My 96 XJ sport just started ticking. Usually at start up and it goes faster as I accelerate. But then it just goes away. And it's not at every startup either. I was thinking a noisy lifter but wouldn't that be ticking all the time? When it does make the noise, throttle response seems to be a little sluggish. Any thoughts? Thanks :-)

 

With it running try holding a long screwdriver or such to the valve cover and the other end to your ear, it should be pretty obvious if its a stuck lifter. Removing the valve cover for visual inspection would help too. Lifters can get a good deal of varnish built up on them causing them to stick.

Exhaust leaks can also sound like ticking though, depending where it's leaking from.

 

Okay I can try that next time it starts. If it was a noisy lifter or an exhaust leak would it still only tick every once and a while?

 

My lifters are always noisy till she warms up

 

Yes, it could be one lifter and intermittent.

Try this. Next time you start it and hear the tick, shut it off. Wait 10 seconds and restart. Is the tick gone?

 

Thanks for all the replies guys, appreciate it. I tried turning it off and back on but it still ticks. I'm thinkin I'll just scavenge some money up and go to the mechanic.

 

The Jeep 4.0 is 50 year old technology. Your mill is 20 years old. 4.0s are known to be somewhat noisy. I have a '98 and it has ticked for over 10 years. On really cold mornings I can also hear a lifter complaining till she warms up.

My point is: your ticking might not be a problem. If it's just tick, I probably wouldn't throw money at it just yet.

 

I'll second that... My cherokee doesn't tick, but I have an F-150 with a 300 I6 that's had a lifter tap since I've owned it, over ten years now.

 

I'll just wait and see what happens lol. Makes me feel better that other people have ticks too. I was pretty worried there for a while. So far she's fine so I'll just let it be.

 

Try Post 5.

 

My bad I forgot to mention I tried that. It still had a tick wen I started it

 

Drain the oil. Add 1 quart of Marvel Mystery Oil and 5 quarts of Shell Rotella T3 oil. Use a Wix oil filter.

Watch how quickly the oil turns dark.Sounds like you've got a sticky lifter.

Monitor what the oil and sludge look like inside the valve cover through the filler hole. It will melt away......

 

I'll try that as soon as I get paid. Thanks man

 

Keep us informed please.

 

mine ticks too so I'll be trying this during my next oil change. How long should you run this setup?