I noticed a ticking noise the other day (it was a consistent sound that was the same at idle and higher rpms), and it progressively got a little worse to where when I stepped on the gas and it got louder and worse. Today I took the valve cover off and found a bent pushrod. Is there somewhere where I can buy just one pushrod or do I need a whole new set?

Also, there was some gooey whitish brown stuff inside the valve cover, signs of another problem or just from city driving/short trips/etc.?

Car is 93 z28 lt1

 

Moisture will build up in the valve covers when the engine does not get fully warmed up. Short trips, letting is idle periodically without driving it, etc. To make sure it isn't being caused by a faulty PCV system, make sure that the PCV valve isn't gummed up. The water comes from the ring blowby, since water is one of the main products of hydrocarbon combustion.

 

Pretty sure I have a few stock pushrods hiding out in the garage, if you need one?

 

good info thanks

thanks for the offer, but i picked one up for about $2 so im good for now, hopefully this solves my issue

 

I replaced the pushrod and the car ran fine for most of the day...then today it died at a stop light. RPM's were bouncing like crazy...the car starts and runs for about 20 seconds and then shuts off. Service Engine Soon light is on along with Check Gauges light. When I turn the key I can hear a quiet random ticking/sparking type sound. I'm lost.

 

Scan the ECM for codes. You can do that on a 93 simply by shorting the ALDL pins and flashing the codes on the SES light.

http://shbox.com/1/dlc2.jpg

 

I got the car to run long enough for me to bring it home, was in a random parking lot...it ran trouble code 16. "Ignition low resolution pulse not detected" But it starts...i'll pull the batt fuse to see if this is stored or what