How to check inside cylinder

deliriousthun... · Spanner Monkey Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Karma :

This is a bit of a complicated story, to keep it brief I'll keep specifics to a minimal.

Something small may have fallen into one of my cylinders (through the spark plug hole). I have no way of knowing if it did or not.

I need to devise a way to 'see' inside the cylinder to check, before I turn the engine over again. Anyone had this problem before?

I only just got finished refitting the cylinder head so I'd really like to do this without taking it all apart again.
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Tom

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

If it is a piece of ferros metal then a long reach bendy magnet might get it out. Or use a hoover with a home made attachment might be able to suck it out? But the only way to be really sure is take the head apart as you're not sure something went in in the first place.

DrDonnyBrago · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jan 2010 Karma :

neil. · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Feb 2008 Karma :

You can get hold of a USB 'endoscope' type camera that can do this sort of thing. A guy here has one and has produced interesting images with it. I've seen them priced between £20 - £50.

Raffles · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Karma :

If you've got a few grand to spare then you could purchase an endoscope. An endoscope is one of those camera thingys that they shove up your bum to see what's going on inside your body. If you don't have the spare cash then the only surefire way is to whip the head off again.
HTH.
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chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

deliriousthun... · Spanner Monkey Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Karma :

Funnily enough, the endoscope was my first thought, and I would shell out £20 on the off chance that it would save me taking cylinder head off again. The problem is that I don't know how big those lenses are and I doubt they'd be small enough to be any use to me.

I know I'll probably have to take cylinder head off again, but I'm in a mental battle at the moment because I think if I admit that to myself I may start weeping.
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Tom

deliriousthun... · Spanner Monkey Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Karma :

And for those of you who asked, it's a bit of the spark plug cap. There's a little metal piece inside the rubber fitment that clips to the top of the plug (obviously). When I tried to put the lead back on the new plug, it wouldn't snap on. On inspection part of the clip is missing, and I don't know where it is.

I don't know whether it fell into the cylinder, in my garage, or in my driveway. I can't even remember if it was there in the first place, or if the lead was just a bit loose (i.e. clip not there so no snap-on) to begin with.
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Tom

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Taking the head off is the only way to be 100% sure. You'll have a nagging doubt in the back of your mind it you don't and you'll kick yourself if there turns out to be something in there and it causes damage.

deliriousthun... · Spanner Monkey Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Karma :

Indeed. Just my luck.

Someone should make dentists mirrors with LEDs on them that are small enough for this kind of job, would only cost a few quid.

Well, now that I have resolved to go and undo all the work I've just done, I have decided to take a bath, make some coffee and try to unwind a bit before going back to the garage.

Is it strange that now I'm hoping to find that it is in the cylinder?
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Tom

Raffles · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Karma :

0ddball · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

It's a fairly big bit of metal. I'd have thought that if it's in there the magnetic probe (available from poundland) would pick it up.

I'd be happy to give it a good go with the probe then turn the engine over by hand very slowly with all the plugs out and feel for any resistance.

But it's your engine and you can only do what you'd be happy with.
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ZXR750L

deliriousthun... · Spanner Monkey Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Karma :

The bit that broke off is a pretty small bit of metal, but I guess big and small are relative terms. It's about the size of a very small circlip which you might find on a piece of hose.

Something slightly worrying has come up in the process of trying to take the head back off: the carbs are stuck, and I don't mean "they're a little bit stiff". I mean I just spent two hours using every last ounce of my strength and bodyweight, every piece of leverage I could think of, even the age old hammer and block of wood, and I can't even make an impression on them. They will not budge.

Yes I am 100% sure that every relevant bolt has been removed, and clip loosened. I only fitted them yesterday.
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Tom

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

This is what I would do, get a magnet on a stick and put it down the hole. If it picks nothing up then get the thinnest attachment you have on your hoover and get a thinnish tub that will fit down the plug hole better if flexible join them together with loads of gaffa tape so you get good suction from the tube then see if that pulls anything out. If it doesn't then you are clear.
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