New tool finds intake, exhaust leaks quickly

[kscarbel2]

Fleet Owner / January 28, 2015

A high-pressure diagnostic leak detector for medium- and heavy-duty diesels was introduced by Redline Detection at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week. THe HD PowerSmoke can replicate high-pressure boost loads in both intake and exhaust systems with the engine off to safely and quickly identify leaks, according to the manufacturer.

Using a proprietary bladder to pressurize intake and exhaust systems, it lets a technician complete a diagnostic leak test without major engine disassembly within 10 minutes, according to Redline, which has long built a similar "power smoke" tool for light-duty diesels.

The test can identify the root causes of problems such as excessive regeneration of diesel particulate filters (DPFs), plugged DPFs and other leak-related problems that trip engine warning codes.

The new tool allows technicians to vary test pressures from 2 to 20 PSI. It creates a dense, long-hanging vapor that can be seen easily even with minor leaks. Unlike dyes used by other diagnostic tools, the vapor does not coat sensors or void warranties, according to Redline, which reported that HDPowerSmoke has just been mandated as an essential tool by one major U.S. truck maker.