Updated at: 01-09-2022 - By: Lucas

Your engine may suffer from a variety of issues if you have a bent pushrod. We’ll look at what causes bent pushrods and how to fix them in this piece.

Pushrods are rarely bent, but driving on muddy roads or putting a lot of strain on the engine might cause them to bend. A replacement is the most usual remedy, which should be performed by a trained practitioner.

There are ways to prevent them from occurring in the first place, as well.

What’s A Pushrod?

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Valvetrain components that travel up and down perpendicular to crankshaft rotation are known as pushrods.

The valves in the cylinder head of an overhead valve engine are operated by means of pushrods and rocker arms. However, in contrast to pushrod-driven engines, overhead-cam engines use either a single or a many camshafts (also known as buckets).

How Pushrods Work

Valves open and close to allow air and fuel into the combustion chamber when the camshaft (or more specifically, the camshaft) rotates. The rocker arms swivel and operate valve stems with the help of one or more camshafts and pushrods that work together in harmony.

It is possible to have two of these systems per cylinder.

In order to open and close valves, you need two. This circular motion is translated into up and down or back and forth action by lobes on the camshaft, which function at the right moments during each engine cycle.

There are a few exceptions, but in most engines, “up” is a reference to the cylinder head’s valves.

The camshaft position sensor is more difficult in some older systems. For each engine cycle, this system must take into consideration the differing heights of each lobe.

Camshaft and pushrods are used to open and close valves in an overhead valve (OHV) engine architecture, which encompasses most engines from the early 20th century to present.

Fuel and air are able to enter the combustion chamber at precisely timed intervals thanks to the perfect timing of these components and rocker arms.

How Do Pushrod Engines Work?

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Instead of using overhead valves (OHV) to operate its valves, it makes use of one or more camshafts and push rods.

When compared to overhead valve engines (OHVs), pushrod engines are simpler due to the absence of several unnecessary components, such as the rocker bridge, distributor, oil pump, etc., that are found in OHVs.

As a result of the larger clearance between the cylinder head and the combustion chamber, they are also able to attain higher compression ratios.

In an overhead valve engine, the valves are located in the cylinder head, rather than the cylinder block. When compared to the old-style flathead engine, this one had its valves in a separate chamber from the piston block.

Rocker arms, as opposed to pushrods, are used in OHC engines, which are comparable to OHV pushrod systems. An overhead cam is one that is located above or next to the cylinder head, rather than inside of it (s).

Higher mileage or damage in an accident might cause wear and strain on a pushrod. A loose rocker arm or a faulty lifter can cause a mechanical problem elsewhere in the valvetrain (lifters are part of the oiling system).

As a result of a bent pushrod, other components may be damaged and the cooling system may become overheated, so it is imperative to replace them quickly.

How Does A Pushrod Get Bent?

Many things can cause this, including normal wear and tear from driving long distances or damage from an accident.

A faulty lifter or a sloppy rocker arm in the valvetrain are likely to blame in this instance (lifters are part of the oiling system).

Pushrods are used in an overhead valve engine to convert rotational motion into linear motion for the valves that open and close to permit air and fuel into the combustion chamber. When it comes to engines, the term “up” refers to the location of the valves at the top of the head.

The valve stems are actuated by one or more camshafts, pushrods, and rocker arms that move in sync with the camshafts. The camshaft position sensor is more difficult in some older systems.

For each engine cycle, its specialized function must take into account the varied heights of each lobe.

How Do You Know When It’s Time To Replace A Pushrod?

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Pushrods in overhead valve engines are susceptible to wear and tear as the vehicle’s mileage increases or as a result of an accident. A loose rocker arm or a faulty lifter can cause a mechanical problem elsewhere in the valvetrain (lifters are part of the oiling system).

As a result of a bent pushrod, other components may be damaged and the cooling system may become overheated, so it is imperative to replace them quickly.

The engine’s oiling system includes lifters, which are also referred to as tappets. Lack of lubrication can lead to early wear of other components in the valvetrain (such as pushrods).

During engine running, tapping sounds can be heard emanating from the engine’s upper end. There may also be issues with the car’s idle and acceleration. If this is the case, it’s time to bring your automobile in for service.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Pushrod?

Your location and the dealership or independent shop you choose to do business with will affect the labor costs. However, you may anticipate to pay between $300 and $1,000 for this type of repair. If your car is still under warranty, the cost of repairs will likely include labor as well as some other type of service.

Instead of using overhead valves (OHVs) to operate the valves, a pushrod engine uses one or more camshafts and pushrods.

In spite of the fact that pushrod engines include rocker arms that open and close valves, they are often less sophisticated than their OHV counterparts since they do not have many of the additional components that are found in OHV.

As a result of the larger clearance between the cylinder head and the combustion chamber, they are also able to attain higher compression ratios.

In an overhead valve engine, the valves are located in the cylinder head, rather than the cylinder block. When compared to the old-style flathead engine, this one had its valves in a separate chamber from the piston block.

When it comes to overhead camshaft engines (OHVs), rocker arms are used in place of pushrods, which is a distinct difference. An overhead cam is one that is located above or next to the cylinder head, rather than inside of it (s).

What Are Symptoms Of A Bent Pushrod?

A bent pushrod has the same symptoms as other mechanical faults, as was discussed earlier.

When the engine is running, you can hear tapping noises or see a decrease in acceleration and fuel efficiency. It’s time to take your car to a mechanic if you’re experiencing any of these issues.

The following are examples of signs and symptoms that you should watch out for:

How Can I Prevent Bent Pushrods?

Most of the time, avoiding bent pushrods is as simple as following a regular maintenance routine.

The risk of damage to your vehicle’s components may rise if you’re driving on unpaved roads or in regions with a lot of debris on the ground (such as construction sites). Installing rocker guards, which are simple DIY projects, is a popular option for reducing the danger of rocker arm injury.

What Causes Bent Pushrods?

When it comes to car damage, bending pushrods is a possibility, just like other forms of vehicle damage.

Rough terrain and road debris can put additional stress on your engine’s components, increasing the risk of a mechanical breakdown.

A rocker guard (like the one pictured above) may be a good idea if you frequently drive past construction sites or other regions with difficult driving conditions.

It’s possible that bent pushrods are the result of an erroneous installation or a defective component. The sooner you have your car fixed if you’re suffering any of the symptoms described above, the better.

How Can I Fix A Bent Pushrod?

Pushrod replacement is the most typical cure for cars with bent pushrod symptoms. This can be done in a variety of ways, but in most cases, the cylinder head must be removed.

It’s crucial to receive an accurate estimate from your mechanic before making a decision on which strategy to use.

For individuals who want to conduct their own repairs, there are aftermarket replacement components available. OEM parts, on the other hand, tend to be more expensive than aftermarket parts from the same manufacturer.

If you’re not confident in your abilities or don’t have access to the right tools and equipment, you should have your automobile serviced by a professional mechanic. They’ll be able to figure out what’s wrong and have it fixed quickly and cheaply.

Most of the time, avoiding bent pushrods is as simple as following a regular maintenance routine. The risk of damage to your vehicle’s components may rise if you’re driving on unpaved roads or in regions with a lot of debris on the ground (such as construction sites).

Installing rocker guards, which are simple DIY projects, is a popular option for reducing the danger of rocker arm injury.

FAQs

Can You Drive With A Bent Pushrod?

However, it is not advisable to drive with a bent pushrod. If left unchecked, bent pushrods can cause extra damage to your engine, which could lead to even more serious issues in the future. If you detect any symptoms of a bent pushrod, it’s recommended to get them checked out immediately.

In the event that you are unsure of your abilities or lack the appropriate skills and equipment, take your vehicle to a reputable technician for further investigation and repair.

Can I Use Non Original Pushrods On My Car?

Non-original pushrods can be used in your vehicle, however this is not advised. Pushrods made specifically for a certain engine are available as replacements since they have been designed and tested to function with that specific vehicle.

Alternatively, you can acquire aftermarket components that may be of higher quality than your originals, but you should get the advice of an expert before making such a purchase.

Conclusion

Pushrods that are bent can be easily repaired if you have the necessary equipment and know-how. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, call your mechanic for more information on how to identify and repair this issue in a timely manner..