Missing inspection cover

coyofmo · Post by **coyofmo** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 9:28 pm

I need advice and council real bad right now. I was washing down my 04 rockster, getting it all cleaned up and ready to pull the valve covers to do an adjustment (My first time, 12k miles), and as I was looking around for the inspection hole on the right side, the one that's supposed to be covered with a rubber cap...well...no rubber cap!!!, just an open hole. Honestly, i simply do not know how long it's been off, and I could not have missed getting water in there while I was washing things down....Last week also???!!! I've been reading in my Clymer manual for a half hour now and for the life of me I can't figure out if this hole leads directly to the crankcase and engine oil, or if it's a dry area where the clutch resides. Please someone tell me I'm not screwed here....Heeeeelp!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by **Boxer** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 9:43 pm

Its a viewing hole to see the markings on the side of the flywheel. No oil in there. Just get another rubber cover and you're good to go.

single650 · Post by **single650** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:17 am

Mine was missing. I got a new one and managed to pop it into the hole and out of site

Now I just cover the hole with a bit ot tape.

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 7:29 am

Wouldn't a small piece of duct tape work - it may even match the color of the engine and there's no chance of pushing it in the hole.

popgazer · Post by **popgazer** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 12:50 pm

My totally uneducated solution: I'd go for a ride for an hour to get the engine hot to let the water evaporate before I'd plug it again.

Post by **TicTac50** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 1:30 pm

Here is the part # 11-11-1-744-327 for the missing plug.

Post by **boxermania** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 4:35 pm

Get a plug for the GS model, the plug is far sturdier than the piece of onion skin they put on the R1150R's..........

Post by **rph802** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 7:22 pm

single650 wrote:Mine was missing. I got a new one and managed to pop it into the hole and out of site

Now I just cover the hole with a bit ot tape.

+1 that!!!

I hereby propose an amendment to the Valve Adjustment for Dummies manual to include the directions of buy another cover prior to starting this procedure because virtually everyone drops that sucker in there at some point. Fortunately I was at Tom's (CTRider's) house learning the how to's of this job and were in close proximity to Cliff's BMW. Tom generously offered up his duct tape, got the new rubber cap and almost two months later THE dUCT TAPE IS STILL THERE!!! Been real anxious about it...

Craig

Post by **DSKYZD** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 7:43 pm

The OVAD already advises a trip to the dealer to buy a "Real Man's Plug".

Duct tape the hole.

You're doing your 12K. Change the oil and make note of any foaming. If the evidence of water in the oil isn't bad, don't sweat it.

Get a new plug.

I use the stock one. Comes off with a screwdriver, goes back on with my fingers. It's more oval than round, just like the hole. Orient it correctly, hold right side with pliers, reach behind throttle body and pop the left side in with middle finger of left hand. Pop right side in. Press hard in the middle to firmly seat it.

DSKYZD

Post by **Biff's R** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 7:54 pm

You can find TDC many other ways. I do not take mine out.

Post by **challey** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 9:59 am

This topic seems to come up frequently as it's pretty easy to loose the stock plug. I took the advice of the OVAD and got a he-man replacement plug and haven't had much of a problem. The part number is 11-11-1-744-327 and it only costs $1.
As Biff says, there are other ways of determining TDC, though I still pop the plug and use the flywheel since I'm used to it.

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