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Is the automotive inspection camera a necessary repair tool in automotive maintenance?
When the term "endoscope" is mentioned, many people immediately think of its application in the medical field. However, in automotive repair, the automotive inspection camera is also a commonly used essential tool for technicians. Due to the narrow and complex structures of areas such as engines and intake systems, technicians often struggle to detect hidden issues with the naked eye. Without the proper inspection equipment, many critical problems may go unnoticed. This article will introduce you to the automotive endoscope (automotive inspection camera) and demonstrate how it helps technicians perform repairs more efficiently and accurately.
What is an Endoscope?
An endoscope is a specialized device used in various fields such as automotive repair, aerospace, and more. In automotive repair, it is typically used to inspect the internal condition of an engine and other hard-to-reach areas without the need for disassembling the engine.
What are the Benefits of Using an Endoscope in Automotive Repair?
The benefits of using a car endoscope for engine inspection include increased efficiency in identifying problems, reduced maintenance downtime, and the avoidance of unnecessary engine disassembly, which helps save costs. The endoscope also allows for a more thorough inspection of hard-to-reach areas, ensuring the overall health and performance of the engine.
Precise Detection: The endoscope can penetrate narrow spaces such as the engine block, cylinders, intake system, and exhaust pipes, detecting issues that are difficult to spot with the naked eye.
Non-destructive Inspection: It allows for internal inspection without the need to dismantle large parts, avoiding unnecessary disassembly and saving both time and costs.
Early Fault Detection: It helps identify issues like carbon deposit, wear, cracks, and foreign objects early, reducing the repair costs associated with the escalation of these problems.
Cost Savings: By quickly pinpointing the location of faults, the endoscope helps avoid “blind repairs,” reducing labor costs and the cost of replacing parts.
Improved Work Efficiency: The inspection process is intuitive and fast, significantly shortening repair time and boosting workshop productivity.
Versatile Applications: The endoscope can be used not only for engine checks but also for inspecting transmission systems, air conditioning lines, body gaps, and other areas.
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What Are the Differences Among Automotive Borescopes on the Market?
Display Type:
Independent Screen Type: Comes with a built-in display screen, ready to use immediately without the need for a phone or computer connection.
Mobile Connection Type: Connects to a smartphone via WiFi or USB for viewing, offering a more affordable option. It’s portable but depends on phone compatibility.
Computer Connection Type: Connects to a computer for use, making it suitable for repair shops to record and save inspection reports. However, it lacks portability and requires a computer.
Probe Diameter:
Common sizes include 3.9mm, 5.5mm, 7.9mm, and 8.5mm. The smaller the probe diameter, the more narrow spaces it can access.
The thin probe is suitable for spark plug holes and engine gaps, while the large probe produces clearer and brighter images.
Lens Clarity:
Resolution ranges from 640×480, 720P, to 1080P, and even 2K/4K.
The higher the resolution, the clearer the details, but the higher the price.
Lens Angle:
Fixed Direct View: Faces straight ahead, suitable for routine inspections.
Side View Lens or Dual Cameras: Allows simultaneous viewing of both the side and front, offering more flexibility.
Adjustable Directional Lens: The probe’s head can bend, enabling observation of hard-to-reach angles, offering greater professionalism.
Light Brightness:
Typically equipped with LED lights, ranging from 4 to 6 bulbs.
High-end models feature adjustable brightness, ensuring excellent performance in different lighting conditions.
Protection Capabilities:
Waterproof Rating: Commonly IP67, allowing use in environments with oil or coolant.
Video and Photo Functions:
Basic Models: Only support real-time viewing.
High-end Models: Support photo capture, video recording, and storage to a TF card, making it easier to save and share data.
How to Choose the Right Articulating Borescope
After understanding the functions and applications of articulating borescopes, car owners face a practical problem: with so many models and varying features available on the market, selecting the right borescope that suits their needs is crucial. Whether it’s for personal use with simple, routine inspections or frequent use by technicians in a workshop, the selection should consider factors such as usage frequency, budget, and functional requirements. Below, we will focus on screen-related considerations.
Screenless Type (Mobile/Computer Connection)
Ideal for budget-conscious or occasional-use vehicle owners. It connects to a phone or computer via WiFi/USB, offering an affordable and portable solution. This type meets basic inspection needs, such as checking engine gaps, intake carbon deposit, and other common issues. Suitable for entry-level users or scenarios with low inspection demands, such as checking basic issues, but without the need for multi-angle viewing or ultra-high-definition imaging.
Screened Type (Built-in Screen)
Ideal for vehicle owners with a larger budget and technicians for daily use. The device comes with a built-in screen, eliminating the need to connect to other devices—simply power it on and start using it, making operation more convenient. Models can support 210° bi-directional or 360° four-way rotation, offering clearer image quality and more comprehensive features. In addition to inspecting engine gaps and carbon buildup, it can capture photos, record videos, and save reports, making it perfect for high-frequency, professional-level inspection scenarios.
5. Automotive Borescope Usage Guide
Now that we know how to choose the right automotive borescope, how do we use it correctly?
Before using the automotive borescope, ensure that the battery is fully charged and check the probe, lens, and cables for proper functionality. Prepare a clean, cool environment for inspection. After powering on, adjust the lighting, and gently advance the probe. Rotate or use the articulating lens if necessary to obtain a clear view. During the inspection, you can observe in real-time, take photos, record videos, and save them. After use, carefully remove the probe, clean it, and properly store the cables in a dry, dust-free place to prolong its lifespan.
If you’d like to visually understand how to use an automotive borescope, you can refer to the demonstration video of the AUTOOL SVB305. The following video showcases its features and how it operates. Let’s take a look!
🎥 Click to watch the SVB305 operation video
6. Conclusion
The automotive inspection camera is an indispensable tool in modern vehicle maintenance and diagnostics. It helps car owners and technicians quickly detect problems without disassembling components, saving both time and repair costs. Whether it’s inspecting engine blocks, detecting valve carbon deposit, or troubleshooting hidden areas like pipes and wiring, the endoscope demonstrates irreplaceable advantages. By selecting the right endoscope and mastering the proper usage techniques, you can enhance work efficiency and extend the vehicle’s lifespan.
If you’re looking to enhance the efficiency of your automotive inspections and maintenance, a professional automotive endoscope would be a valuable investment in your toolbox. Click the button below to contact Hanna and enjoy a special discount!
WhatsApp: +86 189 2647 7404
Email: shop@autooltech.com
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