Abstract: A method for detecting leaks in a fluid system such as, but not limited to, the evaporative or air brake system of a motor vehicle. A smoke generating machine produces a supply of smoke to be delivered to the system under test. At least some of a mixture of oil and fluorescent dye is heated and vaporized into smoke within a sealed chamber. The smoke functions as a carrier for the dye. Some of the smoke which is delivered to the system under test from the chamber will exit a leak (e.g. a hole), and the fluorescent dye carried by the smoke will leave a fluorescent trace around the leak. By shining ultraviolet light along the system under test, the fluorescent trace around the leak will be illuminated. Accordingly, even small leaks may be quickly, easily and reliably located for repair.

Abstract: A chamber for producing smoke having particular application for detecting and locating leaks in a fluid system. Sealed within a smoke producing chamber is a supply of fluid that is adapted to be vaporized into smoke. An air inlet tube having an inlet orifice runs through the supply of fluid. When air is pumped through the air inlet tube, some of the fluid is drawn via the inlet orifice into the tube and blown against a heating element that extends laterally across the chamber above the supply of fluid, whereby the fluid is vaporized into smoke. The smoke exits the chamber through an air outlet tube so as to be introduced, by way of a flexible smoke supply conduit, to the system to be tested.