Hey ya'll, my 2000 XJ started making a ticking/knocking sound a few weeks back. It almost sounds like a real bad exhaust leak but I am not 100% sure. The Jeep has 225k miles on it. Please help me diagnose this. If it is exhaust leak, I can fix it easy. If it is the motor then I need to start deciding on what to do. Either rebuild, stroke it, or V8 swap.

I have not noticed any loss in power.

Here is a link to a youtube video I took of it this morning.

 

that is not an exhaust leak. lifter or bearing one. hard to tell from the vid.

 

If it's auto trans, check your flexplate to torque converter bolts first.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/ho...ocking-125547/

 

Thanks Cruiser, I will check that out this weekend.

 

In my quest to track down on all weird noises coming from my XJ I noticed I had a sound very similar to this a few days ago. I am very excited to know there is a possible fix that does not cost huge amounts of $$$!

 

Hopefully it isn't like my 2000. At 227k it broke the piston skirt on #6 and this was the fix:

 

OP, you have a 2000 model that has the 0331 head on it. These heads have a known fatal casting flaw from the factory.

If it was mine, I would not do anything else before determining whether or not the head is cracked.

 

The head is actually the 0331 TUPY head so I am sure it was replaced some time in the past.

 

Good. I wonder if there was any internal damage that is just now showing up?

 

I am not sure if this internal damage. I mean there could be but the Jeep runs just as good today as the day I got it. I have been trying to plan what to do if/when this motor goes.

 

My 2000 XJ did have the factory head crack about 5 years ago or so, and it did in fact damage a lifter, so I do now have a "lifter-tick"

If the sound goes away when you rev the engine, its probably a lifter tick.

Another indication of a damaged lifter is when tightening the pushrod/rocker head assembly, the pushrod above the damage lifter will seem loose.

If you do have a damaged lifter, you could try stepping your oil weight up one level, however I wouldn't recommend that unless you have other wear factors on the car. My engine has pretty worn bearings so I run a thicker oil during the summer and it helps the engine run smoother and quieter.

 

LS3.

 

i couldn't think of a better way to spend 3x the vehicles value on an engine swap.

 

People do it all the time.

$4000 worth of wheels and tires on a $500 vehicle, for example.

 

Posted 28 June 2015 - 08:57 AM

Ongoing list of parts replaced and approx costs-



Original purchase- $2500

Purchase of donor, '94 XJ, $500

Initial front end parts purchase from Rockauto, included KYB shocks, Moog steering parts and track bar and UCAs and LCAs, $430

Replaced LCAs with NAPA Chassis, WJ, $130

OME front coils, $200

Isolator pads, 3/4 lift, $30

JKS rear shackles, $100

JKS adjustable tracbar, $206

Bilstein 4600 shocks, 4, $300

Replaced bushings in rear springs, NAPA Chassis, $100

Replaced rear leaf springs, General Spring, $350

Replaced original donor 4x4 trans with Wrangler AX5, reclocked, $200 plus travel.

Replaced bench seat with bench seat, $60 plus travel.

Purchase of XJ front buckets yet to be installed, $150

One front and two trans mounts, $35

Purchase of Brown Dog engine mounts, yet to be installed, $90

Federal axle ujoints $25

Front brakes, included calipers, hoses, rotors, pads, $120

Replaced D35 with C8.25, to included KJ discs, total to included related parts, $500

Replaced rear Bilsteins with Gabriels after 3" lift, $75

New drive shaft, $225

Hurst short-throw and TC stick, $300

ACC carpet, first $200 and just ordered replacement, $116, total to include learning curve, $300

New exhaust, $180

WJ power steering pump, with hose, $40

WJ power brake booster and master, to include related, $50

Upgrade to 105 Amp Alt, $90

Upgrade headlight and harness, $50

Ravines, no cost.

Cooper tires, 31s, $700

Rear bumper, homemade, value to include labor and parts, $350+

Tool box, free, $100 value.

Replaced front grille and bezels with chrome, modified to fit from '92 XJ, $70

Replaced clutch, LUK, $100

Replaced clutch master, twice, $80

Battery, $65

Replaced all sensors and upgrade wiring to include cables and all related, $350

New engine, yet to be installed, $3000

New steering wheel, to be replaced again, $130

Brake cables, replaced twice, $60



Changing total- $12,341





Rugged Ridge floor mats, $75

Front 28mm sway bar from XJ, $30

Rear sway bar from Blazer, $50

Octagon aluminum radiator overflow, Jegs, $50

Bilstein 5125 at the rear, $156

Sony head unit, $120

Spicer ball joints $103

Bilstein 5100 front shocks, 145



New total- $13,070



Terraflex D30 cover- $99

Crown steering shaft- $95





Ironman Fabrication UCAs and LCAs $440



Fuel Maverick Wheels, 9x18, $980

Nitto 285/60-18 $989

Curt front receiver $ 101

Bushwacker flares $ 413

Warrior Prod. 560 bumper $330


New total- $16,517