Working on these cars is a constant challenge. I find myself constantly thinking there-has-got-to-a-better-way. Sometimes ideas evolve enough to actually be helpful, sometimes they just don't make the cut.

This page is about the ones that didn't make it.

First up is for the turbo guys. Boost is an absolutely wonderful thing with addiction-like qualities. But when it doesn't work it really bites. Most times the problem is a plumbing thing - a leaky intake gasket, a split hose, a loose clamp. All things easy to fix but hard to troubleshoot.  I have a test adapter that is pretty popular, kinda surprising since its just a 2" copper pipe cap with a Schrader valve threaded into it. Anyone could make one if they were to take the time. I set out to expand on that idea thinking if I could add smoke to the adapter, I could make troubleshooting easier. This is what I came up with...

Yea, and it does work, well mostly. Just hook this puppy up to your intercooler, insert a lit cigarette and apply artificial boost (compressed air). Sure enough the smoke has to go somewhere and sure enough it comes out at the point of the leak.

Problem, first, a cigarette under full boost (1 bar) lasts about 7 seconds. You have to be pretty quick to locate the leak in that time. Maybe the cigarette would last longer at pressures lower than 15 pounds but a lot of boost problems only happen at full boost.

Problem 2, its very easy to over-pressurize the boost system and I was worried that people might damage their cars with this tool. I would have to have all sorts of disclaimers and legal stuff.

Problem 3, the 1.5 inch PVC pipe doesn't fit the intercooler fitting as well as the copper cap. In cold temperatures, its a pain to even get it connected.

Problem 4, although it seems simple, it takes time to put one of these together and with a margin for profit, the cost would be somewhere above $35. If it was half of that, it might be worth it. I guess I just don't have the killer instinct for marketing.

So, this one goes into the rejected category.  If you would like to make your own waveguide bong, the parts are all available from the local hardware store. Let me know if you can make it work or improve on the idea.

By the way, I first saw this idea in 1975. I was at that time a young Radar technician working on F-4 aircraft systems. Radars use waveguide, a sort of conduit for the RF energy that is transmitted/received. That waveguide has a lot connection points and if they leak, pressure is lost and without the dielectric of the compressed air the waveguide just doesn't work. Some guys back in the sixties came up with this "test set." It was banned of course but still popular.