what bent the push rod??

[jjdiesel]

A friend had a injector replaced in an '04, and upon start up, the truck had a very rough idle. Shut it down, take valve cover off and the tech said the helper under the rocker arm fell off. Had to yank push rod out with vice-grips... looked like a pretzel. New push rod installed, truck idles smooth, runs fine. Anything to worry about? What bent the push rod? Tech says when the helper fell off, it wedged under the rocker and wouldn't allow the push rod to come up, hence the cam made it's full revolution and bent the push rod up. Friend is worried that the piston 'kissed' the valve in the process What do you guys think? I don't know enough to give him peace of mind.

 

[silverram03]

I think its doubtfull that it kissed the valve. It would have more than likely bent the valve. And it would not idle smooth for sure.

 

[jjdiesel]

Any other thoughts?

 

[AK RAM]

If the helper came off, more than likely it was still under the rocker (it can't really come off and go anywhere else), keeping the rocker from coming down and the rod just crumpled up behind it. Sounds logical. That is about the only way that rod could have bent. If that is the case and the rocker couldn't come down, then the valve didn't open, meaning it wouldn't have hit anything.



Sad part is that helper can't come off when it is fully seated in it's spot. Sounds like the tech put it back on a little crooked when he was putting the rocker arm back on from the injector swap..... just wasn't paying attention. That is not a scenario that can just happen by itself.

 

[jwilliams3]

I wouldnt blame the tech. Those parts can come apart.

 

[jjdiesel]

AK Ram... I think you're right, tech just slipped up and wasn't paying att. With the indents on those helpers, I can't see how it could come off if seated properly in the first place... . as long as the bent push rod is the worst of it then... a lesson learned without too much carnage. Someone else mentioned that unless the engine jumped timing there is no way that the piston could contact the valve... that makes sense too. Thanks for the replys!

 

[nickleinonen]

helper?????



what the heck are you guys talking about???



are you talking about the valve crosshead/valve bridge that sits on top of the valves which the rocker pushes down on???



just a little confused, as i have never ever heard the term "helper" used for any engine internal part...

 

[p-Bar]

Ya I'm lost too

 

[jwilliams3]

Sounds like he's talking about a "crosshead". I thought he was first talking about an actual rocker lever losing the foot (insert).

 

[Rosco]

Hope there was no damage to the cam lobe.

 

[MickeysCummins]

i wouldnt worry about it, im sure the tech just rushed through the job and and if the cross head did fall off, then thoses valves were in the closed poistion and there is no way they kissed the piston.

 

[AK RAM]

helper?????



what the heck are you guys talking about???



are you talking about the valve crosshead/valve bridge that sits on top of the valves which the rocker pushes down on???

Oo. I love Sheraids!! You got it. :-laf