MBensonNC Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 When my 1150RT developed a tick, I pulled the valve cover and, uh oh. What should I do now, and how much should I worry about the missing piece? --------------------- Michael 02 Silver 1150RT Link to comment
kurt1305 Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Drop the oil pan and find it. You might even be able to fish for it through the drain hole with a flexible pick up magnet. Link to comment
Stan Walker Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Drop the oil pan Good plan, except there is no oil pan on an oilhead. If you are sure it's not just hiding in the rocker arm area I would start by draining the oil. If it doesn't come out, try a magnet on something flexible. If all else fails, you can always pull a jug, that would give you better access to the insides. Stan Stan Link to comment
kurt1305 Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Hmmm....boy do I feel stupid. Goes to show my newness to oilheads in general. You still might be able to use a strong magnet along the bottom of the engine to move the nut to the drain hole if it is in the sump. Link to comment
Stan Walker Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Hmmm....boy do I feel stupid. Goes to show my newness to oilheads in general Not to worry, we all do it, and on most engines that would have worked. You still might be able to use a strong magnet along the bottom of the engine to move the nut to the drain hole if it is in the sump That's not a bad idea. But only a 50/50 chance of working (there is a partition dividing the sump into two areas on the 1150). Two oil pickups too. Stan Link to comment
Stan Walker Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 and how much should I worry about the missing piece Hard to say. Being fairly heavy I would expect it would just lay there, but..... it's all just a guess on my part. According to the service manual there appears to be screens over the two oil pickups on the 1150 oilhead engine so it doesn't look like it could get sucked into the oil pumps (two of those too). Both oil pickups look to be fairly big so it wouldn't block the oil flow even it were sucked up against the screen. Nothing else seems at risk. Still, if it was me, I'd like more than just one persons opinion, I might even ask a real mechanic. By the way, who did the last valve adjust? They might be liable!!!! Of couse if it was yourself..... Stan Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 I've seen it happen three times now, and none of them were findable. So far, thousands of miles on three bikes, not mine, with no problem. The "oil pan" area has ridges inside, and apparently the little nut gets in there and stays. Jim Link to comment
MBensonNC Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share Posted November 13, 2006 Many thanks to all who replied. I'll fish around with a magnet and see if it turns up. Otherwise, I'll not worry about it too much. Regarding the guy who did the last valve adjustment, I'll give him a stern talking to the next time I see him in the mirror. --------------------- Michael 02 Silver 1150RT Link to comment
T__ Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Michael, good suggestions above.. If you are lucky it MIGHT come out with an oil change.. At least it won't get sucked into the oil pumps because of the intake screens.. It could dislodge & end up in a timing chain though (long shot there though).. Try the magnet & fishing expedition & if no luck on the magnet at least install a MAGNETIC DRAIN PLUG (about $13.00) as that just might catch that nut if starts to migrate around in the crankcase.. Who knows, one day you could change the oil & find that nut stuck to that oil drain plug magnet.. Twisty Link to comment
SANTA Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 i can see it now, you sell the bike after riding another 100,000 mi and the first time the new owner drains the oil..... Link to comment
4wheeldog Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 If it was going to tear things up, it already had its chance. Long shot that it will come out with oil change......But worth a chance. There are many places for it to hang up on its way south, and stay put for the life of the engine. Finding it would most likely require a full teardown.......Which is the worst case for if it does damage. So......Change your oil, then try to forget about it. Not easy, I know, but best course, IMHO. Good Luck! Link to comment
Stan Walker Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Have you considered turning it upside down and shaking it...... I just couldn't resist!!!!! Stan Link to comment
Bruce Barrow Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 My 99 RT has been running for 6 years with that same nut in the bottem of the engine. And it was a professional mechanic that failed to torque it up. Ride it and forget it; it's not very likely to get "sucked" up off the bottom of the crankcase. Probably "stuck" in the sludge that we all think can't possibly form in a fine German machine. Bruce Link to comment
Blue Beemer Dude Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 Regarding the guy who did the last valve adjustment, I'll give him a stern talking to the next time I see him in the mirror. Ruh roh. I'm just happy that you're not mad at your "helper" that day. Michael Link to comment
Blue Beemer Dude Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 Regarding the guy who did the last valve adjustment, I'll give him a stern talking to the next time I see him in the mirror. Ruh roh. I'm just happy that you're not mad at your "helper" that day. Michael (replying to my own post, how sad is that?) Actually, I should have written: "I'm happy that your motorcycle was not damaged." I should not have been so selfish, worrying only about myself and my reputation. I'll bring the torque wrench next time, and we'll tighten down those suckers but good! So, when do we do the brakes? Michael Link to comment
Bill_Walker Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 [i'll bring the torque wrench next time, and we'll tighten down those suckers but good! First time I adjusted my valves, I tightened the locknuts with a torque wrench. Guess what came loose? Luckily only one, and the nut was lying the in the valve cover when I took it off. Now maybe my torque wrench was out of calibration, but now I just tighten them by hand until they feel tight. Haven't had one come loose since. Link to comment
MBensonNC Posted November 15, 2006 Author Share Posted November 15, 2006 Well, I can hardly believe it, but I stuck a magnet thingy down the hole and after a few seconds - CLICK - and out came the nut. And Michael, I welcome your help on the brakes! --------------------- Michael 02 Silver 1150RT Link to comment
Charles Elms Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 I want to go fishing with you Link to comment
kurt1305 Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 Don't you feel better now? Link to comment
AviP Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 I adjusted my valves a while back (2 years and 5000 miles ago) and don't remember squat. So how does a valve adjuster locknut get into the motor. Isn't this nut in the area between the cylinder and the valve cover? Link to comment
Joe Frickin' Friday Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 I adjusted my valves a while back (2 years and 5000 miles ago) and don't remember squat. So how does a valve adjuster locknut get into the motor. Isn't this nut in the area between the cylinder and the valve cover? Yep, that's where it starts. Then it rattles loose and bounces around in that area until it slides down the passage where the cam chain resides, and ends up down in the sump. Link to comment
philbytx Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 Buy a lottery ticket Link to comment
4wheeldog Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 Well, I can hardly believe it, but I stuck a magnet thingy down the hole and after a few seconds - CLICK - and out came the nut. And Michael, I welcome your help on the brakes! --------------------- Michael 02 Silver 1150RT Considering that the cheapest thing on a Beemer is the rider, we know you are happy because you don't have to buy a new one! Good save......Hope you bought some lotto tickets. Link to comment
AviP Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 I adjusted my valves a while back (2 years and 5000 miles ago) and don't remember squat. So how does a valve adjuster locknut get into the motor. Isn't this nut in the area between the cylinder and the valve cover? Yep, that's where it starts. Then it rattles loose and bounces around in that area until it slides down the passage where the cam chain resides, and ends up down in the sump. Ah yes! It's all coming back to me now! Link to comment
rondob4 Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 Considering that the cheapest thing on a Beemer is the rider... That is the funniest thing I've read in weeks! Link to comment
keithb Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 PRICELESS and PIECE OF MIND. That's a twofer!! Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted November 17, 2006 Share Posted November 17, 2006 Well, I can hardly believe it, but I stuck a magnet thingy down the hole and after a few seconds - CLICK - and out came the nut. And Michael, I welcome your help on the brakes! --------------------- Michael 02 Silver 1150RT Considering that the cheapest thing on a Beemer is the rider, we know you are happy because you don't have to buy a new one! Good save......Hope you bought some lotto tickets. Hey, that's $0.57 you are talking about there! Yes, it is well known that the cheapest part of a BMW is the rider! Jim Link to comment
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