Topic: Valve tapping, my favorite.

[Chris]

So, I come off the highway on my way home, and as I take it out of gear, I hear a pretty loud tapping. Upon further inspection, the tapping sound only occurs when i'm idling, when I'm on the gas, it perfect. no loss of power, no sounds. Oil was not abnormally low, nothing obvious as a cause. I haven't had a chance to look at it yet(it was dark when I got home) but I'm thinking I need some new lifters, I haven't done this before, from my manual, it looks easy. Not particularly looking to replace the cam at this point, unless someone wants to convince me otherwise! The manual also lists the water pump as a possible tapping/clicking sound, and also could be a possiblity, since I burned one up on the highway about 6 months ago. Not a great introduction, but this looks like a great place! I drive an 89' yj 2.5, on 31's.
I guess my question is, why the heck isn't it tapping under load? I hope it's not something serious I need a complete teardown for, because I don't have the time to do that!

[Tall Boy]

Mine taps at idle with 105,000 miles, since hmm... quite some mileage ago. I am going to put in some Marvel Mystery oil for the next oil change.

A water pump will leak out the peep hole when bad. My water pump is as old as my Jeep(6 years)  and aftermarket pumps will NOT go on MY Jeep. They last maybe 2 years.  Get a stethoscope at Kragen or someplace for like $10.00 and isolate the problem.

[Guardian7]

http://www.4bangerjp.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1910

[Chris]

Awesome info! Thanks!  I've heard of people just replacing the lifters, and not having an issue with the new lifters, old cam. Whats your opinion on that?

[Guardian7]

I have done just lifters when my wallet was low on bucks, it's better than doing nothing. I have also read about a tool which lets your pull lifters out through the heads push rod openings making things a lot easier. For now you could just run a high detergent oil which may clean the lifter valves up a bit. I have had good luck with Mobil 1 20-50W. More frequent oil changes will also help to clean the lifter valves if they have not completely failed.

[Chris]

Yeah, I was thinking of changing the oil and putting in some good cleaner first, I listened to it for a bit today, cyclinder 1, sounds like. When I turn it off, the lifter keeps on opening and closing, like it has it's own mind.....

[Chris]

So, I changed the oil to a mean 20w 50, and dumped in a quart of that marvel mystery oil, and I'm hoping for the best. I had the valve cover off today, and boy, theres alot of build-up on the rockers and pushrods. I suppose in about 200-300 miles, I'll change it again, and this time I think I'm going to try Seafoam. I can pull the lifters without pulling the head off, but I'm a little scared at replacing them without putting in a new cam. I guess this Is a good thing though, it's got me exicted to be working on my Jeep again, and tomorrow, I'm going to pull the intake and exhaust manifolds, to replace the gasket that shoots my idle to the sky. You guys have any problem with finding manifold warpage when you do this? I've noticed a few of you with exhaust leaks have done this one already. I don't see any reason the replace the gasket if the things warped, it won't help!

[gharger]

So, I come off the highway on my way home, and as I take it out of gear, I hear a pretty loud tapping. Upon further inspection, the tapping sound only occurs when i'm idling, when I'm on the gas, it perfect. no loss of power, no sounds. Oil was not abnormally low, nothing obvious as a cause. I haven't had a chance to look at it yet(it was dark when I got home) but I'm thinking I need some new lifters, I haven't done this before, from my manual, it looks easy. Not particularly looking to replace the cam at this point, unless someone wants to convince me otherwise! The manual also lists the water pump as a possible tapping/clicking sound, and also could be a possiblity, since I burned one up on the highway about 6 months ago. Not a great introduction, but this looks like a great place! I drive an 89' yj 2.5, on 31's.
I guess my question is, why the heck isn't it tapping under load? I hope it's not something serious I need a complete teardown for, because I don't have the time to do that!

My 2.5 with 160,000 miles on it clicks only at idle also. Found it to be from the alternator. I can spray some WD40 behind the pulley, let it set for a while, re-start it and no noise for a day or two...

[Chris]

I looked at the lifters, they don't look very worn, so I'm thinking of replacing them. One question, Should I have to adjust the preload on the new lifters? Thats the only part I'm not looking forward to, after doing some research.