Borescopes are a fantastic way to inspect a tight mechanical space without taking anything apart. They’ve become the go-to tool for professionals in the aviation industry, as well as those working in plumbing, HVAC, and the manufacturing world. Engine borescope inspection, in particular, is endlessly appealing to those who perform regular maintenance on machinery. Whether you’re checking into the health of your car’s engine or performing due diligence on an aircraft before it takes flight, using a borescope for engine inspection is the way to go.
Why Engine Borescope Inspections Are Necessary
Engine borescope inspections take the work and mess out of the traditional inspection process. With just a few quick steps, operators can view crystal-clear images of spaces that usually go unseen by the human eye. This has huge implications for maintenance routines; since regular inspection allows you to make important judgments on when to make repairs or replacements, borescopes for engine inspections are incredibly vital.
Imagine how much easier complete diagnostic checks could be with a borescope at your disposal. Borescope inspections of aircraft engines are particularly useful for spotting even the most minor of changes. This allows borescope operators to take quick corrective actions if necessary. While compression checks can be helpful, borescopes are unique in their ability to identify defects like corrosion. Nothing can replicate the power of a jet engine borescope inspection!
How to Inspect an Engine With a Borescope
Understanding how a borescope works can help make the engine borescope inspection process easier. Each model comes with its own specific set of instructions, and it’s a good idea to experiment with the device before getting started. You can learn a lot by practicing!
Generally speaking, borescopes for engine inspections will come with a lengthy cable with an LED light tip on the end. This part is inserted into the engine for inspections. Depending on the model, your borescope may be either rigid or flexible. Both options have pros and cons, but rigid borescopes are especially useful for engine inspections, as they can snake through even the tightest of corners. Articulation is also a critical consideration for the inspection process. Depending on your goals, you may need a borescope that offers you full flexibility to move up, down, to the left and to the right.
Once you have the right tool for your specific inspection job, insert the end into the engine. Fish the scope through the space while you view the progress on the monitor. Position the scope anywhere you might need an up-close perspective on your engine’s condition. A borescope particularly makes aircraft piston engine borescope inspection as thorough as you’d like.
Upon completion of your inspection, you may wish to share your findings with colleagues or clients. Many borescopes now feature Bluetooth connection capabilities, allowing you to share the images you’ve captured inside the engine. Memory storage and LAN ports also make the process of sharing your findings quick and straightforward.
Other Tips for Engine Inspections
Pick the right borescope for the task at hand. To properly evaluate the internal condition of an engine, you’ll want a scope with a camera small enough to pass through a spark plug hole. Thankfully, there are micro borescopes of just about every size. 3mm, 4mm, 6mm, and 8mm borescopes remain some of our most popular models for engine inspections. Some models even measure as small as .37mm!
You may prefer an articulating borescope to view pistons, side walls, and valves. These versatile devices offer 180-degree movement, giving you the freedom and flexibility to explore virtually any space. For more straightforward inspections of spaces like the piston engine cylinders, a rigidnon-articulating borescope will do the job handily.
Portability has become an increasingly in-demand feature of borescopes. Portable borescopes make it easy to take your engine inspection process on the road. Whichever tool you select for the task at hand, make sure it features LED lighting to illuminate the space you’re inspecting. Engines tend to be cramped, dark places, and without additional lighting, your inspection may be for naught.
Automotive engine borescope inspection is also made easier by understanding the power of the tool you’re using. Even the most minor of defects can appear larger than life if you’re using a borescope with 15x magnification. Practicing with the borescope helps you get familiar with the technology and allows for more context when you actually delve into the inspection process.
Borescopes for Your Next Engine Inspection
Automotive and aircraft engines are lasting longer than ever. With that longevity comes more maintenance, making borescopes one of the most valuable tools a professional can have at their disposal. USABorescopes offers a number of borescopes for engine inspection. Whether you prefer to rent or buy, we’ve got you covered. Learn more about our offerings and place your order now!
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