Shop Series Smoke Machine - EVAP Vacuum Leak Tester

addition to my diagnostic tools. The unit produces a consistent, high-volume smoke output that makes it easy to locate vacuum leaks, EVAP system leaks, and intake issues quickly. Setup was straightforward, and the included accessories made it ready to use right out of the box.The build quality feels solid, and the machine heats up quickly without long wait times. I’ve used it on multiple vehicles and have been impressed with how well it pinpoints even small leaks that would otherwise be difficult to find. The pressure gauge and airflow control are helpful features that add confidence during testing.For DIY mechanics and professional technicians alike, this tool can save a lot of time compared to traditional troubleshooting methods. Overall, excellent value for the price and a worthwhile investment for anyone performing automotive diagnostics regularly

I recently saw a friend of mine using this smoke tester to detect leaks in his car and I was amazed by how efficient and effective it was so I decided to buy one just in case I might need it.Good quality, worth the price, easy to set up and use and the leak was detected in a snap.It smoked well, lightweight only weighs 3 pounds, not huge so can be easily stored and it comes with a lifetime warranty.I also like that it comes with the necessary tools to get it set up .I am very happy with my purchase.

Today is July 14, 2024, and I purchased this smoke machine back in Nov of 2022. I am not a mechanic but like to save money and save other people money as well. I've only used this smoke machine on three cars but smoked two of those cars twice and the other car once. So technically I've used the smoke machine only five times. Now where I live the local mechanics charge $99 to smoke test an EVAP system each time. So, I've saved myself, family and my neighbors some money.As for the Autoline Pro Shop Series Smoke Machine itself, it has worked well, but not great for only five (5) times being used. It comes with a really good common-sense instruction manual and a replacement heating element or wick. However, my 1st wick only lasted three (3) uses before burning in half. I installed the replacement wick and per the instruction manual I pre-soaked the wick thoroughly with a turkey baster and even left the wick soaking in smoke fluid for several minutes before using. But it burnt in half before I could find the leak in my EVAP system.I did a little research online and found people suggesting to us wire out of a bread toaster to make a smoke machine heating element, apparently heating element wire is made from Nichrome wire for repeated heating cycles without burning up or apart. Since I needed to fix my car that day, off to the kitchen for the toaster. What I found was the toaster uses a type of flat wire while the Autoline Pro uses a round thin wire for its heating wire.I pulled the flat toaster wire out, ran it through part of the wick and crimped it to the factory connections then I gave it a try. Voila! Worked like a charm! Plenty of smoke and no problems. My bread toaster was a two-slice toaster which had four panels with the Nichrome flat wire running through it. I only used a small 3-inch piece of the toaster wire and still have plenty left over if needed again.Now the Autoline Pro in the Amazon ad states it has a 1-year warranty, but the manual states a 3-year warranty. The Amazon ad also states "lifetime guarantee" so I contacted Autoline, and they were really great to deal with. Autoline told me that the heating element or wick has a lifetime warranty and they sent me out a replacement wick free of charge. They also sent me a free bottle of smoke fluid.Knowing that in a pinch I can make my own heating element out of toaster wire and that Autoline stands behind their products, I highly recommend Autoline to anyone who wants to save some money and do repairs yourself. I'm even looking at Autolines smoke machine Plus that produces its own air. No more need for an external air compressor.

I had a leaking valve cover on my Tundra. Confirmed the leak. Thought I fixed it but testing with smoke showed I had moved the gasket out of its groove in one spot. Fixed that, tested again and no smoke. Without the smoke tester I would have finished assembly, cleaned up the oil from the original leak, and not discovered the new leak until days later when I see a new oil spot under the truck. LOVE this tool!My Porsche 996 was throwing a P0102 code which could be a MAF or could be a vacuum leak. n the past I would have run it and sprayed starter fluid near all vacuum hoses looking for engine to speed up showing a leak in that area. Smoke test was sooo much easier and more reliable. No smoke so ordered a MAF.From now on any time I do a major repair I will smoke test periodically before its a 2 hour rewind to fix a leak. I like built in pressure regulator which allows you to pressure test crankcase + intake under gentle but enough pressure. I used shop gloves with cut off finger tip to make airtight seals around throttle body and oil fill when needed.4 stars because the heating element was "open circuit" out of the box. I had to move it around to get a bad connection to make after which it started working as expected.

Excellent product I was able to use parts of one with the previous one I bought and it works beautifully. Thank you so much. 🤗

This thing worked great to find a leak in my intake system. Simple and easy to use right out of the box. Wonderful investment for the price!

I am updating my review to 5 stars due to the following. Correspondence from Sam, co-founder and product quality. Sam apologized for the defective heating element on the first one shipped and offered to send a new coil but i had returned it already. He assured me it was just a defective heating unit, so I reordered it again and he also sent follow up messages with tips. This is good customer service, The American Way and how it should be.The replacement unit worked as it should. Suggestion from Sam was to pour the oil on top of the wick which I did and let it soak in. I did it the night before. The machine works and blows lots of smoke. Perfect, found the leaks quick. Now the bad part. I need to fix the leaks, not just a simple hose.I Originally purchased this unit due to other 5 star reviews and it was a major plus it is made in the U.S.A. As soon as I opened the box I could tell the quality of the unit was good.I tend to NOT buy made in China products at every level and especially if it is shipped from there. I always look to buy USA and support our own even if it's more because I know it is going to Americans!In summary, the unit works and does what it is designed to do. The customer service and response not from a rep but the co-founder is a big plus. You do not get that often. And the design and quality are good.Thank you Sam.Now to get busy fixing this car.

Autoline Pro's smoke machine worked flawlessly right of of the box. The instructions were straightforward and easy to follow, and the amount of smoke produced was fantastic. I was able to locate the EVAP system problems in about 15 minutes of setup and operation. The machine is well built and definitely worth the price.

Marche très bien et facile à utiliser. Génère une très belle fumée pour identifier facilement les fuites. Le réducteur de pression incorporé est un plus car on peut utiliser l'appareil avec n'importe quel compresseur. Le seul bémol est l'odeur dégagée par l'huile minérale fournie avec l'appareil, c'est vraiment désagréable. La prochaine fois j'utiliserai une huile pour bébé en espérant que cela sente meilleur.

The smoke machine was exactly as advertised. It is well-made from quality materials and includes additional parts that may be needed (fuse, nut). Instructions were very easy to follow. Everything worked perfectly and I was able to identity air leaks. I highly recommend this product.

Easy to use

Good product, nothing special about it over other similar products. I would strongly recommend getting a different machine as most come with a bunch of attachments that will no doubt be needed.Also don't buy their smoke fluid, its expensive and not required.This is a very basic machine so you don't have to over think it. Get something cheaper with more accessories, this is meant to steer you into buying a bunch of add ons.

Just awesome. If you don't have a friend with one of these, be the guy that buys one and reap the rewards of everyone that needs to find a pesky vacuum/boost leak come by with beer in hand asking to borrow it.It's costs a litte more than some other competing model out there, but build quality is great, and it's a lot cleaner and quicker than sticking a White Owl in your hand pump or whatever other nonsense is the DIY method. Maybe not the tool if you only ever plan on using it once, but if you work on cars at all regularly, you won't be upset that you picked on up.