Topic: Stuck tappet cover

[ncstatecamp]

So I've got all the other tappet covers off ready to polish but 1 (isn't it always like that damnit!) I'm currently soaking it in pb blaster (pic). I've already gummed up the outside a bit. 17mm doesn't seem to fit all that snuggly and the vice grips slipped. I don't want to add to much heat in fear of melting the rubber seal into more of a glue. So SOHC whatcha got?

[fire113]

Hi ncstatecamp,

...I had the same problem for two times and I used a chisel, one punch and it was free.

Good luck...Georg

[phil71]

you may end up smashing it, but don't worry.. they're cheap.

[bjatwood]

I used a set of Robogrips I got along time ago on the 1 (one) I had sticking. And it took it right off.The Robogrips are kind of like a Channel Lock pair of pliers.

[phil71]

if the top shears off, which happens a lot, you can very easily pry the remaining threaded section out with no damage to the valve cover.

[ncstatecamp]

Hi ncstatecamp,

...I had the same problem for two times and I used a chisel, one punch and it was free.

Good luck...Georg

I'm afraid I'm not knowledgeable in this technique. Elaborate?

[ncstatecamp]

you may end up smashing it, but don't worry.. they're cheap.

It's cool I have another parts bike with 8 of em!

[ncstatecamp]

For future reference once I have the bike all back together should these be low strength thread locked? I'm only asking bc my other bike recently killed its self by vibrating out the oil plug, and I'd like something like that not to happen.

[LesterPiglet]

They come out easy once you break em. :-)

[LesterPiglet]

Just screw them on lightly. I usually put some goop of some kind on them. If they leak tighten them.

[cbr954]

No thread lock you need to be able to remove them to adjust valves.  If they leak put new o-rings on the tappet covers.

[ofreen]

Get a newer Craftsman 6 sided 17mm box wrench.  The geometry of these applies the torque to the sides of the hex, not the corners.

[ekpent]

I use a pair of channel locks but I do not put them on the 17mm nut section. I put them around the round cap outer edge section,get a good bite and give it a turn. Doing that won't break out the center of the cap and maybe drop something into the engine.Best to keep a couple of good spares around the shop.

[phil71]

I'm extremely curious.. how did it kill itself by missing a tappet cover?

[fire113]

Hi ncstatecamp,

...I had the same problem for two times and I used a chisel, one punch and it was free.

Good luck...Georg

I'm afraid I'm not knowledgeable in this technique. Elaborate?

...take a look at the picture, it's easy, just use a hammer and a chisel. In my case I did a punch and it was free and I was able to get it out in one piece.

Have a good one...Georg

[ncstatecamp]

Hi ncstatecamp,

...I had the same problem for two times and I used a chisel, one punch and it was free.

Good luck...Georg

I'm afraid I'm not knowledgeable in this technique. Elaborate?

...take a look at the picture, it's easy, just use a hammer and a chisel. In my case I did a punch and it was free and I was able to get it out in one piece.

Have a good one...Georg

Ah ok, that's what I thought but just making sure. thanks

[fire113]

Hi ncstatecamp,

...I had the same problem for two times and I used a chisel, one punch and it was free.

Good luck...Georg

I'm afraid I'm not knowledgeable in this technique. Elaborate?

...take a look at the picture, it's easy, just use a hammer and a chisel. In my case I did a punch and it was free and I was able to get it out in one piece.

Have a good one...Georg

Ah ok, that's what I thought but just making sure. thanks

...set the chisel from the top, right next from 17mm nut, I did it that way.

Good luck...Georg

[Retro Rocket]

Did you try tapping the tappet cover with a brass or plastic hammer, even a normal hammer and a piece of wood, it can free up the threads and make it easier to get off, heat would do the same thing...

[HondaMan]

Get new O-rings for those covers from your dealer. They last about 10 years. Then you just tighten them until they touch metal-to-metal, and back off about 1/8 turn. They wont leak, and will come off easily later on. The size is 30.8mm x 3.1mm, but the 31x3.0 will fit. I have about 100 of them... 

[ncstatecamp]

HURRA! Finally got it off, what finally did it was using channel locks around the outter round bit rather then the hex bit. Hondaman, Ill take your advice they seem to be a bit squared out and in need of replacement.

[Bankerdanny]

I have used the same hammer and cold chisel technique to remove a stuck oil filter cover bolt. The chisel easily bites into the large flared section of the head without damagine the case underneith.

[mashfu]

awesome info! chisel made quick work of the tappet covers

[Garage_guy_chris]

The other problem i have read about is because the nut portion is so shallow sockets have a hard time grabbing them because of there ramp or cup to aid in getting them on a fastener gets in the way and avoids proper engagement.

My plan to rectify this is to get a 6 point socket and grind or cut the ramps / cup of the socket by shaving the front by 1/4" this way you have the proper size right at the end of the socket and you can get some decent engagement on the hex on the tappet cover

^ I have since made a socket like this and it works great!


Or I know 754 on here makes a tappet wrench

Don't use this to break loose the tough ones, use a socket to get it off, then use this wrench I make to prevent overtightening, and loose fit..

[70CB750]

I used pipe wrench and replaced the chewed up cover with different one.

[edwardmorris]

Frank/754 makes a special wrench for these, makes quick work of stubborn ones.

[mashfu]

Those seem perfect to properly maintain the covers but for stubborn, abused, glued down ones, death by chisel is kind of  stress relieving  .

[754]

Yes the intent of the wrench was not to remove stuck ones, it was to not overtighten them on assembly and always be able to easily remove them.
 Plese dont try tobreove stubborn ones with it, it wont take it.

[edwardmorris]

Yes the intent of the wrench was not to remove stuck ones, it was to not overtighten them on assembly and always be able to easily remove them.
 Plese dont try tobreove stubborn ones with it, it wont take it.

I won't do it again, but I got a set of really stuck ones off easy by gently tapping it with a mallet to knock them lose.  Didn't seem too fragile to me, but I'll do as you say

[carnivorous chicken]

For stripped ones on a running bike, you can use a pick and slowly chip away at the tappet cover on the outer side of the o-ring (so bits don't fall in the engine). As soon as the seal is broken they come right off. And as someone already mentioned they're cheap and readily available -- I always have one or two lying around just in case.

[mrbreeze]

I always use a 6pt 17mm wrench on mine. One hand holds the wrench on the hex and the other pushes down on the wrench. If your careful you can use a shallow socket. Don't use extensions, deep sockets, or anything 12 pt.

[ofreen]

I always use a 6pt 17mm wrench on mine. One hand holds the wrench on the hex and the other pushes down on the wrench. If your careful you can use a shallow socket. Don't use extensions, deep sockets, or anything 12 pt.

Fred has good advice.  Again, get a wrench such as the Craftsman or Snap On that has the geometry that puts the force on the sides of the hex, not the corners.

[therobbstory]

I sheared the top off of a tappet cover last week. When I looked up the torque spec for installing the new one, i was surprised: 07.2~10.1 ft lbs.

That's little more than hand-tight.

[HondaMan]

Yes the intent of the wrench was not to remove stuck ones, it was to not overtighten them on assembly and always be able to easily remove them.
 Plese dont try tobreove stubborn ones with it, it wont take it.

Hmmm...I disagree? Your wrench removes them without a nick, tapping with a (significant) hammer on the wrench. One side of your wrench fits them snugly and not sharply, and leaves no marks on them in the process. I like it!