Combustion leak detection

Hey bensauto! I've used that hand held Snap-On model, and was not impressed at all. The shop I was working for at the time got one for the same reason as you, testing for blown head gaskets. I ended up using it on some known bad gaskets and didn't see a thing on the five gas.

Sensitivity is one problem, but the biggest problem is the length of hose and the vacuum pump in the tester. It can be 30 second to a full minute between showing the hose end hydrocarbons, and it actually showing up on the display. If it shows up at all.

Honestly, I think you'd be better off with a cheaper tool. :lol: Strange as it may sound.

Thanks Tyler! I appreciate it!

Had the chance to expand on this test Ro-longo first posted about. 2000-something Accord came in with an obviously blown head gasket. While I'm waiting, I connect the homebrew pressure pulse tester to the radiator and an ignition sync. Please excuse the poor photography. :blush:





If I'm looking at it right, three cylinders (#1, 2 and 3) are blown. :lol:

It looks like the Homebrew FLS work pretty well. Do you have pics of the build?

I'm in for more info as well

Chad wrote: It looks like the Homebrew FLS work pretty well. Do you have pics of the build?

Actually, it's dead right now. :lol: :blush: I was using it on a suspected blown head gasket, but didn't suck enough coolant out of the radiator before cranking the engine. Filled the sensor to the brim.

I can get pictures for anyone interested. Got the electronic bits from Digikey, and the PVC from Home Depot. I was going to buy a Nicholson pulse sensor, but the website is down.

Yes the Nicholson website has been shut down recently. I contacted him through Facebook. Told me he was having too much issues and worries. Very nice guy. His new challenge is to bring more scopes to the industry.

This is a pretty cool application for the FLS too

Pretty smart