PRODUCTS
FirstLook® ADS ES 100 Spark-plug engine kit (SKU 10010)
The Spark-plug engine kit contains the equipment necessary for most spark-plug engines. It is most useful with a four-channel oscilloscope (not included) to provide simultaneous views of the exhaust, more about crankcase through the oil dipstick tube, intake manifold, and cylinder 1 spark detector (induction clamp or COP probe, neither included). You would need additional FirstLook® sensors and rg 58 cables with BNC connectors for simultaneous readings.
The barbed FirstLook® sensor is attached to hoses by pushing the nipple into the hose; extraction is by pulling it out.
The kit includes:
- One barbed FirstLook® sensor (Additional FirstLook® sensors can be purchased as additional parts. See below.)
- Exhaust hose with springs
- 6” rubber hose to aid connection to the oil dipstick tube
- Plastic vacuum line adapter with 4” rubber hose
- One 25’ rg 58 cables with BNC connectors
- BNC/Banana Jack adapter
- Downloadable manuals:
MSRP 399.00 USD plus shipping
ADS ES 100 Barbed FirstLook® Sensor (SKU 10011)
This product consists of a single barbed FirstLook® ADS ES 100 sensor as an addition or replacement to your existing set.
MSRP 315.00 USD plus shipping
Aluminum Vacuum Line adapter (SKU 10013)
Replacement Aluminum Vacuum Line adapters are available. These can be used with a barbed or threaded FirstLook® sensor.
MSRP 31.50 USD plus shipping
What Do I Really Need to Leverage FirstLook?
Read over all of these objectives to select those that are relevant for your business. Every objective requires two FirstLook sensors.
Objective | Oscilloscope (some require a PC too) | Extras |
---|---|---|
Engine Assessment
When evaluating an engine away from the shop, perhaps at an auction, it is nice to have a handheld oscilloscope to conduct the engine assessment. There are a number of handheld oscilloscopes on the market: a two channel unit is typically adequate with 15k hertz per channel. If you carry a PC when looking for a vehicle to access www.carfax.com, for example, you might want to consider a PC oscilloscope for the engine assessment. |
Handheld, no PC, 2 channel, 15k Hertz | |
Can I trust the OBD code reader?
If you are only using the SenX FirstLook® sensors to triage a vehicle entering the shop, a handheld unit may be adequate. In this case a two channel, 15k hertz per channel oscilloscope should do the job. |
Handheld, no PC, 2 channel, 15k Hertz | |
Diagnose spark plug engine for physical integrity issue
To diagnose a spark plug engine you’ll probably want a four channel oscilloscope with good display and analysis tools. A number of standalone and PC oscilloscopes provide those capabilities. You will want at least 15k hertz per channel. |
4 channel oscilloscope with PC or good display and analysis tools; 15k Hertz per channel | Spark plug trigger (inductive clamp or Coil Over Plug probe) |
Diagnose diesel engine for physical integrity issue
To diagnose a diesel engine you will want at least a two channel oscilloscope with good display and analysis tools. A number of standalone and PC oscilloscopes provide those capabilities; again, 15k hertz per channel will be important. |
2 channel oscilloscope with PC or good display and analysis tools; 15k Hertz per channel | Infrared digital thermometer to locate ‘cold’ components |
File signatures for monitoring over time
If you want to file the data from the signatures for future reference and analysis, you will want an oscilloscope that can export the data as an Excel or CSV file. If you intend to use remote (cloud) storage and processing as with Engine Angel®, a PC oscilloscope with Internet connectivity will be required. |
2 channel oscilloscope/PC must be able to export data in CSV format to PC and web | Data storage and retrieval system such as Engine Angel |
All of the Above
If you want to be prepared to achieve any of the objectives on the list, you’ll want a four channel PC oscilloscope with at least 15k hertz per channel, able to export data in Excel or CSV format and connect to the Internet. |
4 channel oscilloscope with PC or good display and analysis tools; 15k Hertz per channel/PC must be able to export data in CSV format to PC and web | Spark plug trigger, Infrared digital thermometer, Data storage and retrieval system |
SenX Frequently Asked Questions
Q.1 What specs are required for my oscilloscope? I don’t want to buy another one if my current one will work.
A: Please refer to the “What do I need?” section on the web because the answer depends on what you want to use the FirstLook sensors for. Most important are:
- How many channels will you need? (How many sensors, including trigger, when appropriate will you be needing?)
- How high of frequencies will you want to accurately detect? A 4-stroke engine running at 1500 rpm has piston / valve events at about 80 Hz. Valve ‘leakages’ whistle at around 8,000 Hz. If you use more than one simultaneous sensor, multiply your needed frequency by that number.
- If you want to store and programmatically analyze the signatures, you want software that provides such analysis or can store and export the results for later reference.
Q.2 What specs are required for my current PC to work satisfactorily? Will an Apple work?
A: You should check with your PC oscilloscope distributor. If you are using a hand held oscilloscope, the device should be plenty powerful for automotive cycles.
Q.3 My oscilloscope is showing twice as many ‘humps’ as I would expect given the RPM table. What is going on?
A: Such phenomena are usually a result of reflections (echoes) in the tailpipe or related components. Consider neighboring ‘humps’ as a group. Use the downloadable Timing chart to get the interval for each cylinder as a means to identify the appropriate group of humps.
Q.4 Is there a minimum mileage a vehicle should reach before testing?
A: No. To evaluate your engine, it is smart to test it every time you get an oil change. This enables you to anticipate problems rather than just react to failures out on the road.
Q.5 Are there vehicles that should not be tested? (e.g., diesel and turbo applications)
A: The tool was designed, engineered and tested on gasoline and diesel engines with 3 through 8 cylinders. Turbochargers, catalytic converters, mufflers, and tailpipe geometries might affect pulse shapes by reflections whenever there is a curve or change in diameter of the tailpipe. But they do not affect the (ir)regularity of the patterns.
Q.6 If we test a vehicle twice (back-to-back), without performing a service, will the reading be the same?
A: Yes. But every engine produces slight variations, which the sensor detects. In our documentation and procedures, we focus on physical integrity which typically doesn’t produce intermittent, significant variation. We are primarily looking for irregularities that return every 4-stroke cycle.
Q.7 Does it matter if the engine is hot or cold?
A: Yes. A cold engine may produce false results, especially in diesel engines. Before an engine can be tested, it should be up to normal operating temperature. Cold engines might give ‘false positives suggesting problems that disappear upon warming up.
Q.8 Is there any correlation between number of cylinders and test results? (e.g., does a 4-cylinder vehicle typically test better than a 6 or an 8?)
A: No.
Q.9 Does type of fuel used play a part in the test results?
A: Yes. It’s important to note that many factors can impact an engine’s performance. Engine type, age and maintenance history; individual driving style, fuel quality as well as environmental factors. Poor engine fuel quality typically exhibits itself with intermittent ‘problems’.