Briggs Vanguard 16 pushrod question

[Mike T]

Cranked my argo today, which great when I parked it saturday, and it immediately had a dead miss. started poking around after checking the normal stuff, and determined one cylinder was not firing even though the plug was fine. Then I noticed a faint rattle, First thought was, great, Ive got a busted piston, but I pulled the valve cover on the dead cyl. and saw a pushrod laying loose, and thankfully not bent. Put it back on an everything seems okay. Rockers seemed smooth and not sloppy at all. Does this sound like maybe an issue too great a valve clearance or something else?

[Roger S]

Did you check the valve lash? I've heard of vanguards bending/losing pushrods but havn't heard why. My first guess would be sticky valves in guides, wouldn't take much with the weak spring pressure they have. Maybe add some upper cylinder lube to the gas, or marvel mystery oil. Does it have old gas in it?

[Mike T]

You know, that may be it....I'll try the marvel, and some fresh gas. Thanks