An old timer at a shop in Phoenix showed me his trick for finding vacuum leaks with a cigar

Harper Gibson · 2026-10-02T01:55:04.30258+00:00

I was stuck on a rough idle on a 2004 F-150 for two days, smoke machine was busted and I was about to start guessing at gaskets. An old timer named Ray who rents a bay next to mine walked over, lit a cigar, and just blew smoke around the intake while I cranked it. Took about 30 seconds and we watched the smoke get sucked in at the number 3 runner, cracked plastic boot I never would have spotted with a light. He told me he's been doing it since the 70s and a cheap cigar beats a $300 machine most days. I've used that trick probably 15 times since and it hasn't failed me yet. Anyone else got old school tests they still trust over the fancy tools?

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An old timer at a shop in Phoenix showed me his trick for finding vacuum leaks with a cigar | Auto Mechanics - Topic Shares