Popular Mechanics - USA (2020-09 & 2020-10)

(Antfer) #1

W


member of:

DIY Evaporative
Emissions-Control
System Leak Tester


This is a simple smoke
machine that gener-
ates vapor using heated
baby oil. Made out of a
pickle jar and some other
accessories, it can iden-
tify simple repairs like a
leaky gas cap, a common
issue when the “check
engine” light goes on.


My Latest Subject of Study
Metalworking, and I’ve just started getting into woodworking.
I’ve been reading up on the best techniques and looking on Pinterest
to find ways of applying my metalworking skills to woodworking. I
started making basic tables—four legs and a box. Now I’m building
one with square tubing. Each leg gives off a spiral look, but it’s an
optical illusion.

What I Can’t Live Without
My K2 Leatherman multi-
tool. I recently purchased
this and now carry it with me
every where. It’s helped me in
many situations.

My Favorite Hobby
Working on classic
vehicles with my
master mechanic
father. One day, I
hope to start my own
classic car rebuild
operation. This 1966
Ford Mustang has
been in my family
since the day it
rolled off the lot.
Six years ago, my
father and I rebuilt
the operational
system. We cleaned
up the top end of the
motor and installed
a new radiator,
Edelbrock intake
and carburetor,
new wheels, and a
new fan assembly.
Unfor t unately, not
too long ago, there
was an incident
involving a bad
parking job and the
passenger-side door.
That will be the next
project—it never
ends.

Best Thing POP Ever Taught Me
Never stop learning, folks. Alzheimer’s runs in my
family, and I believe your brain must continually
work to maintain strength—researching, reading,
and learning in all subjects. It does not take a special
person to become a MacGyver of sorts. All it takes
is a little will to learn, and you will be amazed at
what you can apply to life.


Favorite POP
Story (So Far)
“Go Ahead, DIY
Everything—Even If
You Occasionally Fail.”
It goes along with my
whole philosophy of
Keep trying new things.

How It Works
Hook up the device to a part
of the car’s emissions-control
system by disconnecting a
tube from a connection port
and connecting the DIY device.
Cover the opening of the dis-
connected tube with tape for a
closed system. Then connect
positive and negative wires
to the battery. This provides
heat, which generates smoke.
Adjust the air regulator so the
max amount of smoke travels
through the system. If smoke is
leaking from an obscure place
like the vacuum line, evap
canister, or fuel cap, there’s a
crack. Hooking the line into an
intake vacuum line will show if
you have any leaks in the intake
system. These trigger the
“check eng ine” light, resu lting
in OBD trouble codes.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Project Engineer,
Construction
Management

GARRETT ALLAN, 23


CURRENT PASSION
PROJECT
Restoring a 1978 CB
Honda motorcycle. Over
the winter, corrosion built
up on the flywheel. I’m now
waiting for the correct bolt
size to come in the mail so
I can pull the flywheel for
cleaning.

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// EXPERT HACKS, GEAR RECS & LIFE-TESTED WISDOM FROM A PM PRO //

My Pop Life


8 September/October 2020

Free download pdf