'02 r1150rt: nuts came off both intake valves while riding - found one; still fishing for the other. What are my options?

[sintek68901]

Adjusted valves this morning and despite the reminder to "torque the nuts" running through my head the entire time, I must have forgotten to torque the nuts on the right side intake valves. It ran great for a while, then a terrible rattling sound started coming from the right side valve cover.

I found one and retrieved it with a magnet-on-a-stick, but the other eludes me. Am I going to have to remove the cylinder head and, if so, is there a gasket or something else I should get beforehand? I haven't gone deeper than the valve covers.

Any help is greatly appreciated. I am in a bit of a hurry to get this bike back on the road.

edit: '02 r1150rt

 

[PGlaves]

Adjusted valves this morning and despite the reminder to "torque the nuts" running through my head the entire time, I must have forgotten to torque the nuts on the right side intake valves. It ran great for a while, then a terrible rattling sound started coming from the right side valve cover.

I found one and retrieved it with a magnet-on-a-stick, but the other eludes me. Am I going to have to remove the cylinder head and, if so, is there a gasket or something else I should get beforehand? I haven't gone deeper than the valve covers.

Any help is greatly appreciated. I am in a bit of a hurry to get this bike back on the road.

edit: '02 r1150rt

Yes, you will need a new head gasket.

 

[AntonLargiader]

You could try draining the oil and seeing if it comes out. Or just replace the nut and go ride.

 

[PGlaves]

You could try draining the oil and seeing if it comes out. Or just replace the nut and go ride.

I agree with Anton. But I would recommend a good magnetic engine oil drain plug be installed. Any sloshing around can cause the nut to find the magnet and all is better then.

 

[sintek68901]

So I'm having some trouble finding a replacement nut locally. Everything I read said it was an M6 nut, so I picked up those in the two available thread pitches of 1.00 and 0.75 and neither fits. Is this something that can be found at an auto parts or hardware store? I went to a few different stores (NAPA, ACE, Bomgaar's) and nothing I saw had threads this fine.

 

[AntonLargiader]

Sounds like "extra-fine" which seems to be 0.5mm. Have you tried fishing around through the drain hole with a magnet on a wire?

Dealers here have them for about a buck each. Where are you?

 

[sintek68901]

Sounds like "extra-fine" which seems to be 0.5mm. Have you tried fishing around through the drain hole with a magnet on a wire?

Dealers here have them for about a buck each. Where are you?

Yes. I drained the oil last night hoping it had made its way down.

I'm in Nebraska. There's a Honda dealership near me from which I've gotten a few bits and pieces for other bikes in the past. I can try there Monday if all else fails.

 

[omega man]

Yes. I drained the oil last night hoping it had made its way down.

I'm in Nebraska. There's a Honda dealership near me from which I've gotten a few bits and pieces for other bikes in the past. I can try there Monday if all else fails.

BMW of Omaha Edwards Motorsports & RVs Council Bluffs, IA (712) 366-8400

BMW of Omaha Edwards Motorsports & RVs Council Bluffs, IA (712) 366-8400

www.edwardsmotorsports.com

OM

 

[pauls1150]

I don't know for sure, but considering the "job" of that adjustment, 0.5 mm is probably correct.
Magnet on a wire - make sure the magnet is securely attached to the wire, so it doesn't latch itself on to something else! And use a stiff but "bendable" wire, so you can fish in different areas; also try going down the filler cap hole.
If you're good with a wrench, now might be a good time to upgrade the pushrods too.