Draper Expert Turbo Smoke Diagnostic Machine Pipe Vacuum Leak Detector

Locate boost leaks, vacuum faults, and pipe failures in minutes with the Draper Expert SDM-TURBO Smoke Diagnostic Machine. Designed for professional automotive technicians who need a fast, reliable, and portable smoke leak tester focused specifically on turbocharger and pipe circuit diagnostics, the SDM-TURBO cuts through the guesswork and delivers visible, accurate results where other diagnostic methods fall short.

The SDM-TURBO generates a dense, fine smoke using mineral oil and compressed workshop air, which is fed under controlled pressure into the vehicle system under test. Smoke travels through every pipe, hose, joint, and seal in the circuit — escaping visibly through any crack, split, loose coupling, or failed gasket. What might otherwise take hours of component removal, feel-testing, and reassembly is reduced to a matter of minutes, making the SDM-TURBO one of the highest return-on-investment diagnostic tools in any professional workshop.

Variable air and smoke pressure control lets you set precisely the right conditions for each test, while the easy-to-read pressure gauge and oil level indicator window keep you in command throughout. Operating at up to 20psi, the SDM-TURBO replicates real-world boost pressures, ensuring that leaks which only appear under load are reliably exposed during a static workshop test. The five-minute duty cycle is engineered for extended working sessions, keeping the machine running longer without interruption.

Compact and lightweight, the SDM-TURBO connects directly to a 12V vehicle battery via the included cable — no mains socket required — making it equally effective in a fixed workshop bay or on a mobile service call. Supplied in a robust carry case with a comprehensive accessory kit including 23 plastic plugs, a 31–81mm cone adaptor, battery cable with crocodile clips, smoke outlet hose, air intake adaptor, and hook, it is ready for professional use straight from the box.

Key Features:

• Smoke leak detection for turbocharger systems, charge pipes, intake circuits, vacuum lines, and all sealed vehicle pipe systems
• Operates at up to 20psi for realistic boost pressure testing
• Variable air and smoke pressure control for precise test conditions
• Easy-to-read test pressure gauge and oil level indicator window
• Five-minute duty cycle for extended continuous operation
• Air mode and smoke mode operation
• Connects directly to 12V vehicle battery — no mains power required
• Compact and lightweight for workshop and mobile use
• Supplied in a carry case with full accessory kit

What's Included:

• Smoke diagnostic machine
• 23 × plastic plugs
• 31–81mm cone adaptor
• Battery cable with crocodile clips
• Smoke outlet hose
• Air intake adaptor
• Hook
• Carry case

Why Smoke Testing Is the Professional Standard for Boost Leak Diagnosis

Boost leaks are a leading cause of power loss, poor throttle response, excessive smoke, and persistent fault codes on turbocharged petrol and diesel vehicles. A split intercooler pipe, a loose jubilee clip, a cracked intake hose, or a failed boost pipe joint can cause symptoms that are almost impossible to pinpoint through visual inspection alone — particularly when the leak only opens under positive pressure during acceleration.

The SDM-TURBO solves this by pressurising the entire charge circuit at up to 20psi with visible smoke, replicating the conditions under which the leak occurs. The smoke finds every gap the eye cannot, and the leak reveals itself instantly as a visible plume — no need to run the engine under load, no need to remove components speculatively, and no risk of misdiagnosis.

What Systems Can the SDM-TURBO Test?

While optimised for turbocharger and charge circuit testing, the SDM-TURBO is effective on any sealed pipe system that can be pressurised, including intake manifolds and inlet tracts, intercooler cores and charge pipes, boost pipes and couplings, vacuum line circuits, EGR pipework, PCV systems, and cooling system pressure circuits. The comprehensive plug and adaptor kit supplied with the machine covers the vast majority of pipe diameters and inlet configurations encountered across European and Asian vehicle platforms.

SDM-TURBO vs SDM-TURBO/EVAP — Which Do You Need?

The SDM-TURBO is the focused, streamlined option for workshops whose primary diagnostic need is turbo and pipe circuit leak detection. If your work regularly involves EVAP evaporative emission system diagnosis — including charcoal canister leaks, purge valve faults, filler neck seal failures, and EVAP-related fault codes — the Draper Expert SDM-TURBO/EVAP adds a dedicated low-pressure EVAP test mode operating at 0.75psi alongside all the turbo testing capability of this machine. For turbo-focused workshops, the SDM-TURBO delivers everything you need at a sharper price point.

FAQ Section:

What systems can the Draper SDM-TURBO detect leaks in? The SDM-TURBO can detect leaks in any sealed vehicle pipe system that can be pressurised, including turbocharger charge circuits, intercoolers, intake manifolds, boost pipes, vacuum lines, EGR pipework, and PCV systems. It operates at up to 20psi, suitable for replicating real-world boost pressures.

How does the smoke diagnostic machine generate smoke? The SDM-TURBO uses mineral oil and compressed workshop air to generate a dense, fine smoke. The smoke is fed into the system under test via the smoke outlet hose, escaping visibly through any leak point in the circuit.

Does the SDM-TURBO require mains power? No. The machine connects directly to a 12V vehicle battery via the included battery cable and crocodile clips. A standard workshop compressed air supply is also required.

What is the maximum operating pressure of the SDM-TURBO? The SDM-TURBO operates at up to 20psi, making it suitable for pressurising turbo charge circuits and most automotive pipe systems under realistic boost conditions.

What is the duty cycle of the Draper SDM-TURBO? The SDM-TURBO features a five-minute duty cycle, allowing continuous operation for up to five minutes before a rest period is required. This extended cycle supports thorough, unhurried diagnostic testing.

Does the SDM-TURBO test EVAP systems? The SDM-TURBO is designed for turbo and pipe system testing at up to 20psi and is not configured for low-pressure EVAP system testing. For combined turbo and EVAP leak detection, the Draper Expert SDM-TURBO/EVAP offers both test modes in a single unit.

What accessories are included with the SDM-TURBO? The machine is supplied in a carry case with 23 plastic plugs, a 31–81mm cone adaptor, battery cable with crocodile clips, smoke outlet hose, air intake adaptor, and hook.