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Tracing compressed air system leak

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by Pascal, Mar 21, 2026.

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  1. Pascal, Mar 21, 2026
    #1
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Trying to find a way to find a leak in our compressed air system. Air compressor runs fine and builds pressure in the tank but once the tank outlet valve is open, pressure drops and never builds again. Tried to listen for air leaks, sprayed soapy water on visible connections. No luck.

    it s long hose run from the compressor in the ER to the horn solenoid valve in the skylounge, including a second accumulator tank and a drain pipe going back down to the ER…

    i considered using pressurized water but draining it all afterward may be be tough and the leak could cause water damage

    Has anyone used an automotive smoke generator ? Provides up to 7 PSI or pressure.
  2. Norseman, Mar 21, 2026
    #2
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Smoke in the system then look for a leak at night using a flash light at each joint/connection.
    I had to use the same method to find a small diesel exhaust leak, I could smell the exhaust in day light but couldn’t see it, at night I could with a flash light, very small leak, but I was ****..Still is.:cool:
  3. Capt Ralph, Mar 21, 2026
    #3
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I had to remove one of our original air hoses to the fly-bridge air horns.
    The steel jacket had rusted thru and the hose developed a micro fish lip in a bend, after the helm window mullion.

    I wonder if Lucas; Smoke in a can, could help. You push a Jag and should know about this.

    If I recall; There is an emissions smoke leak kit that the better shops threaten to use but I know nothing about it. Every now or then my GMC develops an error code of a small emissions leak. I just clear the code from my c-phone and keep rolling.

    You may also want to push some nitrogen (or freon) in and a hand held gas detector may detect it.
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2026
    LenR likes this.
  4. Capt J, Mar 21, 2026
    #4
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    If you're losing that much air, you should be able to hear it or spray windex on fittings and find it.
  5. Pascal, Mar 22, 2026
    #5
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    The problem is that some fittings are very hard reach as the hose going to the horn runs behind the chillers in the ER then behind salon cabinetry then in the space behind on the side of the skyloung3 where the second accumulator tank is. And in the ER the hose runs behind a bunch of panels … major pita.

    I ordered a smoke generator that builds 15 psi of pressure… under $100.
  6. d_meister, Mar 22, 2026
    #6
    d_meister

    d_meister Senior Member

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    I'm hoping for a good report on this device, and a link. I don't need one, but I do operate a private tool museum:)
    chesapeake46 and leeky like this.
  7. Pascal, May 22, 2026 at 11:19 AM
    #7
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Forgot to update this thread.

    the automotive smoke machine worked great. I was concerned about not having enough air and smoke volume to fill the system incl the air tank in the Skylounge and the all the plumbing but it did

    turned out the leak was a popped nylon compression fitting right before the Skylounge air tank which was hidden under a shelf

    Attached Files:

    Capt Ralph likes this.
  8. Pascal, May 22, 2026 at 11:21 AM
    #8
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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