Topic: Tappet adjustment nut on the loose!

[jacquesleclochard]

...should have twisted the bastard a few more turns...

I rode off from a traffic light, and didn't shift properly to second. My clutch slipped to neutral as I was rapidly building up RPMs. As I corrected my error and shifted to second gear, there was a ticking sound to be heard.

So after 50+ kms, as I removed the tappet caps to check the tappet clearance, I noticed my intake from the fourth cylinder had a little too much clearance...

THE ADJUSTMENT NUT IS ON THE LOOSE! 

Is there ANY way that I can avoid removing the engine and take apart the top? Some special technique to tilt the motor to one side and pick out the nut trough one of the holes? Or is there a chance that it went down into the engine? Checking the oil pan wouldn't do me much good, right? There is no way that the nut could go down from the top end trough the pistons... ohhh man... I try not to panic!

[Gorms]

I dont think it can get into your pistons because of the valve stem seals.  Get a little magnetic pick up tool and fish around through all of the tappet covers and see if you come up with it.

[jacquesleclochard]

Yes, the valve seals would block it off, ofcourse. Still it could cause a lot of damage when it ricochets. Right now I am trying to locate the nut with a small flashlight, so far no luck. The magnetic tool is a good idea to fish it out. Where would I get one of those?

[Gorms]

I have a couple Craftsman ones from Sears.  They make a larger one with an LED built into the tip but I would get the smallest one possible.  They are like $5-$7.

[75cb550 (kyle)]

any auto parts store, walmart... you may even try and get a small magnet and tie a string to it. depends on if you can get the straight tool into all the nooks.

[eideteker]

Or get a screwdriver that is magnetic and hold a magnet against it by the handle, the tip should be magnetized then.

[1timduke]

Hmmm....

Magnetizing the screwdriver trick will work with steel wire too if you need to go around corners.   Try a larger magnet over the valve cover and lift and release it.   You may be able to hear it rise and drop, or actually move it where you want it.

Hope it helps.

-Tim

[MCRider]

This has happened to many of us. I dropped my CB750 on the right side many years ago, the throttle was dug in wide open. The overrevving shook a nut off.

I pulled my engine as it needed attention to the headcheeze anyway. THe nut as right there.

It is almost impossible for the nut to go anywhere to cause heartache. It will sit in a depression of the head. It could fall down an oil return passageway into the sump, again out of harms way.

But its hard to live with knowing there is a piece loose in your engine. Some people have lifted the rocker cover, you can get it up about an inch without pulling the engine, and retreved the nut with a magnet. You run the risk of tearing the gasket but hey?

[jacquesleclochard]

I found a nice tool, a bendable stick with a magnetic tip at the end. Right now I have been fishing, but haven't had any luck.

I drained the oil and looked at the oil pan. No nut. It did however contain one or two small metal and a few tiny plastic bits, and the oil filter had some woolish material in it. The wool probably is a mix of steel wool, gaskets, filter material. The plastic would probably be the camchain holder. The metal bits could be everything...

I guess there is a chance that something in the top end got whacked? Or would you say that the chances of a deadly ricqochet are next to none, McRider? I'll try to pry open the top end, and see if I can locate the nut. Thanks for the tips guys, I'll let you know what happens.

[MCRider]

I found a nice tool, a bendable stick with a magnetic tip at the end. Right now I have been fishing, but haven't had any luck.

I drained the oil and looked at the oil pan. No nut. It did however contain one or two small metal and a few tiny plastic bits, and the oil filter had some woolish material in it. The wool probably is a mix of steel wool, gaskets, filter material. The plastic would probably be the camchain holder. The metal bits could be everything...

I guess there is a chance that something in the top end got whacked? Or would you say that the chances of a deadly ricqochet are next to none, McRider? I'll try to pry open the top end, and see if I can locate the nut. Thanks for the tips guys, I'll let you know what happens.

It's my opinion that any potential ricochet would have occurred at the moment it came off. Moments later it will have found its resting place, never to move again.  OCICBW

I've never known anyone that could simply leave it alone however, the thought is just too much.  When you go to lift the rocker box, chase the gasket with a razor blade to see that it sticks to one side or the other, top or bottom, and doesn't rip between the two.

[jacquesleclochard]

I got it out, but had to remove the engine eventually. The nut was stuck between the rocker arms, quite comfy. Tx for the help!

[MCRider]

I got it out, but had to remove the engine eventually. The nut was stuck between the rocker arms, quite comfy. Tx for the help!

That's for the best. Now, an 836cc kit?   

[the technological J]

i replaced mine then readjusted all my valve clearances and another one came off!.... replaced it and when for a short ride and sisnt hear anything untill i laid it down last week... so now im changing my head gaasket(needed done previous to the accident) and gonna dig em out

[jacquesleclochard]

I got it out, but had to remove the engine eventually. The nut was stuck between the rocker arms, quite comfy. Tx for the help!

That's for the best. Now, an 836cc kit?   

Yea, and a turbocharger!