Topic: Tapping. A new take on the source.

[arkierider]

Hello all.
Here's the scoop. I recently bought a 97 SE 2.5. Garage kept, one owner clean, clean vehicle. Never been offroad. 61,000 miles. I gave it the once over 4 times topside to underneath before buying. I changed the oil recently and put in valvoline max life 10/40 and a mobil one filter. It apparently had been running royal purple and a upgraded fram filter. After the change I got a tapping sound. It happens on idle and on rev increase. It does get quieter after warmup to a small degree. I thought piston slap, lifters, manifold leak(studs, gaskets etc)?? I read all of the forums and as much of the detail as I could find on these subjects. I read somewhere that the filter could cause this due to the back fill valve?? Anyway, I have narrowed it down to a definite tapping coming from the EGR vacuum solenoid (located on the driver side inside fender beside the vapor can). You can even feel the tapping coming from it. It has two vac hoses. One going to the vapor can and the other to the throttle intake(I think). It aslo has an electrical connection. My question is what does this part do? Should it be tapping? Could the EGR valve cause the ticking in this part? By the way, it is throwing zero codes. Any ideas,suggestions? Thanks!!!

[jcsanders79]

NO NO, Jeeps are just noisy.  I am so tired of hearing this, if you believe this you are as big of an idiot as the suggestor.  That is the dumbest advise EVER, if YOUR Jeep starts making a noise that is didn't before and you don't know why, GET IT LOOKE AT!  Sounds like you have an issue, can you get a replacement?  There are no stock parts that you should hear tapping.

[arkierider]

I agree. Noises shouldn't just be there.  I agree that it should be looked at. That's why I am looking into it.  I went to advance, auto zone, and oreilly's today and none of them have it. Apparently a dealer only part?? I think it may need replaced or is tapping due to a secondary effect from the EGR valve (somehow effecting the vacuum)?? I will call Napa and the dealership tomorrow. The reason for posting a request for info is to gain an understanding of how it works etc. Lot of wisdom available here. Plus it may help someone else in the future. Anyone with experiences or suggestions? I hate to rplace it if something else is the primary cause???

[jcsanders79]

Sorry no real help here just went on a rant because I am SOOOO tired of a few SELECT posters claiming that Jeeps are just noisy engines!  That sucks about the dealer only part, hope they are more consumer friendly in your area!!!

[arkierider]

No Problem. I appreciate your input. So does yours tap at a fast rate on idle? Like tap, tap,tap,tap,tap,tap(3 seconds). About  2 taps per second?

[jcsanders79]

No Problem. I appreciate your input. So does yours tap at a fast rate on idle? Like tap, tap,tap,tap,tap,tap(3 seconds). About  2 taps per second?

No.  The only time my 97 TJ has been noisy was right before it threw a rod.  Other than that it idels and runs simular to every vehicle I have ever owned.  Some times I think Jeffy (sorry to pick on you but you are always jumping on these noisy threads) says that Jeep engines are noisy to make him feel better about his
I have had numerous Jeeps throughout the years (Large V8 to my current 4) and NEVER have I had a noisy one that didn't have a problem!

[Rob the plumber]

I've had 3 other YJ's with some miles on them. They were all a little noisy, but ran great.

[Jeffy]

No.  The only time my 97 TJ has been noisy was right before it threw a rod.  Other than that it idels and runs simular to every vehicle I have ever owned.  Some times I think Jeffy (sorry to pick on you but you are always jumping on these noisy threads) says that Jeep engines are noisy to make him feel better about his
I have had numerous Jeeps throughout the years (Large V8 to my current 4) and NEVER have I had a noisy one that didn't have a problem!

That's because 97% of the people who have these questions have never owned an old Inline Pushrod engine before.  They are noisy compared to any modern engine design.  Some valve noise is common.  The 4.0L's are known for some piston slap as well.

This is true unless the sound is new in which case it needs to be diagnosed.  But first it's a good idea to know what normal is.  Most people aren't the first owners.  In which case it needs to be localized before anything else.  Top end, bottom end, without knowing everyones just guessing.

[Rob the plumber]

That's because 97% of the people who have these questions have never owned an old Inline Pushrod engine before.  They are noisy compared to any modern engine design.  Some valve noise is common.  The 4.0L's are known for some piston slap as well.

This is true unless the sound is new in which case it needs to be diagnosed.  But first it's a good idea to know what normal is.  Most people aren't the first owners.  In which case it needs to be localized before anything else.  Top end, bottom end, without knowing everyones just guessing.

Werd.

[jcsanders79]

Got that, my point is if it starts making an odd noise all of a sudden that it hasn't before.  You should always get it looked at by someone that knows what they are doing if you don't.  Those noiser engines don't just  all of a sudden get noise.

[black99tj]

I was looking for a jeep a few years ago and test drove one at a dealership used. Sounded great and it all checked out so I purchased it, and still own it. I changed the oil a day later and I got some surprising tapping noises as well. I did a little experimenting with it and came to the conclusion that the dealership knew about this and ran a little more oil than reccomended, which quieted the tapping. It worried me at first, but 2 years later and still never had any engine problems and the tapping never got any worse.

[jfrabat]

I heard that sometimes, it is the seals that cause the tapping.  I was told that the best way to deal with this is to put a quart of ATF in the oil, and run the engine (on idle) for about 5~10 minutes, and then change the oil.  Anyone tried this before?

[flyingbrick]

I heard that sometimes, it is the seals that cause the tapping.  I was told that the best way to deal with this is to put a quart of ATF in the oil, and run the engine (on idle) for about 5~10 minutes, and then change the oil.  Anyone tried this before?

Yeah I did that to my motor after the pop incident, and I had it running the other day for a good 20 min well I was cleaning the drive and moving it to the shop, the motor seemed to make NO noise (like a new Honda motor) not even the usual valve noises I am used to...

[black99tj]

You mean add a nother quart to the four already in it?

[jfrabat]

You mean add a nother quart to the four already in it?

Yes, but only for a very short time (as I said, 5~10 minutes, then change the oil).  I have not done it myself, but got the tip from 2 different sources who know their stuff.  I just wanted to hear from someone who actually did it to see if it is worth doing it, and to know if there were any risks...