Bought a $300 borescope for a Cessna 172 and it paid for itself in one job

Jennifer Cooper · 2026-04-19T09:45:09.057543+00:00

We had a rough-running engine on a 172 last month and the owner was sure it needed a top overhaul. I got the new borescope and found a single, slightly bent pushrod in cylinder three, clear as day. That saved pulling the jugs for no reason and a huge bill for the owner. Anyone have a favorite brand for these, or a trick for getting a good view past the valves?

gray_nelson6mo ago

A slightly bent pushrod is that big a deal? Seems like it could run rough for a while before anything major happens.

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ray_carr6mo ago

Wouldn't that bent pushrod eventually snap and wreck the rocker arm too?

3

kelly.robin3mo ago

Ray Carr is right that it could have snapped eventually, but I used to think any damage like that meant pulling the whole engine apart too. Seeing it firsthand with the camera changed my mind though. That thing paid off fast.

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