cruiser54

It will work.

still_alive

What made you rule out the lifters? When you pulled the valve cover to check to see if the rockers were loose was the engine warm or cold? I ask this because you should have done it warm because a bad lifter can appear to be working but not be pumping oil. When its warm and you pull the cover all the rockers should be filled with oil not almost dry. My buddy also had a problem that he thought was a rod knock, I got him to switch from crappy oil to a premium synthetic and it went away completely.

r_slash_t

It was pretty warm when I did it. And the rockers had plenty of oil.

r_slash_t

Ok so I change the oil filter and nothing changed. I ran it about 15 mins and it got quiet but still there. I didn't get to check the flex plate bolts but after listening to it run its definitely coming from the motor.

still_alive

what kind of oil are you running in it? brand, type, and weight... the oil could not be staying in or getting in the lower bearings well enough to lubricate good. I run castrol syntec titanium 10w30, its expensive but damn good oil and fixed my buddies jeep that had a slight bottom end knock you can't hear it anymore and he hasn't gone back from that oil since

straightsixjeep

Iv had a very similar noise with my 98'. When I purchased it the jeep sounded like it had valve train clatter and also the oil psi gauge would read low after warming up. I changed the oil and filter to discover very dirty oil and a more than likely plugged filter. After doing this the oil psi increased. Iv changed the oil and filter around 3 times in the last 2k miles and not only have my oil psi gone up, the clatter is a lot better. One of the best filters is a Pure One Purolator filter with Rotella T 10w30 oil. It has a very high zinc content which these engines like, and yes it is diesel oil. I did quite a bit of reading on what oil and filter people have the best luck with, and all point out to never use a Fram filter. A few more questions and underhood tinkering sessions and Im sure you will get this figured out.

cruiser54

Shine a flashlight down into the oil filler hole and see what the rockers look like. All sludged up?

r_slash_t

when i took the vale cover off the were really clean.

r_slash_t

i know its synthetic 10w or so i was told by previous owner but don't remember the brand

cruiser54

Still check the flexplate bolts. Those knocks can travel and confuse you.

kennzz05

dude believe us we know that you THINK theres no way its the flexplate bolts and in youre mind you are ready to change the motor, been there thought that.
just go out lay on yer azz and check the bolts its so common its not funny, mine just did it and it even made the motor idle funny and jump around a little, bottom line it WAS the flexplate bolts so just go do it. dont forget the red locktite

still_alive

from the sound of that video it sounds like valvetrain. did you check to make sure all the rocker arm bolts we tight and make sure there was no play in the top end? if you decide to pull the valve cover back off do it like this...go out to COLD engine..start it, let it run just enough for the lifters to pump up 30 secs or so, turn it off and pull valve cover to see how much oil is in the rockers...if you check it after its already warmed up completely it defeats the purpose cause you've already stated it almost goes away when its warm

cruiser54

slash, you're wearing us out here. Back away from the keyboard and monitor. Get under the frickin' Jeep and follow this write-up for crying out loud!!

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

You don't want to earn this merit badge.

freegdr

Its a half an hour out of you life you wont miss and id say 90% of the time there loose or flywheels cracked ....

cruiser54

Nice going, freegdr. You scared him off.