crystalion

It could be water/antifreeze mix boiling off. Possible busted head ?

sthon

Does it even with the engine cold.

TheJerm

Maybe something to do with crankcase vent being clogged? causing air to flow down the dip stick tube and push its was up causing oil to splatter against the valve cover?

just throwing ideas out there

sthon

Very possible, I did notice oil on my air filter which also suggests a clog.

razor02097

I would bet it has to do with the exhaust. Either a crack in the manifold, exhaust joint creaking or a heat shield expanding and contracting.

sthon

Even though it does it with the engine cold? Even if it sits for a day or two and I start it up for less than 30 seconds and shut it off it still does it. With that in mind it doesn't seem to be heat related at all. I'm also positive it's not coming from the exhaust manifold.

razor02097

If you start the engine and put your hand on the exhaust manifold... how long do you think you can hold onto it? Bet it's way less than 30 seconds.

Just sayin

cpnwrench

You got the MICROWAVE option didn't you?



why not post a video so's we can hear it?

if its popcorning AFTER the vehicle is shut off (even cold), there is vapor/gases/fumes trying to find a path of least resistance to escape and is probably finding a loose part within to rattle around.

(broken spring, chipped valve, somethin)

all conjecture on my part sir, but thats what it sounds like to me.

might even be a broken peice of plastic , possibly from one of the two fittings on the valve cover. ( probly not tho).

good luck!

cpnwrench

Agent_Oragnge

thats what i thought it was last page. exhaust. oil just sprutting around once the engine if off ... just doesn't make sense in my mind. but those super durable exhausts that the XJ are famous for does make sense .

sthon

Just started it up and shut it off right after starting, still does it. I haven't had it running since yesterday afternoon prior to just starting it. Surely running for less than 3 seconds is not enough time for it to heat up.

My exhaust is ****ered though, but that accounts for a completely different noise =p the rattle as it moves around the muffler and the banging when the tail pipe hits the hitch. I had the exhaust replaced a while back, but the muffler has taken a few hard hits and is need of replacement again. This noise has been going on prior to replacing the exhaust and since.

sthon

I'll see about getting a video up later today.

razor02097

Not the muffler I was talking about the exhaust manifold and possibly the joint that connects to the down pipe which is the pipe the connects the manifold to the catalytic converter. Keep in mind that there essentially is hot gasses from fire going through the exhaust manifold while the engine runs... if there is a crack that part will heat up even faster. My 1994 XJ had a metallic pinging sound after shutdown. It sounds like the same thing you describe. The exhaust manifold was the cause.

Bustedback

For the win.

sthon

Is that a bad thing? Doesn't sound like it, but it's not normal. So what would be causing it?

sthon

Now it's not doing it, go figure. When it starts up again I will get a video.