Found during oil change

[XLNDRVR]

Found this today when draining my oil catch pan after changing the oil in my ‘80 GS1100E. I’m assuming it came out of the engine. I don’t recognize it, does anyone else? It’s a perfect half sphere, is hollow, is made of steel, is about 9mm in diameter, and appears to be undamaged.

Thanks!

[XLNDRVR]

[rphillips]

HHuuummmm, not remembering anything like that, but been a long time since had one of those eng. apart. interesting

[Suzukian]

Looks like it may be an oil galley plug. Not sure though. Good thing the bike didn't eat it. I would take the bottom oil pan off, and look for any hole down there that looks like might be missing something.

[LAB3]

Interesting and somewhat scary at the same time. Wonder if it's something that ended up in there from the factory floor.

[XLNDRVR]

I would take the bottom oil pan off, and look for any hole down there that looks like might be missing something.

As much as I’d rather not mess with it, probably a good idea.

[Maddevill]

I had a KTM that came with a spare rocker arm pad sitting loosely in the head.

Mad

[salty_monk]

if it is an oil galley plug you would have low oil pressure somewhere with it all taking the shortcut..... That wouldn't be good!

[rphillips]

For me it would be more to wonder about than worry about. I'd have sure thought somebody around here would have seen one before if it were a Suzuki part, especially if it was a important Suzuki part.

[zuluwiz]

Looks like the top of a acorn nut. They would come off the nut if you tightened them too much. Don't know how it got inside the engine though. And, I seem to recall that those were aluminum,could be wrong about that.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Looks like the top of a acorn nut. They would come off the nut if you tightened them too much. Don't know how it got inside the engine though. And, I seem to recall that those were aluminum,could be wrong about that.

I think you may have it. There are two of these cap nuts inside the head right next to the cam chain tunnel . # 11 on the fiche. Part number 09159-10026. https://www.partshark.com/oemparts/a.../cylinder-head

You would be able to see if yours are intact by removing the valve cover. Much less work than removing the oil pan.



the dome of this nut looks suspiciously like the OPs picture

image.jpg

[XLNDRVR]

I’d expect an oil plug to be shaped like a freeze plug, with flat sides. This chunk of metal is not shaped like that. That gives me a little hope that it isn’t oil-related, but what do I know?

[XLNDRVR]

I think you may have it. There are two of these cap nuts inside the head right next to the cam chain tunnel . # 11 on the fiche. Part number 09159-10026. https://www.partshark.com/oemparts/a.../cylinder-head

You would be able to see if yours are intact by removing the valve cover. Much less work than removing the oil pan.

Well, well, well. I will have to check that out. Very good info, thanks! I need to retorque things, anyway.

[XLNDRVR]

SOLVED: Acorn nut idea was spot on and got me thinking where else they are used. At least I don’t have to worry about this being an internal issue. Which of these is not like the others? Thanks for your input!

[Rob S.]

Wow! What a relief. You can't get any more external than that.

Imagine if you had disassembled the engine before realizing it was a filter nut?