Topic: My 1st JEEP please advise --noise from the engine

[HorsePilot]

This is my first JEEP. 97' wrangler sport 136k miles. All in good looking shape. Starts right up real easy runs good . Has 35 tires so you know what kind of power I have with the stock 4banger. I have put about 1000 miles on her.Love the little critter! - all seems to be well till the other day I heard a little tapping -checked the oil,added a little. Seemed to go away. The next week or so the noise is back to stay  . You can hear it at start up sometimes right away sometimes not but it is there. It does not get worse at speed. The oil pressure has been indicating 40 psi. Oil looks good . Father inlaw says sounds like lifter not a rod.

Question, at 135k miles what is about to go south on these little 4bangers? Lets pretend it has seen normal duty and care till now. Do I need to worry about the timeing chain falling off any day now? I must figure out this noise first but should I be looking for a spair motor??  What ch'all think??

Please advise :)

[Beachbum]

WELCOME ABOARD, you'll find tons of useful information on this sight. I have a 91 wrangler that has 135 K on the clock also, it makes plenty of lifter noise. I'm going to rebuild the top end of the engine if I ever get time. I've got all the parts, I just can't seem to park the Jeep long enough to work on it. From hanging around this sight for a while and looking around on others I've decided lifter noise is common from these motors with high mileage.

[Jeffy]

A little valve noise is common on all 2.5L's and 4.0L's.

[Jesse-James]

Mine sounds like a tractor when I start it, quiets down a little after warm up. Several people have told me the only thing it affects is your ears.

[HorsePilot]

Yea ,  I hear what y'all are saying but this JUST started. Guess I'l get my scope out and try to zero in on just where the noise is - top or bottom. Mean while what does a fair shap used 2.5 go for these days?? Just in case... :?

[Guardian7]

HYDRAULIC LIFTERS!