[jeggertz]

I have a 1999 Taurus with a 3.0 V6. It has been sitting for about 2 years, but I recently put a new battery in it and it started right up. Ran great for about 2 days then started idling rough and check engine light started flashing. Did a compression check and had no pressure in #6. Took the valve cover off and found the push rod for #6 intake valve lodged off to the side of the rocker arm. Any ideas why this would happen or what I should do other than put the push rod back where it goes and button it back up?

 

[soundu]

My guess is the valve lifter collapsed from being gunked up. then the push rod fell
off. I would put it back on, and start it and watch the lifter for activity.
If the lifter is still collapsed, the same thing will happen again and you will have to
change the lifter.

 

[jeggertz]

Thanks, I put the push rod back in place and ran it without the valve cover on for a few minutes. All looked good. Put everything back together and after a week of driving all seems fine.