Finding vacuum leaks with Propane ?
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: OAK CREEK USA
Finding vacuum leaks with Propane ?
I was talking to an auto parts house yesterday, and the man on the phone talked about finding vacuum leaks with propane.
He said that the "unlit" propane when placed near the leaking vacuum line would make the engine speed go up.
He said that I could find the leaky vacuum hose with a propane torch "unlit".
Has anyone tried this, and does this work ?
Thanks,
Gene
1996 F150 4X4 XLT EXT. CAB 201000 MILES
He said that the "unlit" propane when placed near the leaking vacuum line would make the engine speed go up.
He said that I could find the leaky vacuum hose with a propane torch "unlit".
Has anyone tried this, and does this work ?
Thanks,
Gene
1996 F150 4X4 XLT EXT. CAB 201000 MILES
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Finding vacuum leaks with Propane ?
Yes, propane does work as does carb cleaner and both are dangerous and flamable so be careful when using them. 5.0 engines are known for having intake manifold leaks between the upper and lower halves. This would be a good place to start.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Glen Burnie Maryland
Finding vacuum leaks with Propane ?
Originally posted by Bubba Shrimp
What's wrong with using good ole carb cleaner?
What's wrong with using good ole carb cleaner?
Carb Cleaner has a VERY LOW FLASH POINT which in most cases is very near room temperature, which is why the can emphatically states DO NOT SPRAY NEAR HOT SURFACES!!!!
Where on the other hand Propane has a fairly high (in comparision) flash point, and usually WILL NOT ignite if a flow is pointed to a hot surface (unless that surface is incandescently hot).
Propane is easier to control than carb cleaner when using it to look for vacuum leaks and is actually a more stable compound to enrich the mixture.
Mechanics have been using propane for at least 30-40 years that I know of.
Larry
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From: Live Oak, FL
Finding vacuum leaks with Propane ?
Originally posted by larry derouin
FLASH POINTS!
Carb Cleaner has a VERY LOW FLASH POINT which in most cases is very near room temperature, which is why the can emphatically states DO NOT SPRAY NEAR HOT SURFACES!!!!
Where on the other hand Propane has a fairly high (in comparision) flash point, and usually WILL NOT ignite if a flow is pointed to a hot surface (unless that surface is incandescently hot).
Propane is easier to control than carb cleaner when using it to look for vacuum leaks and is actually a more stable compound to enrich the mixture.
Mechanics have been using propane for at least 30-40 years that I know of. Larry
FLASH POINTS!
Carb Cleaner has a VERY LOW FLASH POINT which in most cases is very near room temperature, which is why the can emphatically states DO NOT SPRAY NEAR HOT SURFACES!!!!
Where on the other hand Propane has a fairly high (in comparision) flash point, and usually WILL NOT ignite if a flow is pointed to a hot surface (unless that surface is incandescently hot).
Propane is easier to control than carb cleaner when using it to look for vacuum leaks and is actually a more stable compound to enrich the mixture.
Mechanics have been using propane for at least 30-40 years that I know of. Larry
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 299
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From: central valley California
Finding vacuum leaks with Propane ?
i have used propane on many leak checks when servicing both gas engines an diesel engines. it does indeed cause the engine to rev up and change in pitch(noise of detination) propane is indeed the safer of the two i have personally seen carb cleaner light off when testing for vac leaks and the damage it can cause is not worth its use as a leak tester. best to use the propane with a flexible hose nossle system if you have one can get into more places and keep the propane in a specific area of the engine instead of a generalised area.
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From: Minnesota
carb cleaner & WD-40? work? yes. Messy! YES!!!
carb cleaner & WD-40? work? yes. Messy! YES!!!
Anything that is a spray would be a negative. Lack of control (its gonna get on stuff you don't want it on) and MESSY!!!
Anything that is a spray would be a negative. Lack of control (its gonna get on stuff you don't want it on) and MESSY!!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Greenwood In. USA
Propane Facts
The flash point for Propane (that is the temperature it will auto ignite) is -156degrees (thats right negative) The Ignition temp is 920-1120 degrees. and the limits of flammability 2.15% to 9.6% gas to air. Propane is heavier than air so it will pool in low places.
So just remember work in a well ventilated area put out your smokes and if you have a water heater or gas furnace a floor level turn it off and make sure the pilots out.
Regards
The flash point for Propane (that is the temperature it will auto ignite) is -156degrees (thats right negative) The Ignition temp is 920-1120 degrees. and the limits of flammability 2.15% to 9.6% gas to air. Propane is heavier than air so it will pool in low places.
So just remember work in a well ventilated area put out your smokes and if you have a water heater or gas furnace a floor level turn it off and make sure the pilots out.
Regards
New User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17
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From: Minnesota
Speaking of flammable substances. . .
When I was in the military, someone had the bright idea to use starting fluid to seat a tire to the rim.
They didnt do it at the time, but might have tried it later. the point is, I sensed such an idea to be WAY too dangerous to even consider.
Has anyone ever done such a thing? mounted a tire (split rim or otherwise) on a rim, and due to a lack of a compressed air supply, used starting fluid/ether to seat the bead?
The guy suggested that we spray some ether into the tire while it was on flat the ground (unmounted from the truck) and still unseated from the rim. He suggested that we throw a burning rag or something from a distance and try to get the flaming object to land near the tire so the ether would ignite, thus exploding and forcing the tire to seat onto the rim.
My fear was that this was an uncontrolled method and nothing to prevent the tire from blowing up and OFF the rim due to excessive pressure inside from the ether.
Anyone ever try this?
Just wondering. Kind of off topic, but somewhat related.
Thanks
Doug
They didnt do it at the time, but might have tried it later. the point is, I sensed such an idea to be WAY too dangerous to even consider.
Has anyone ever done such a thing? mounted a tire (split rim or otherwise) on a rim, and due to a lack of a compressed air supply, used starting fluid/ether to seat the bead?
The guy suggested that we spray some ether into the tire while it was on flat the ground (unmounted from the truck) and still unseated from the rim. He suggested that we throw a burning rag or something from a distance and try to get the flaming object to land near the tire so the ether would ignite, thus exploding and forcing the tire to seat onto the rim.
My fear was that this was an uncontrolled method and nothing to prevent the tire from blowing up and OFF the rim due to excessive pressure inside from the ether.
Anyone ever try this?
Just wondering. Kind of off topic, but somewhat related.
Thanks
Doug
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Seen it on discovery channel with 2 heavily modified 4runners( i think they were) goin accross the artic running bout 6 pounds of air in them and 1 tire came off the rim they used the starting fluid trick. looked pretty cool. Wheel jumped bout 8 inches off the ground when it sealed up.