How to Use a Borescope: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here is how to use a borescope: power it on, feed the probe into the target area, and adjust the light until the image is clear. The steps below follow the Innova 3380 manual, and the same basic routine applies to most handheld models.

Bend limits, battery type and storage rules differ between models, so check your own manual before the first use.

What a Borescope Does and What You Need

A borescope is a handheld camera on a flexible probe that lets you look into spaces you cannot reach directly. The Innova 3380 has a 960 mm probe, a 2.7 in display and runs on four AA batteries.

The Innova 3380 is built for real-time viewing only. According to the Innova 3380 user manual, it does not capture or store images, so you need to watch the screen while you work. The kit includes a 90-degree mirror, a magnet and a hook, which extend what the probe can reach and retrieve.

Set Up the Borescope

Learning how to use a borescope starts with setup, which takes three checks: fit fresh batteries, attach the probe finger-tight and confirm the tool is dry before you switch it on.

1. Open the battery cover on the back and insert four AA batteries. The manual recommends alkaline cells for longer life.
2. Thread the snake camera onto the camera connector by hand until it is snug. Do not overtighten, because the threads can be damaged.
3. Check for moisture. If condensation is present, let it evaporate before you power the tool on.

Keep the tool in a clean, well-ventilated area, and do not use it where the temperature exceeds 140 F (60 C). The same manual warns against using it near flammable liquids, gases or dust.

How to Use a Borescope: Insert the Probe and Steer the View

The core of how to use a borescope is simple: press and hold the POWER button for about two seconds, then feed the probe slowly into the opening.

1. Press and hold POWER for about two seconds, then release. The indicator light shows the unit is on, and the screen shows the camera feed.
2. Route the probe into the area you want to observe, watching the screen as you go.
3. Adjust brightness, color or orientation with the buttons when the image needs it.
4. When you finish, withdraw the probe carefully and press POWER to turn the unit off.

Ring Automotive’s 2012 tech tip notes that a magnet and hook can be fitted to the probe to retrieve objects, and a mirror attachment lets you see a surface at an angle. Probe extensions of up to 3 meters are also available for deeper areas.

Brace your hand against the entry point to keep the image steady. If the probe catches on something, do not yank it. Back it out slowly and try again at a slightly different angle.

Adjust Light, Brightness and Image Orientation

The Innova 3380 adjusts LED brightness, display brightness, color balance and image rotation through its front buttons.

• LED button: press it, use the left and right buttons to change LED brightness, then press LED again to save.
• BRIGHTNESS button: changes the LCD brightness. Press HOME to save and exit.
• HOME button: adjusts color balance while the unit is in display mode. Press HOME to save.
• ROTATE IMAGE button: turns the picture left or right. Press HOME to save.

Settings stay active until you change them or power the unit off. Raise the LED brightness in dark areas, because a dim light makes the screen harder to read.

Do not set the light to maximum by default, because excess light can wash out fine detail. For close targets, reduce the light, and if glare persists on a shiny surface, change the viewing angle slightly. Learning how to use a borescope well is mostly about these small adjustments.

Inspect Engine Areas Safely

For engine work with a borescope, switch the engine off, let it cool and look over the outside before you insert the probe. NDT Products recommends protective gear, a clean and well-lit work area and a visual check of the exterior to decide where to focus.

1. Confirm the engine is off and cool, and wear eye protection.
2. Test the borescope, monitor and recording device before you begin.
3. Insert the probe carefully through the entry point, taking your time to avoid damage.
4. Move through the engine systematically, paying close attention to parts prone to wear.
5. Record your findings so you can review the footage later.

If your model can capture images, take three or four pictures of any suspicious spot from slightly different angles. Note the location and viewing direction of each picture so the record makes sense later.

Ring Automotive’s 2012 guide describes two access routes: the spark or glow plug hole for valve checks, and the wheel arch for brake pad thickness. A misfire code such as a P0300 random misfire is one reason to look inside a cylinder, and running a compression test tells you which cylinder to check. Use these routes only with the training and the service manual for the vehicle, as NDT Products also recommends a trained inspector.

Mistakes to Avoid When You Use a Borescope

The three most common mistakes for anyone learning how to use a borescope are forcing the probe, bending it past its limit and storing it while it is still damp.

Clean, Check and Store the Borescope

After every session, finish how to use a borescope by caring for it: wipe the housing with a 70% alcohol solution on a lint-free cloth, dry the LCD gently and keep the tool in its case when it is not in use.

• Housing: clean with a 70% alcohol solution and a lint-free cloth.
• LCD: wipe gently with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth.
• Storage: keep the tool in a dry, well-ventilated place, ideally in a protective case.
• Daily: check for visible damage, confirm the lens is clean and make sure connections are secure.
• Weekly: inspect the insertion tube for wear, clean the monitor and update software if needed.

Check the probe itself too. Avoid sharp bends when you coil it away. If you find a crack or break, stop using the device and have it repaired, according to NDT Products’ video borescope maintenance guide.

Frequently Asked Questions