CRF250X Valve Shim - HELP!

[Tio Pancho]

We are going riding for Thanksgiving so I have been prepping with plenty of time for once.
But no good deed goes unpunished.
Shimming the valves on my 04 CRF250X and I dropped one of the shims. DOH!
It fell between the right side exhaust valve spring and the wall of the head. Wedged in pretty good.
Trying not to remove the head because I don’t have the time before the trip. But I don’t want to damage anything.
Not much room and all the wire, Allen wrenches etc. have failed.
Is there a way I don’t know about to remove the exhaust valve springs without removing the head?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
TIA

 

[Tio Pancho]

Forgot to add the photo.

 

[caldezrat]

Magnet?

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

^^ Stick magnet

 

[monkeyswrench]

Shopvac and a plastic cone/hose?

 

[lbhsbz]

I'd put in more effort with a pick and get a magnet nearby so when it pops out of place it sticks to the magnet (assuming it's ferrous).

If you want to pull the valve spring, not too hard to do...step one is pull the spark plug, get it on the compression stroke with the piston near the bottom of the stroke...feed some paracord or ski rope or whatever you can fit through the plug hole and fill the cylinder with it. Then move the piston up in the cylinder, packing the wad of rope against the valves to keep them closed. now you can pull the rocker/cam follower. You can also use compressed air to hold the valves closed...but if you run into an issue and can't get it back together for some reason...you're either running the compressor until you do or dropping the valve into the cylinder. Rope doesn't leak out.

A handful of ways to get the retainer off...my favorite, space permitting, is to take about a 13mm deep socket and pack it with grease, hold it over the retainer and give it a smack with a hammer. The keepers will jump off and stick in the grease in your socket. Now you can pluck the spring out of there.

Getting it back together is a bit more difficult. You need something to compress the spring with the retainer on top of it that allows access to slide the keepers in. What tools do you have at your disposal?

 

[Tio Pancho]

Should have mentioned that I have had the biggest magnet I could fit near it during everything I have tried. Not very big though as the space is small.

Pat I forgot about using rope to hold up the valve. I was going to use air. It’s currently at TDC in case I tried anything it wouldn’t drop far.

Socket with grease you say

Keep ‘em coming guys.

 

[timstoy]

Magnet and welding rod bent into a 90 degree or whatever angle works!

 

[BingerFang]

Wishing you luck!

 

[Tio Pancho]

Magnet and welding rod bent into a 90 degree or whatever angle works!

I am liking this. Will give this a shot. Thank you.

Wishing you luck!

Thank you BF

 

[timstoy]

I am liking this. Will give this a shot. Thank you.

Thank you BF

Maybe a mini pick set or radiator hose tool. Got to be creative!

 

[Shlbyntro]

If you want to pull the valve spring, not too hard to do...step one is pull the spark plug, get it on the compression stroke with the piston near the bottom of the stroke...feed some paracord or ski rope or whatever you can fit through the plug hole and fill the cylinder with it. Then move the piston up in the cylinder, packing the wad of rope against the valves to keep them closed. now you can pull the rocker/cam follower. You can also use compressed air to hold the valves closed...but if you run into an issue and can't get it back together for some reason...you're either running the compressor until you do or dropping the valve into the cylinder. Rope doesn't leak out.

This! and here's the tool you want to do it. Amazon shows next day delivery.

 

[monkeyswrench]

A set of long tweezers, like the cheapies from harbor freight...sometimes the tips can be bent as a pair into an angle that may work better.

If it's loose, just sitting there, a wood skewer and a small blob of Rightstuff on the end may grab it.

 

[white tortilla]

Cussing at it usually gets me 1/2 way there.

 

[Rajobigguy]

I'd put in more effort with a pick and get a magnet nearby so when it pops out of place it sticks to the magnet (assuming it's ferrous).

If you want to pull the valve spring, not too hard to do...step one is pull the spark plug, get it on the compression stroke with the piston near the bottom of the stroke...feed some paracord or ski rope or whatever you can fit through the plug hole and fill the cylinder with it. Then move the piston up in the cylinder, packing the wad of rope against the valves to keep them closed. now you can pull the rocker/cam follower. You can also use compressed air to hold the valves closed...but if you run into an issue and can't get it back together for some reason...you're either running the compressor until you do or dropping the valve into the cylinder. Rope doesn't leak out.

A handful of ways to get the retainer off...my favorite, space permitting, is to take about a 13mm deep socket and pack it with grease, hold it over the retainer and give it a smack with a hammer. The keepers will jump off and stick in the grease in your socket. Now you can pluck the spring out of there.

Getting it back together is a bit more difficult. You need something to compress the spring with the retainer on top of it that allows access to slide the keepers in. What tools do you have at your disposal?

this is the easiest wat to get it off.

This! and here's the tool you want to do it. Amazon shows next day delivery.


View attachment 1303115

This is what you need to get it back together

 

[Dunerking]

Dumb idea,but would putting the bike on its side and then rolling it upside down allow it to fall out?

 

[yz450mm]

https://www.amazon.com/OdontoMed2011-FORCEPS-STRAIGHT-QUALITY-INSTRUMENTS/dp/B01M8MA1Z9/ref=asc_df_B01M8MA1Z9/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=242037806074&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6757138071508801434&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031417&hvtargid=pla-635463939809&psc=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA9dGqBhAqEiwAmRpTC4190diTl5uDUHpHvoYGCy7It-4TB6m-lGo8pKNaWLc-E6qrYH97AxoCoiEQAvD_BwE

Long Reach Hose Grip Pliers, 3-Piece

Amazing deals on this Long Reach Hose Grip Pliers 3Pc at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

12 in. Locking Clamp Pliers

Amazing deals on this 12In Locking Clamp Pliers at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Tio Pancho]

Vini - Vidi - Vici! I came I saw I kicked it’s ass!
Thank you, everyone for your input and suggestions. Tried more screwdrivers, welding rod… In the end, it was the pick that won.
Even more than the suggestions, I think, knowing you have people on your side, helps with the mindset to get through stupid crap like this. You guys are the best.

 

[monkeyswrench]

From experience...be really damn careful putting it back on

 

[timstoy]

Vini - Vidi - Vici! I came I saw I kicked it’s ass!
Thank you, everyone for your input and suggestions. Tried more screwdrivers, welding rod… In the end, it was the pick that won.
Even more than the suggestions, I think, knowing you have people on your side, helps with the mindset to get through stupid crap like this. You guys are the best.

Stuff a rag, cloth, magnet or whatever to prevent this from happening again! It’s happened to all of us!

 

[Tio Pancho]

From experience...be really damn careful putting it back on

This was the old one I was taking out. Not enough grease on my finger to keep it on I guess. The other three came out fine.

Stuff a rag, cloth, magnet or whatever to prevent this from happening again! It’s happened to all of us!

Absolutely. Lesson learned.