How can I tell if I have a bent push rod. Also, will I loose power from it?

 

Take it out of the car and roll it on a flat piece of glass or clear plastic. Look at it from all angles, even the bottom and if you have bent push rod you will definatly be able to tell. Hope this helps and yes you will lose power.

 

Will this also cause me to get an SES light and for my idle to get real rough at times?

 

You probably have an ignition problem. Doubt it's a pushrod. Get the car scanned and see what codes are set.

 

The ses light shouldn't have anything to do with the push rods.

 

The ses light doesnt stay on all of the time. It will come on for a few seconds and then go off. It still runs like crap even if the ses light isnt on. Will it show me the previous codes even if the ses light isnt on

 

If your ses light is only on for a short while then your problem may have something to do with something internal. This is what I would do; get it scanned at Auto Zone or just somewhere, fix that problem and then see where you are at. You should also be able to find inactive codes. If that's not it, then check your push rods if that is what is determined. Don't forget that you could have a bad lifter also. I had a lifter eat up half of the lobe on my cam becuse it flat spotted.

 

Oh yeah, what is it exactly that your engine is doing besides run bad.(Like backfiring ect .)

 

I have lost alot of power and sometimes it idles just fine and sometimes it will barely idle at all

 

Sounds more like an ignition problem. My guess would be OPTI.