Topic: Engine ticking noise????

[haulincats]

I was driving home from work tonight in my 98 2.5 TJ auto trans with
130,000 miles and it started making a pretty loud ticking noise.
I pulled it in the garage and tried to find where it was coming from.
It sounds like it may be coming from the bottom rear part of the engine.
It gets a little louder as you increase rpms.
Where should / how should I figure what it is?
It still seems to run just fine, I only drove it about 5 miles after the noise
started. I changed the oil about 1,000 miles ago, 5w30, its still full and clean.
It still was running normal oil pressure,
It was like 20 degrees when I left work.
Thanks,
Vance

[WranglerCOdy]

5w30?


that maybe it. not viscious enough. try heavier oil. i run 10w30.

[sharpxmen]

I was driving home from work tonight in my 98 2.5 TJ auto trans with
130,000 miles and it started making a pretty loud ticking noise.
I pulled it in the garage and tried to find where it was coming from.
It sounds like it may be coming from the bottom rear part of the engine.
It gets a little louder as you increase rpms.
Where should / how should I figure what it is?
It still seems to run just fine, I only drove it about 5 miles after the noise
started. I changed the oil about 1,000 miles ago, 5w30, its still full and clean.
It still was running normal oil pressure,
It was like 20 degrees when I left work.
Thanks,
Vance

what's you oil pressure at idle?
i would buy a mechanics stethoscope so you can listen more precisely where it's coming from (it's about $7).
if it's ticking noise would lead to a hydraulic lifter but since you're saying it's coming from the bottom rear makes one think it's a rod bearing - but in that case you should have a low oil pressure at least at idle unless the oiling canal in your crankshaft got clogged somehow (and also would be more on the clunking side rather than ticking)

[neale_rs]

Maybe an exhaust leak.  Check to see if the rear bolt on the exhaust manifold is broken.

[oldjeep]

Could also be loose bolts on the flexplate

[haulincats]

Could also be loose bolts on the flexplate

Not sure what the flex plate is.
How do I check that?
Thanks,
Vance

[sharpxmen]

Could also be loose bolts on the flexplate

yeah, good catch - missed that he's got an auto.

[oldjeep]

Not sure what the flex plate is.
How do I check that?
Thanks,
Vance

The flexplate is like a flywheel - attaches to the back of the engine.  There are 4 bolts that attach the flexplate to the torque convertor.  You have to remove the inspection cover on the trans to get at them (might also have to remove the starter to get the place off, I don't remeber).  Then you need to manually turn the motor so that you can get to each bolt and check it.

[sharpxmen]

[...] (might also have to remove the starter to get the place off, I don't remeber). [...]

for this purpose he might get away w/o removing the starter (i think he can get enough room to check the bolts), but you're right as far as removing it you need the starter off from what i recall.

[haulincats]

The flexplate is like a flywheel - attaches to the back of the engine.  There are 4 bolts that attach the flexplate to the torque convertor.  You have to remove the inspection cover on the trans to get at them (might also have to remove the starter to get the place off, I don't remeber).  Then you need to manually turn the motor so that you can get to each bolt and check it.

I pulled the inspection cover and the 4 bolts are tight. Everything looks goodin there,
no cracks in the flywheel.
Now what should I do?
Thanks,
Vance

[bammerman]

I had a noise like that and it ended up being my u-joints.

[haulincats]

I had a noise like that and it ended up being my u-joints.

I have the noise when I'm sitting still.
Thanks,
Vance

[sharpxmen]

I pulled the inspection cover and the 4 bolts are tight. Everything looks goodin there,
no cracks in the flywheel.
Now what should I do?
Thanks,
Vance

what's you oil pressure at idle?
i would buy a mechanics stethoscope so you can listen more precisely where it's coming from (it's about $7).
if it's ticking noise would lead to a hydraulic lifter but since you're saying it's coming from the bottom rear makes one think it's a rod bearing - but in that case you should have a low oil pressure at least at idle unless the oiling canal in your crankshaft got clogged somehow (and also would be more on the clunking side rather than ticking)

[jdarg]

Pull plug wires one at a time, see if the noise changes when one particular wire is disconnected.

[haulincats]

Pull plug wires one at a time, see if the noise changes when one particular wire is disconnected.

I will try that.
I changed the oil to a 5 w 30 full synthetic, didn't make any difference.
I tried the stethoscope and could not really pin point where it was coming from.
The oil presssure is 40 at an idle and a little higher driving.
Any other ideas?
Thanks,
Vance