Most Important Tool for Used Car Shoppers and DIY Mechanics

In an earlier article we learned that one of the most important tests you can do to a used car before buying it is a preliminary compression test of the cylinders to have an idea of the engine’s health.

And while many tools today are actually affordable for diagnosing a problem with a car, sometimes your senses of smell, sight, hearing, and touch can be more useful than a storebought tool to save you and your car from a tragedy.

When Your Senses Need a Little Help

However, sometimes your senses need a little help

One good example is a recommended redesigned tool showcased on the Toyota Maintenance YouTube channel recently―a new type of Borescope possessing a triple lens lit feature including color camera viewing and capture features. The primary function of this tool is to help your eyes see a problem that otherwise might have missed.

Related article: Best Tools for the DIY Home Mechanic

What is an Automotive Borescope?

An automotive borescope is a specialized inspection tool used in the automotive industry by mechanics to examine and diagnose the internal components of an engine or other hard-to-reach areas of a vehicle without the need for disassembly.

A good borescope comes with a flexible tube with a camera and a light source at one end and a video display at the other. This design allows for visually inspecting small openings and other areas in and around an engine that you cannot get your head around to see otherwise hidden areas for signs of leaks, burns, wear, or other signs of a problem developing.

The camera feature is especially useful as it transmits images or video to a display, to help mechanics identify issues such as blockages, wear, damage, or other problems inside the engine, cylinders, and other components that can be shown to a customer before a repair is agreed upon. This tool helps save time and costs associated with extensive disassembly and reassembly that may or may not have been necessary while diagnosing a potential problem.

Simple to use, the non-mechanic shopping for a used car with a borescope with camera and video capture will find this tool helpful for inspecting the engine cylinders through a sparkplug hole and sending the images to a mechanic or knowledgeable friend for advice on the condition of the engine.

A borescope can be especially useful for determining (or verifying) if a blown head gasket problem exists when an engine is misfiring or running rough without having to disassemble the engine.

Related article: Most Important Question to Ask Your Mechanic Before Agreeing to a Repair

Another Great Tool―DEPSTECH Professional Industrial Endoscope

Follow along with the host of the Toyota Maintenance YouTube channel as he demonstrates his new DEPSTECH brand Professional Industrial Endoscope showing both its usefulness in detecting coolant fluid leaks and the condition of the engine cylinders on a Toyota Prius.

For additional tool-related recommendations, here are a few for your consideration:

• The $10 Harbor Freight Tool That Can Save You From a $1,000 Scam
• My Harbor Freight Brand Pittsburgh Tool Beats Snap-On!
• DIY Car Repairs Just Made Easier for These Car and Truck Owners

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites  and Facebook for daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

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Image source: Deposit Photos