Has anyone used a cheap USB borescope / endoscope to check carbon buildup through the spark plug holes? There's a bunch of these scopes on ebay for <$20.

I was curious: (1) will the typical 5mm scopes fit through the spark plug hole OK? (2) Can you see the back of the intake valves to determine carbon buildup, given the angle of the scope and available illumination?

I can risk the $20 but was just curious if anyone else has used this approach before.

 

I believe you are confused on Where the carbon buildup occurs. A flexible fiber scope through the intake could provide a view of the back (upstream) side of the inlet valves.

 

I understand where the buildup occurs.

My thought was that if an intake valve is open you *might* be able to see it from the combustion chamber, depending on the angle of the borescope.

Or not.

 

Metro, there are right angle borescopes. I am not familiar with the consumer-grade scopes. I am not speaking from experience in the Cooper but from my experience with flexible and rigid scopes - I doubt you'll be able to throw enough light into there to evaluate the condition. But for a few bucks... Those scopes can be useful for other tasks and are worthwhile to have. I've used one to lasso a screw that went into a Ford V8 cylinder.

 

Harbor Freight's got a nice-looking inspection camera here: http://www.harborfreight.com/digital...era-67979.html

Spridget