way to separate the PTC from the air inlet tube, other than brute force? Do I need to cut the rubber grommet first? I've tried spinning the PTC in various ways to see if there is a release area. I've spun the grommet too, but still it's not budging and I don't want to break it. I searched Google and on this forum for a way to separate the PTC from it's position in the tube, but found nothing.

UPDATE:
GOT IT OUT OF THE TUBE. I cut the rubber grommet on both sides and used a pair of channel lock to work it out of the tube.

[rick4484]

UPDATE: SOLVED: Tracking down vacuum leaks was always a hit or miss for me, especially if you don't have the right tools. The smoke test machine ($120.00) was a tremendous help, and showed me two major leaks under the hood. After replacing vacuum lines, the PCV system, and the turbo air inlet tube, I smoke tested again and found no visible leaks. I looked for smoke all the way back to the gas tank and found nothing. I drove the car for about 100 miles over a two day period, the third day the P0455 was back. So, I switched out the AutoZone gas cap with a genuine Volvo cap, cleared the code, and drove another 100 miles over a three day period. No CEL and the car runs well. I took the car in for a smog test and it PASSED!