Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

bent push rod

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 22, 2008 | 07:42 PM
  #1  
laser1's Avatar
laser1
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
bent push rod

hi
ive got a 2001 f250 sd ps 7.3 td

have been having power problems for a while now, changed the cam sensor which did not solve the problem (that was the exact symptoms) so then swapped over one side of the wire harness, still didnt fix the problem, have taken the 2nd side of to swap the harness and found that i have a bent push rod and also a broken rocker arm bolt, now trying to source some of these from the states to australia to see if this solves my problem

does anyone know what would cause the push rod and bolt to break in the first place ??

thanks in advance
 
Reply
Old Mar 22, 2008 | 07:44 PM
  #2  
Markadeck's Avatar
Markadeck
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
Read the post I just made in the 2001 wiring harness thread.
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 06:28 PM
  #3  
laser1's Avatar
laser1
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
we received the pushrods and rocker arm's have put them in and the truck now appears fixed, so i think we have finally fixed the problem,

thanks again everyone for you help and information
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 06:47 PM
  #4  
Kwikkordead's Avatar
Kwikkordead
Fleet Owner
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Sorry I missed your first post there Laser1.
To answer your question, I have found that the Powerstroke engine tends to loosen up the rocker arm pedastals over time and it is a good idea to remove the valve covers every 50,000 miles and retorqe everything. Even the injector hold down bolts.
I believe that is why your bolt broke off and bent the rocker arm, it was loose and rocking back and forth during engine operation.
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 06:49 PM
  #5  
Markadeck's Avatar
Markadeck
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
Originally Posted by Kwikkordead
Sorry I missed your first post there Laser1.
To answer your question, I have found that the Powerstroke engine tends to loosen up the rocker arm pedastals over time and it is a good idea to remove the valve covers every 50,000 miles and retorqe everything. Even the injector hold down bolts.
I believe that is why your bolt broke off and bent the rocker arm, it was loose and rocking back and forth during engine operation.
Hells bells Dan, this is not my favorite post of the year. This is the first I've heard of this. I know this is something I have to do with my Cat, but this is the first I've heard of it with our trucks. Anyone else?
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 07:38 PM
  #6  
beer boy's Avatar
beer boy
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: nova scotia, canada
excellent advice, so much so that this is my next to do. thanks. a loose bolt at the rocker arm and a bent push rod. i havent had the rocker shaft out of one of these yet but if you had that problem new bushings would need to be looked at. check the shaft play any way. that shaft is one of the things that can cost a lot of money if it grenades.
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 07:49 PM
  #7  
Kwikkordead's Avatar
Kwikkordead
Fleet Owner
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
About a year ago I had the rocker covers off to retorque the injectors and I found nearly half of the rocker pedastal bolts were barely snug tight.
Setting the torque wrench to 20 foot pounds, about half of them took some more, the rest were still good.
EVERY injector was loose, even though I had torqed them to spec, 120 inch pounds. I got nearly 1/4 turn out of every bolt.
After I did that the engine really quieted down.
 
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 08:53 PM
  #8  
cookie88's Avatar
cookie88
FTE Leadership Emeritus
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,653
Likes: 6
From: Cabot, Arkansas
FTE Emeritus
This just became my Saturday morning project.....I haven't touched the valve covers since I put the injectors in 52,000 miles ago.

Thanks for the Reminder Dan!!
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 7, 2008 | 09:08 PM
  #9  
Markadeck's Avatar
Markadeck
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
Originally Posted by Kwikkordead
About a year ago I had the rocker covers off to retorque the injectors and I found nearly half of the rocker pedastal bolts were barely snug tight.
Setting the torque wrench to 20 foot pounds, about half of them took some more, the rest were still good.
EVERY injector was loose, even though I had torqed them to spec, 120 inch pounds. I got nearly 1/4 turn out of every bolt.
After I did that the engine really quieted down.
I just quit worrying about it for now when it dawned on me that 80,000 miles with 4.88's is about 130,000 with 3.73's on the engine, anyway.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:45 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE