Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Versatile use of borescope


Fiberscopes are useful inspection devices in the automotive field. Auto technicians and automotive warranty inspectors are discovering new uses for fiber optic borescopes everyday. Engine combustion chambers are accessed through the spark plug holes to check for damage to valves and pistons without the removal of the heads. Some of the less obvious uses for automotive applications are:


  • Inspecting water pump weep holes for a coolant leak
  • Inspecting radiators for restrictions
  • Pinpointing coolant leaks around intake manifolds
  • Retrieving serial numbers from Honda radio's without removal, for anti-theft code look up
  • Preliminary brake pad inspection without removing the wheels
  • Checking evaporators for refrigerant leaks with UV Dye in the system
  • Locksmiths view numbers on the rear of door lock cylinders without removal, for key code look up
  • With a magnet attachment auto technicians retrieve dropped nuts, bolts and tools
  • While performing smoke tests on an evaporative system, inspection around the fuel tank is possible without lowering the tank

  • We have noticed an increase in sales to other fields besides automotive. HVAC technicians use fiberoptic borescopes to inspect for mold in ducts and on evaporator coils. Law enforcement uses them to check for contraband and controlled substances under rear seats, consoles and trim panels. Plumbers use fiber optic bore scopes to pinpoint the source of leaks and identify the cause of blocked drains. Electricians use fiberoptic borescopes to see snaked wires through walls, some even attach a hook to retrieve the wire once it is spotted. Exterminators and home inspectors use fiber optic borescopes for termite inspections. Exterminators also use this tool for follow up after an application to verify its effectiveness. Welders use borescopes to check inside vessels or tanks to look for "burn through". Carpenters use them to check walls for plumbing or electrical before using fasteners.

    Shop selection of borescopes for different application at Fiberscope.net

    Monday, November 19, 2007

    Borescope helps to check a car engine

    I found an article about borescope use to check engine. It illustrates how a borescope can be used.


    "If there's evidence of coolant loss, ask the customer to leave the vehicle overnight. Safely vent the cooling system pressure at the pressure cap, then install a cooling system pressure tester. Apply pressure to the cooling system with the tester, then allow the engine to cool down. If the pressure tester appears to be losing pressure as the engine cools, keep adding it with the pressure tester. When the engine has cooled completely, begin looking for coolant leaks.
    Remove the spark plug first. If you're lucky and the leak is large enough, yon may be able to see coolant leaking into the combustion chamber. It may even give you a shower when the ping is removed. A borescope would be handy here, as it would allow you to identify the precise source of the leak by looking through the spark plug hole. Potential leak sites could include a cracked cylinder head or a blown head gasket. You'll be able to see the coolant leak dripping from the head crack or gasket fault with the borescope".

    Original text can be seen here

    Find more about borescopes using to check car engines at Fiberscope.net Automotive Industry directory.

    Monday, November 12, 2007

    Fiberscope helps checking valves

    In the case when a car has an interference engine (Daewoo Lanos), if the timing belt failed, there is a strong possibility the pistons hit valves before the engine stopped completely. First perform a compression test, if the valves are bent they will not seal properly and the compression readings will be low. Keep in mind if the timing belt is broken or not installed correctly, this could cause cylinders to have low compression also. Inspect with a fiber optic borescope through the spark plug holes, look for impressions in the piston tops. 
    The fiber optic borescope can help by giving an indication of the damage that may have occured without disassembly.
    To read more about using fiberscopes in automotive industry go here

    Monday, November 5, 2007

    Fiberscope - Super Thin Micro

    I would like to present a new device - Super Thin Micro Fibrescope from Medit, Inc. This fiberscope can be used for all kinds of Non-Destructive Testing and in other areas. Its small diameter 1.9 mm provides excellent opportunities to study the most tiny places. Its high resolution 30,000 pixels allows effective inspection. It is equipped with Portable Super Bright LED light source included. Illumination is very effective with this diod based light source.
    The unique features of this device help it repaid a hundredfold!
    Micro borescope from Medit Inc
    You can review the characteristics of the fiberscope and purchase it here