R
25

Update: That chalk trick for finding leaks we used to swear by

Years ago, mixing chalk dust with oil helped pinpoint tiny fuel leaks on older engines. You'd dust the area, run the engine, and see where the chalk washed away. Today's electronic sniffers are better, but in a bind, a bit of talc can still save time. Just don't rely on it for critical systems.
3 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In
3 Comments
ross.sean
ross.sean1mo ago
Yeah, that vacuum tip from @sethw42 is smart for the mess. I always wondered if the chalk dust itself could get sucked into a crankcase breather on some older motors.
2
piper_bailey95
One thing people forget is how messy that chalk method could get. It often left a fine dust everywhere, which could clog other parts or make a bigger cleanup job. Still, it's a cool example of using what you have on hand, lol.
1
sethw42
sethw421mo ago
Use a vacuum with a brush attachment, @piper_bailey95, to suck up chalk dust without scattering it.
1