So it seems I'm on a role lately with things going wrong. First my IAC and now this.

When doing a valve-adjustment I was loosening the tappet nut on cylinder #2 exhaust side and while loosening it the nut snapped off with the tappet screw. It snapped off right above the rocker.

The tappet screw and nut themselves are relativly inexpensive so that's not a worry. But would it be possible for me to replace this on my own? Do I have to dissasemble the head to replace it or is there an easier work around?

 

Also how long would it take someone to take the head apart? on their first time with the S?

:edit: from looking at the service manual it looks like the camshafts are put in before the rocker arm assembly so techniclly they can be removed without the camshafts being removed. can someone confirm or reject? Thanks

 

Are you saying you broke off #1 & #2 in this illustration? If so, I would try a screw extractor like the ones sold at Sears to back out the remaining portion of the adjustment screw. Unless the remaining piece is seized, it should back out. Hope this helps.

 

I tried that but then it seemed like it wouldn't back out anymore. After looking at this diagram (the one below) It seems like it has an edge on the bottom side of it that dosen't allow it to be backed out. That would explain why it got to a certain point that it just stopped.

Unless it should back out the whole way then I'll go take another wack at it.

As you can see in this picture I broke off number 11 half way up on number 4.
http://www.slhondaparts.com/browse.asp?Mod...&ViewParts=true

 

Well I just looked at the service manual again and found the right page things like that make jobs like this easier when you ARE on the RIGHT page.

It requires removing the cams but that's about as in depth as I have to go to get the rocker arms out.

 

Keep in mind that I do this for a living... If I had to replace one, I'd try rotating the engine until that piston is down and the valve (adjuster) in question was all the way up... Then I'd very carefully push the valve straight down (likely by prying with long needle-nose pliers) and screw the adjuster down and out all the way. Might work and save you a couple of hours. Might not.

Don't push anything too hard. Bending a valve stem would quickly make it into a HUGE job. If it doesn't go reasonably easily then do it the old fashioned way.

 

I find it nearly impossible for an adjuster to break off while loosening, unless:

You were actually tightening it

It was over tightened beforehand, and galled the threads

VTR Gary's idea may work if you have the clearance. Keep in mind it is not adviseable to compress a valve spring more than it does while in service. It can take the temper out of it and cause it to float.

 

If you do pull the cams, leave the rockers and lower caps in place. just swing the one rocker up to get at the adj screw.

 

VTR Gary, I tried to pull the screw out from the bottom but it seemed when I was going that I would have to really compress the spring and since the valve cover is off I mine as well just remove the cams and do it the safer way.

Billman, Thanks that was a good idea to leave the rocer assembly and lower caps in place. I might have thought of it while I was doing it but it didn't cross my head before I started.

I'm waiting on honda to get in the new screw and nut that I had overnighted. I'm all ready to just toss the new screw and nut in and put her back together. It seemed like, after I had the valve cover off, that it only took me an hour to get everything else apart. Does this seem right??? So I would expect 2 hours to put everything back together and this job really seems like it's pretty easy so far.

I've taken enough pictures so far to do a step by step if anyone has these problems in the future. Should I make the step by step?

 

Great to see the operation went well. If it only took you an hour, you're going great. Careful re-assembly following the destructions and your patient should make a full recovery! Good for you!