Topic: Broken tappet

[Lights Out]

Hey,
This is my first asking a question post...
I was getting an oil leak from the front tappet of cylinder one (750K6).  I decided to unscrew it and check out the tappet seal.  On a very light initial crank of the wrench it snapped, leaving the threads in the engine.  I am hopefull that no shrapnel fell into the engine, the break looked pretty clean.  I was able to unscrew the threads of the bolt left in. 

My questions are...
Could anything have caused this to happen besides age?
Should I replace all the tappets on the bike. 
Is this an indication on another problem? 
When I tighten the tappets do I need a torque wrench? (perhaps I overtightened it when I adjusted the cam chain last year, the manual says remove the #1 tappet cover).

Background info... The last tank of gas had the seafoam treatment, and yesterday I changed air filter pods.

Thanks!
Don

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Would your reference to "tappet" actually mean Honda part 90012-426-000 (old # 90012-300-000)Screw, tappet adj? Just got a fresh set from ServiceHonda.com for $3.26 each. I broke one so the whole set gets replaced! If you want to order new nuts also, use 90206-250-000 Nut, Tappet $1.45 at Service Honda or $ .58 from DavidSilverSpares.com.

OR, does your reference refer to the Tappet Cover that you have to remove to get to the tappet adjusting screw (you said bolt?)?

Fatigue and too much much tightening are the usual culprits.   

[Sam Green Racing]

I think he meant cover Jerry, I've never heard of a tappet leaking oil.

Sam.

[scondon]

 Yeah, those tappet covers are not made of very sturdy stuff and can become brittle with age, and weak from continued over-torquing. Z1 enterprises sells them in pairs, and you can probably still order them through Honda.

    The rubber o-rings inside each cover are actually what keep oil from leaking out. Often people don't replace these o-rings when needed, and instead just crank down harder on the cover(which really doesn't do much except get the cover that much closer to breaking point). Just a smidge past finger tight should be good enough to create proper seal.

[Lights Out]

yes it's the  Tappet Cover that you have to remove to get to the tappet adjusting screw.   Just old and over tightened I guess, seals crappy too hence the leak.  I will replace them all.   If a little shard of metal entered the cylinder, am I correct in assuming it's big trouble for me? I haven't started it since, and i'm not sure if I should without a tappet cover.

Thanks!
Don

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Collect all the tappet cover shards and see if you have anything significant missing.

[754]

it cant get in the cylinder, and should not go beyond anywhere that you can see, except maybe the oil drain hole.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Since it's the cover I believe I'd just replace the one cover and all 8 o rings unless they're all jacked and fugly. Not a mechanical issue so WTF?! Save the cash for your next battle.