Inspection Camera for Valves

[Polsonator2]

Picked up an inspection camera at Harbor Freight today to look at the condition of my valves. Thought I would share the results with the forum since there may be others like me who are too lazy to pull the head just to inspect them.  This was taken from their more pricey camera which came to around $130 after the 20% off coupon and tax.  Of note, I used the cheaper camera that was around $60 first but ended up returning it. The cheaper camera looks just about as good for picture quality but does not have the ability to save pictures to a memory card or directly to your pc.  For me, I thought paying double was worth it but others probably won't.  Also, I think you might be able to find cheap $30 scopes on Amazon that connect to your phone but not sure if they are any good.

Edited December 10, 2018 by Polsonator2

[Plymouthy Adams]

the optics are a bit impressive, this will be good for seeing the tops for obvious chunks missing but as the value of the valve is its sealing to the seat and the clearance on the lash....only a hands on is going to get you there...this will be ideal for the guy who has a piston land and ring battle going on...Mr rattle rattle from a current thread comes to mind.....these are fairly fragile units on the camera head as I have been told...try not to bang it around much...

[Don Coatney]

Camera technology has come a long way in the past 50-60 years. I have had a camera poked into every possible hole in my body. Last one was done last week with a camera stuck down my throat into my lungs along with a Brillo pad to clean my white walls. A few months before that a camera was poked into a small hole where stuff normally comes out. I am awake looking at a computer screen and I hear the nurse say hey look, there is your prostate, it looks good. I would have enjoyed it much more if the nurse would have said hey it looks good  before sticking the camera into the hole. I also have what is called a port. It is an implant in my chest with a line that goes directly inside my heart. The port is used for drawing blood samples as opposed to an IV and I had a camera inserted in the port to take pictures of my heart. My point being I have no desire to use a camera to check my valves.

[John Reddie]

I too had the camera inserted into the small hole mentioned here and it was not pleasant. I realize that it was necessary but if I never have to have it done again, it will be fine.

John R

[Polsonator2]

I haven't had it done yet but am not looking forward to a visit from the black anaconda

[keithb7]

Its cool but asde from the basic valve stuff, like possibly a stuck open or chunk missing, I am not sure I see much value in the pics. 

 

The valve seat surface and valve face wear pattern do not appear to show great.  Those are key areas in my opinion. Should those areas not appear a little cleaner and shiny? I thought mine were when I took my engine apart. 

 

If a valve is stuck open or a chunk is missing a simple compression test will suffice. No? I was hearing “ticking exhaust manifold” type sounds when I had a valve stuck open. Then zero psi with a compression test. Maybe the camera would show that. Just not sure its needed at that point. 

 

Can this poor sealing surface be seen with the camera?

 

Edited December 10, 2018 by keithb7

[Los_Control]

actually I am too lazy to pull the plugs to insert the camera.

I just hang a dollar bill over the end of the exhaust while it is running.

In theory, the motor is a air pump and should push the dollar bill out .... period.

If the dollar bill gets sucked back and pushed out and back and forth, time to pull the head.

 

I claim my motor runs smooth and plenty of power, it does not pass the dollar bill test, almost ripped the bill in 1/2

 

As for the camera, such a cool item now that the price is reasonable.

I suspect everybody will eventually own one, plumbers, carpenters, mechanics, porn stars .....

[Uncle-Pekka]

2 hours ago, Los_Control said:

I just hang a dollar bill over the end of the exhaust while it is running.

In theory, the motor is a air pump and should push the dollar bill out .... period.

If the dollar bill gets sucked back and pushed out and back and forth, time to pull the head.

 

I claim my motor runs smooth and plenty of power, it does not pass the dollar bill test, almost ripped the bill in 1/2

Excuse me being a foreigner, I came to doubt my english skills...

By the 1st paragraph I thought I understand the principle of "the dollar bill test", the exhaust should not blow & suck, but just blow the fumes out - Ok?

However, in the last quoted sentence you state that your healthy smooth running engine does not pass the test - Sorry I'm confused, what you mean to say?

[Los_Control]

21 minutes ago, Uncle-Pekka said:

By the 1st paragraph I thought I understand the principle of "the dollar bill test", the exhaust should not blow & suck, but just blow the fumes out - Ok?

However, in the last quoted sentence you state that your healthy smooth running engine does not pass the test - Sorry I'm confused, what you mean to say?

I am saying, by ear and feel, the engine seems to run good.

By doing the test, I know my valves fail and I need to give them attention.

Possibly just a valve adjustment?

 

The engine has been sitting many years and I refuse to open it up until I drive it and see if the rings expand and the valves start seating better.

 

So I am saying, after waking this motor up from a deep sleep, I am pleased with it.

But using the highly technical dollar bill test, I am being warned and I need to pay attention to the valves.

I will drive the truck and then repeat the test as needed to monitor improvements.