Borescope & Cam Pics

[Let'sgoflying!]

It is much like 45BU's images in his first post, Tom. Part of the cam, some followers. The pics are not on this computer so not easy to post.
Remember, its not what you see - it's the lack of corrosion on the parts which are available for inspection. It does not tell you the rest of it is fine, but if you had seen something awful, it gives you the next step in the engine's life.

 

[Checkout_my_Six]

You'd be surprised at the number of A&P mechanics that don't / won't make a proper return to service entry.

yup....if the paperwork ain't right....it's a safety hazard.

 

[Mtns2Skies]

Okay I need some help. I borrowed my A&P's Borescope yesterday to try and look at these things, but it didnt have an articulating tip. I have one from amazon coming in to give a try, with optional mirror attachments.

Anyway. I got hopelessly lost inside the engine and had no clue where to be looking. Can someone draw me a roadmap of how to find my cam from the oil filler neck?

 

[Tom-D]

Please be careful, you drop any of those attachments off the borescope and you will be tearing your engine down to get it back.

 

[455 Bravo Uniform]

Okay I need some help. I borrowed my A&P's Borescope yesterday to try and look at these things, but it didnt have an articulating tip. I have one from amazon coming in to give a try, with optional mirror attachments.

Anyway. I got hopelessly lost inside the engine and had no clue where to be looking. Can someone draw me a roadmap of how to find my cam from the oil filler neck?

It should be straight down. You may have to turn the prop to get the crank counterweight and rod bottom swung out of the way. You can look straight down without needing a sideways look. That’s with an IO-470 at least.

 

[455 Bravo Uniform]

It is much like 45BU's images in his first post, Tom. Part of the cam, some followers. The pics are not on this computer so not easy to post.
Remember, its not what you see - it's the lack of corrosion on the parts which are available for inspection. It does not tell you the rest of it is fine, but if you had seen something awful, it gives you the next step in the engine's life.

Exactly this. My plane had very few hours per year before I bought it. And I have some vibration. I wanted to get a feel for cam and lifter corrosion. I accomplished what I needed to. Next up will be each cylinder, piston, and head/valve.

Keep in mind that professional borescopes run into the thousands of dollars. My A&P works for a shop that has a $10k plus scope.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

I would not put anything in there that is an attachment or 'could become loose'. Mayday. Bad. My scope is one well-bonded articulating head which I do a pull test on beforehand.

 

[Checkout_my_Six]

Please be careful, you drop any of those attachments off the borescope and you will be tearing your engine down to get it back.

magnets.....the key to that.

 

[Tom-D]

magnets.....the key to that.

Most of the cheap borescopes those are chrome over brass. so much for the magnets

 

[Checkout_my_Six]

Most of the cheap borescopes those are chrome over brass. so much for the magnets

buy better equipment Tom....

 

[Tom-D]

buy better equipment Tom....

Tell that to Mountains to sky.

 

[flyingbrit]

Most of the cheap borescopes those are chrome over brass. so much for the magnets

I'd try one of these before tearing the engine down:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/General-To...MImoabpoTC2gIVksmyCh3VcgllEAQYAiABEgJR-PD_BwE

 

[bluerooster]

buy better equipment Tom....

Yeah, better equipment, all stainless steel.

 

[Tom-D]

Yeah, better equipment, all stainless steel.

Not me,, If you want to see stuff, take it apart. A&Ps need the work.

 

[Checkout_my_Six]

Not me,, If you want to see stuff, take it apart. A&Ps need the work.

That's a Maintenance Induced Failure.....waiting to happen.

 

[WannFly]

Vividia Ablescope VA-400 U

I’m amazed at the depth of view, thought it would only focus on a narrow range.

You have to adjust the light for best image capture.

Wondering if u can use the same scope to check inside the wing ... before they fall off that is.

 

[Tom-D]

That's a Maintenance Induced Failure.....waiting to happen.

Or found and prevented.

 

[Tom-D]

Wondering if u can use the same scope to check inside the wing ... before they fall off that is.

I've had 3 different cheap borescopes, and found their focal length was difficult to deal with. if you can get the correct distance from what you are trying to see the picture isn't that great.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

Wondering if u can use the same scope to check inside the wing ... before they fall off that is.

I've used my scope for many av things; looked in a fuel tank last week, have looked behind an instrument panel recently, a wing during annual inspection, behind a cabinet at home where someone dropped important papers

 

[Mtns2Skies]

Here's mine. These are the best shots I could get with a $35 Amazon borescope. The quality is certainly better on the nice one.

Well... How's it look?

 

[Silvaire]

For cheap scopes the Ablescope is one of the better, more useful ones. The head can swivel a full 180 degrees and look back on itself. The cable gives you reference as to what direction you are looking so you don’t get disoriented. It comes with a Bluetooth attachment so you can use your phone if you want to.

 

[ktup-flyer]

Colon posts here?

He wanted you to check out his six

 

[ktup-flyer]

Here's mine. These are the best shots I could get with a $35 Amazon borescope. The quality is certainly better on the nice one.

Well... How's it look?
View attachment 62328 View attachment 62329 View attachment 62330

it's totaled

 

[Morgan3820]

Looking to buy soon. Vividia VA-400 rigid vs. the VA-980 semi flexible. Is it worth the extra $200? Could I get to look at the cams on my Lyc. IO-360 if I purchased the flexible unit? Other interesting views? Wing attachments?

 

[Tom-D]

Looking to buy soon. Vividia VA-400 rigid vs. the VA-980 semi flexible. Is it worth the extra $200? Could I get to look at the cams on my Lyc. IO-360 if I purchased the flexible unit? Other interesting views? Wing attachments?

Cams in the Lycomings are very well hidden, virtually no way to get a scope in there.

 

[GRG55]

Cams in the Lycomings are very well hidden, virtually no way to get a scope in there.

That's a much better system they have. What the eye can't see the heart doesn't grieve over.