Pushrods don’t usually bend from wear or fatigue. On an otherwise well running engine the usual culprit is the valves binding in the guides. On an engine with mileage this is often a result of overheating. When the valves overheat the stems also expand and can jam in the guides. The rods can get bent trying to open a valve or a valve hang open and the rod can fall out of the rocker or lifter socket. Same can also happen from extreme over revving. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of John Rodgers
Sent: Saturday, February 07, 2015 3:23 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 2.1 L push rods

Finally got around to fixing my pushrod tube leak. Found there was a 4 inch crack in one tube. Upon disassembly and removal of the push rods, I found two of them bent. Probably accounts for the one cracked tube at least. On the passenger side, as seen from the rear of the van, from back to front, it was the 2nd and 4th push rod.

The engine has run fine, but for the oil leak. But this has to be fixed.
Anyone have  two or four pushrods from a junked 2.1 L that they care to part with? Would be much appreciated. My van is down for the count as it sits.

Thanks,

John