VA- 6560U Dual Camera
Articulating Borescope Inspecting Cylinders using Savvy Aviation Borescope Initiative as a Guide
Many are aware of Savvy Aviation’s borescope initiative as companies like Continental are requiring a borescope inspection of cylinders at the same time as a compression test is conducted. This article will highlight the method that they are using with a Vividia VA-6560U Dual-Camera Articulating Borescope.
Cataloging these photos ensures that a thorough inspection has been done and that the cylinders are in optimal condition.
Savvy has put together an organized plan for 11 images that should be taken and documented with the borescope camera for each cylinder. Here are some examples of photos that are required to be documented and recorded for the Borescope Image Repository Report.
Cataloging these photos ensures that a thorough inspection has been done and that the cylinders are in optimal condition.
Savvy has put together an organized plan for 11 images that should be taken and documented with the borescope camera for each cylinder. Here are some examples of photos that are required to be documented and recorded for the Borescope Image Repository Report.
Photos to be taken for Borescope Image Repository Report
- Piston crown (at bottom of stroke)
- Exhaust valve head (valve closed)
- Intake valve head (valve closed)
- Exhaust valve seat and face (valve wide open)
- Exhaust valve stem (valve wide open)
- Intake valve seat and face (valve wide open)
- Intake valve stem (valve wide open)
- Cylinder wall at 12 o’clock
- Cylinder wall at 3 o’clock
- Cylinder wall at 6 o’clock
- Cylinder wall at 9 o’clock
For more detailed information and an article about the Savvy Borescope Initiative, please follow this link which includes a video demonstration and steps to contact Savvy about their organized plan for documenting cylinder inspection.
https://www.savvyaviation.com/savvys-borescope-initiative/
https://www.savvyaviation.com/savvys-borescope-initiative/
Photo Examples for Report
*We used a Continental cylinder for the demonstration photos. Since the Cylinder jug was not mounted to a plane’s engine and does not contain a piston, views of the open intake valve and piston crown have been omitted.
*We used a Continental cylinder for the demonstration photos. Since the Cylinder jug was not mounted to a plane’s engine and does not contain a piston, views of the open intake valve and piston crown have been omitted.
Some tips for borescoping cylinders with the Vividia VA- 6560U Dual Camera Articulating Borescope
Start by placing the probe deeper into the cylinder and then pulling back once articulating for a broader view to navigate and then adjust to get a better view of the valves.
For views of the valve seat and stem, enter the spark plug hole from a side angle and only push the probe in slightly to then articulate back and turn the scope to the desired angle. Make sure you know where the head will articulate back before entering to get the right orientation for the view. This can be adjusted with the semi-rigid probe prior to putting the borescope into the cylinder.
Start by placing the probe deeper into the cylinder and then pulling back once articulating for a broader view to navigate and then adjust to get a better view of the valves.
For views of the valve seat and stem, enter the spark plug hole from a side angle and only push the probe in slightly to then articulate back and turn the scope to the desired angle. Make sure you know where the head will articulate back before entering to get the right orientation for the view. This can be adjusted with the semi-rigid probe prior to putting the borescope into the cylinder.
Advantages of a dual camera borescope in cylinder inspection.
In addition to the front-facing articulating camera head, the 90-degree view of the dual camera offers unique angles in some tight spots where the borescope may not be able to fully articulate. This might provide an advantage to get some more detailed photos under the valve stem and other hard-to-reach views.
In addition to the front-facing articulating camera head, the 90-degree view of the dual camera offers unique angles in some tight spots where the borescope may not be able to fully articulate. This might provide an advantage to get some more detailed photos under the valve stem and other hard-to-reach views.
Photo of Exhaust Valve Seat and Stem taken with side-facing camera
