Checking Exhaust System for Leaks, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated – DTC P2C7A and/or P0421 Set – 2020-2023 Cadillac Chevrolet GMC

NHTSA ID Number: 10222807

Manufacturer Communication Number: 22-NA-168

Summary

This bulletin provides diagnostic information when checking the exhaust system for leaks.

 


Condition

Some customers may comment that the MIL is illuminated.

Technicians may comment on one or more of the following DTCs set in the Engine Control Module (ECM):

 

Cause

This condition may be caused by an exhaust leak that will let oxygen into the exhaust and will make the Nitrogen Oxide sensors read incorrectly.

 

Correction

There are two different types of leak tests that can be performed on the induction or exhaust system. The first is a smoke leak test where the area being tested is filled with pressurized smoke and the leak is detected by visually inspecting for smoke exiting the system. The second is a pressure leak test where soapy water is applied to the outside of the area being tested and leaks are visually identified by the presence of bubbles forming over the leaking area.

Advantages to using a Smoke leak test vs. a Pressure leak test:

  • Smoke is easy to see exiting relatively large leak locations. The smoke bellows out.
  • You can sometimes smell the smoke to help identify a leak location.

Disadvantages to using a Smoke leak test vs. a Pressure leak test:

  • Smoke is hard to see exiting a small leak as the smoke is traveling fast.
  • Smoke can be removed when it passes through a DPF.

Advantages to using a Pressure leak test vs. a Smoke leak test:

  • Bubbles will easily form over a small leak making it easy to spot.
  • You can leave soapy water on the surface being tested while you go to eat lunch.

When you return, you should still see bubbles.

Disadvantages to using a Pressure leak test vs. a Smoke leak test:

  • It is very difficult for a soap film to form over a large leak to make a bubble.

 


25 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKEMODELYEAR
CADILLACeBay logoESCALADE2021-2023
CADILLACeBay logoESCALADE ESV2021-2023
CHEVROLETeBay logoSILVERADO 15002020-2022
CHEVROLETeBay logoSUBURBAN2021-2023
CHEVROLETeBay logoSUBURBAN 15002021-2022
CHEVROLETeBay logoTAHOE2021-2023
GMCSIERRA 15002020-2022
GMCYUKON2021-2023
GMCYUKON XL2021-2022

 


1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Bulletin No.: 22-NA-168
Date: September, 2022

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10222807

MC-10222807-0001.pdf 312.547KB

 


NHTSA ID Number: 10218891

Manufacturer Communication Number: 22-NA-168

Summary

This bulletin provides diagnostic information when checking the exhaust system for leaks.

 

1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

Bulletin No.: 22-NA-168
Date: August, 2022

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10218891

MC-10218891-0001.pdf 311.861KB

 


 

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  • HyperSmoke Technology โ€“ Creates Thick Visible Smoke for Easy Leak Testing. Adjustable Pressure. Infinite Smoke. Instant Warmup. Built-In Air Compressor Motor. OEM Approved Smoke Fluid. Designed and Engineered by AutoLine Pro USA, an American Team of Individuals bringing the latest innovation to you.
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AutoLine Pro HyperSmokeโ„ข Automotive Smoke Machine EVAP Vacuum Leak Tester โ€“ Adjustable Pressure โ€“ OEM Approved Smoke Fluid โ€“ Built-in Air Compressor Motor - Includes Smoke Fluid x2.
  • HyperSmoke Technology โ€“ Creates Thick Visible Smoke for Easy Leak Testing. Adjustable Pressure. Infinite Smoke. Instant Warmup. Built-In Air Compressor Motor. OEM Approved Smoke Fluid. Designed and Engineered by AutoLine Pro USA, an American Team of Individuals bringing the latest innovation to you.
  • HyperSmoke Benefits โ€“ Hypersmoke never overheats, has EVAP mode to protect EVAP from permanent damage, has a mode with higher pressure to test for more leaks like boost/turbo, has a built-in air compressor, comes with proper automotive-grade leak detection fluid for safe and accurate testing, engineered in the USA with custom components and is a professional-grade tool made for serious diagnostic work.
  • Includes Everything You Need โ€“ Made for ALL Leak Testing Scenarios - EVAP, Vacuum, Intake, Exhaust, Turbo, Superchargers, EGR, Cooling Systems, Engine Blocks, Oil Leaks, Body Work, Wind & Water Leaks, worn rubber, gaskets, seals, connectors, Cars, Trucks, Tractors, Semis, Motorcycles, Scientific Apparatus, and more!
  • OEM Approved Smoke Fluid Included โ€“ Safe for all systems and sensors. Premium High-Smoke output formula. Weโ€™ve included plenty of fluid so you can focus on whatโ€™s important โ€“ 240 minutes of runtime!
  • Adjustable Pressure โ€“ Adjustable Pressure gives you the flexibility to leak test a significantly wider array of systems ranging from EVAP all the way to Turbocharged systems. Why is this feature important? EVAP must be tested at under 1 PSI otherwise DAMAGE WILL OCCUR. This is a feature MISSING from other overseas copy-paste smoke machines.
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Csttler Automotive Smoke Machine with Built-in Air Pump & Compressor Motor โ€“ 12V DC EVAP Smoke Machine for Cars, Motorcycles, Trucks, Boats & ATVs
  • ใ€Very Cost-Effectiveใ€‘This smoke tester automotive is a professional diagnostic machine.The built-in air pump compressor generates 20โ€“25 PSI of air pressure, allowing smoke to be easily introduced into the automotive system under test.It can produce a large volume of smoke within 10 seconds,fast and large smoke output, enabling you to quickly and accurately locate leaks.By rapidly identifying and repairing automotive leaks, it saves you both time and money.You can proactively detect and resolve potential issues before they turn into costly problems
  • ใ€Include all necessary accessoriesใ€‘Infinite smoke for easy leak testing. Instant warmup. Built-in air compressor motor .Our automotive smoke machine includes: built-in air pump, power cord clamp, bottles (oil not included), multiple vehicle cone adapters, smoke delivery hose, intake bladder, and full-size automotive cap plugs.This product also includes a spare Bladder!You can start testing right out of the box.
  • ใ€Wide Testing Rangeใ€‘The smoke machine automotive can do smoke testing of multiple systems, such as EVAP systems, Intake Systems, Cooling / EGR /Exhaust Systems, Crankcase Systems, Engine Airtightness, Vacuum Leaks, Low Pressure Turbo leaks.Applicable cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, off-road vehicles, various pipe fitting testing, fuel tank system testing,Cars, Motorcycles,ATVs, light trucks and speedboats boats.And the smoke machine has built-in overheat protection. It will automatically shut off when too hot to protect itself.This machine has a built-in air pump. No additional air supply is needed.
  • ใ€Easy Operationใ€‘1.Fill 10ml-15ml baby oil ( Not Included) to the smoke machine. 2. Disconnect the intake pipe of the car. Connect the intake pipe of the car with the detector. 3. Connect the detector with the DC 12V battery, and it starts to work. 4.The pipe will be filled with smoke. Check the leak points. PLEASE NOTE:when the smoke from the equipment is not obvious,new oil should be added; When working for more than3 hours, the smoke oil should be replaced. The filling of new oil should be carried out when the equipment iscooling,10-15ml each time.,and please Please bring your own baby oil or paraffin oil.
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SaleBestseller No. 4
AutoLine Pro EVAP High Volume Smoke Machine Leak Tester with Built-in Air Pump - Shop Series Plus - Automotive Smoke Tester with Best Ranked Smoke Fluid, Premium Cone & Gas Cap Adapter
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Bestseller No. 5
Solary Automotive Smoke Machine Leak Detector - 12V DC EVAP Vacuum Diagnostic Tester for Pipe System
  • [Built-in Air Pump]: Smoke machine features a built-in air pump, eliminating the need for an external air source, allowing you to perform tests anytime, anywhere. Simply add about 20ml of baby oil or Glycerin (oil not included) to start your testing effortlessly
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Last update on 2026-05-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


 

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