Solary Automotive Smoke Machine Leak Detector - 12V DC EVAP Vacuum Diagnostic Tester for Pipe System

A little white smoke can save a lot of guesswork

I’ve used a lot of methods to chase down vacuum and EVAP leaks—carb cleaner, propane, soapy water—all of which work until they don’t. The Solary smoke machine has become my go-to because it makes leaks obvious. Feed it 12V power, add a small dose of baby oil or glycerin, and within about ten seconds it’s pushing a dense, visible smoke through your intake, EVAP, or exhaust path. In practice, that turns a vague drivability issue or a persistent EVAP code into a visible wisp curling out from the exact failure point.

This unit’s appeal is its simplicity. It has a built-in air pump, so you don’t need a compressor, and it’s light enough (around 2.5 kg) to grab with one hand and move around the bay. The controls are straightforward—no learning curve, no software, no apps. That’s a plus in a busy garage where you need tools that just work.

Setup and first use

My setup ritual is short:

• Add about 20 ml of baby oil/mineral oil to the reservoir.
• Clamp the power leads to a 12V battery or jump pack.
• Connect the smoke hose to the system under test.
• Power it on and wait for the smoke to stabilize.

Within roughly ten seconds the machine starts producing a dense, white smoke. It’s immediately visible, which is important because faint vapor in a dark engine bay isn’t helpful. The internal pump provides low, steady airflow—more than enough for EVAP and vacuum systems and adequate for low-pressure turbo/intercooler checks if you’re sensible about sealing the system.

One practical note: the unit and hose do pick up a smell from the oil, especially mineral/baby oil. I keep it stored in a ventilated spot and run the hose outside for a minute after each session. If odor matters to you, glycerin or dedicated smoke fluids can help, but nothing eliminates it entirely.

Where it shines

• EVAP diagnostics: Hooking to the service port or teeing into the purge line, I can pressurize the system lightly and quickly spot split hoses, cracked caps, and leaky valves. The output is gentle enough for EVAP work if you’re careful. I keep it to low pressure and short runs and never cap the system so tightly that pressure climbs unchecked.

• Intake and vacuum leaks: On a misfire/lean condition job, the Solary smoke machine found a small split in an intake boot that none of the spray tests revealed. Smoke tends to find its way through fine cracks that aerosols miss.

• Low-pressure turbo/intercooler plumbing: I’ve used it to locate a loose clamp and a pinhole in an aluminum charge pipe. While it’s not a pressure tester and won’t substitute for a proper boost-leak test at higher PSI, it’s excellent for initial checks and chasing pesky whooshes and underboost codes.

• Exhaust and EGR: For exhaust leaks near the manifold or pre-cat, the smoke is visible, especially when the system is cold. For EGR passages, introducing smoke at the valve location can quickly show unintended routes.

Output quality and control

The smoke density is consistent and thick enough to be seen even in daylight. Flow is steady from the built-in pump. There’s no integrated flow meter or pressure gauge, and you don’t get fine-grained control of output beyond switching the unit on and off. For most DIY and light shop use, that’s acceptable. If your workflow requires measuring leak flow rates or staying within OE-specified EVAP pressures to the decimal, you’ll want a higher-end machine with a regulator, gauge, and flow meter.

As for warm-up, start-to-smoke happens fast—about ten seconds—then stabilizes. A small 20 ml fill lasts multiple tests if you’re efficient. I haven’t had issues with sputtering or wet output, provided I keep the unit level and stick to the recommended fill amount.

Build and ergonomics

The housing feels sturdy enough for regular use, and the bright finish makes it easy to spot on a crowded cart. The device is compact and easy to store, which matters more than I expected; smoke machines spend a lot of time waiting for their moment, then need to be within arm’s reach when you actually need them.

Hose length is workable for most under-hood jobs. I sometimes move the machine around the vehicle to keep the run short for exhaust work, but that’s easy at this weight. The pump’s noise is a low hum—noticeable but not bothersome over normal shop sounds.

I do recommend adding your own kit of caps, plugs, and a couple of tapered cones to adapt to throttle bodies, tailpipes, and filler necks. This isn’t unique to the Solary smoke machine—no smoke tester can cover every port out of the box—but having a small adapter set turns it into a truly universal tool.

Safety and best practices

• Keep pressures low for EVAP systems. Many manufacturers specify staying under about 1 psi. Without a built-in regulator, I treat the Solary smoke machine like an assist, not a pressure source. Short bursts and partial sealing are your friends.

• Ventilation matters. The smoke is petroleum-based if you’re using baby/mineral oil. Work with a fan, and don’t let the machine flood your garage.

• Let the unit cool. The internal heater gets hot. I set it on a metal cart or a ceramic tile during long sessions.

• Use the right fluid. Baby oil, mineral oil, or glycerin all work. Avoid anything with additives or fragrance oils that could leave residue.

Performance vs. shop-grade machines

In a professional environment, I’ve used high-end testers with adjustable regulators, integrated flow meters, and nitrogen inputs. Those let you quantify leaks and stay precisely within EVAP specs. The Solary smoke machine doesn’t aim at that market. It’s a practical, portable tool for finding where the leak is, not measuring how big it is. For most diagnostic tasks where the question is simply “where is the air escaping,” the real-world difference is smaller than you might expect.

Where the pricier units pull ahead is in repeatable, spec-compliant EVAP tests, documentation, and continuous heavy use. If you test multiple vehicles a day and need to record flow rates, spend more. If you need a reliable smoke source that fits in the trunk or a corner of the shop and eliminates guesswork fast, this is exactly that.

What I’d change

• Add a simple pressure/flow gauge. Even a basic indicator would help users avoid over-pressurizing sensitive systems.

• Include a small bottle of smoke fluid. Having to source oil separately is not a deal-breaker, but a starter vial would make first use truly plug-and-play.

• Provide a basic adapter kit. A few caps and a cone seal go a long way and would raise the out-of-box utility.

None of these are deal killers, but they’re small quality-of-life upgrades that would make the package feel more complete.

Value

Considering the price tier, the Solary smoke machine punches above its weight. You avoid the cost and footprint of a compressor, and you get smoke output that does what it needs to do—reveal leaks quickly. After a couple of real diagnostic saves, it pays for itself in avoided parts-darts and shop time. It’s an easy tool to justify for a DIYer who handles their own maintenance and for small shops that want a dedicated smoke source without the complexity of lab-grade controls.

Bottom line

The Solary smoke machine is a straightforward, effective smoke tester with a built-in pump and quick warm-up that makes leak hunting faster and less frustrating. It’s compact, easy to use, and produces consistent smoke. The trade-offs—no built-in flow/pressure gauge, no included fluid, and a bit of lingering odor—are reasonable at this price and easy to work around with a few best practices.

Recommendation: I recommend the Solary smoke machine for DIY enthusiasts and small-to-mid-size shops that need a reliable, portable smoke source for EVAP, vacuum, intake, and low-pressure turbo diagnostics. It shortens diagnostic time, pinpoints leaks accurately, and doesn’t require a compressor. If you need regulated, spec-measurable EVAP testing with flow metrics or plan to use a smoke tester all day, every day, a higher-end unit is worth the investment. For everyone else, this one gets the job done cleanly and efficiently.