Apparently a faulty rear main engine seal is causing the fuel trims to become very unstable and the car's developed a substantial miss. The smoke machine is the only way to track this apparently common VW problem down. 

You could have sprayed this engine with brake clean all day and the numbers would not have changed.

Imagine telling the customer that rough running is from a bad rear main seal.

I'd never believe the guy that would tell me. However these German cars are just so finicky

Sent from my twisted mind of the mudman

Quote from: stokester on May 05, 2024, 03:53:56 PM

I've never heard of a smoke machine used for an intake/vacuum leak.

My use was limited to EVAP leaks which can be very hard to find.

On a side note I still cannot get used to mechanics wearing watches and rings while working on vehicles.  My military training coming through.

Intake/vacuum leak is a very common use for a smoke machine.

I'm still old school and use carb cleaner...

Sent from my twisted mind of the mudman

I have heard of smoke machines and understand how they work, just can't justify the expense, one old duffer playing in the shop you know.

...Tools from the following countries I don't trust to be high quality and accurate. (I could be wrong, but don't know) Russia, Poland, Ukraine, and of course China.

Russia doesn't need accuracy, because they have nukes. If they get within a mile or two, that's close enough!   

Picked up the new Amish cooler unit with the Avalanche. Removed from packaging and inspect it..




Laid refrigerator down inside the motorhome. The removed old cooler unit along with all the wiring, etc. Along with removing all the mastic sealant



It took three times of ups and downs in order to line up all the screws. Then added mastic sealant and screws. Filled gaps with spray foam insulation. Then used foil duct tape.  Done at last.


Need to put the wires, fans, drain lines etc back. Then install the refrigerator in place, Connect propane, AC and DC electrics. Install doors and fire the baby up..

My 0-4" mics are Starrett I bought new, the 5&6" were only added about 10-15 years ago. New Mitutoyo bought dirt cheap thanks to a hot tip from member Elroy. Then 6-8 months ago I started buying a broad range of machinist goodies from Ebay several of which were mics. I now have mics up to 10" (I can't imagine I will ever use those big sizes but don't regret buying them) Most of the mics I bought were Brown and Sharpe, Lufkin, Scherr Tumico,  and even one German made mic of unknown pedigree.  Now I have more Brown and Sharpe and Lufkin/Pratt & Whitney than Starrett.

I think a lot of guys only look at Mitutoyo and Starrett brands. Those are not the brands to look at for guys like me with shallow pockets! I still favor both brands but have come to appreciate a number of other brands and purchased some of them in the last year. I now include in my tool searches tools from England, Germany and Japan.

Tools from the following countries I don't trust to be high quality and accurate. (I could be wrong, but don't know) Russia, Poland, Ukraine, and of course China.