Topic: Engine Tick

[JFortner5]

I've been noticing this lately.  I've only had the Jeep about 6 weeks, it has 152k miles.  I cranked it up today after work, and had to run back inside for a minute. When I first cranked it, I didn't hear the ticking. I came back out about a minute or two later, and tick tick tick.... Its pretty loud, it seems a little louder than the first time I heard it. Maybe its just me worrying about it. It only lasted a couple miles or so and stopped. Sometimes it seems to last a little longer.

What does piston slap sound like? I was also thinking maybe the timing chain is a possibility, but I would think it would do it all the time.

I don't know what I want to do yet. I am weighing all of my options. One option is to drive it and see if it blows up, but I don't really have the money to rebuild the engine. The other option is to dive into this one and replace the cam and lifters. Option three is to sell it for what I have in it, and find another one.


I forgot to mention, the engine has roughly 45-50psi oil pressure at idle on a cold start up. Once it warms idling it has about 35psi. I guess around 1500rpm and up it has about 50-60psi.  I don't know what oil is in it, the last oil change was done by the PO.

Thanks,
Joey
 

[Jeffy]

More then likely, it's an exhaust leak.  Some valve tick is normal under start-up but it should go away once it warms up.  Piston-slap sounds more like someone shaking a tambourine inside your engine.  Normally you would be blowing some smoke out the exhaust as well.    Piston slap is caused by too much clearance between the piston and the cylinder walls.  Enough so the piston shakes in the cylinder as it moves up and down.

[sharpxmen]

I've been noticing this lately.  I've only had the Jeep about 6 weeks, it has 152k miles.  I cranked it up today after work, and had to run back inside for a minute. When I first cranked it, I didn't hear the ticking. I came back out about a minute or two later, and tick tick tick.... Its pretty loud, it seems a little louder than the first time I heard it. Maybe its just me worrying about it. It only lasted a couple miles or so and stopped. Sometimes it seems to last a little longer.

What does piston slap sound like? I was also thinking maybe the timing chain is a possibility, but I would think it would do it all the time.

I don't know what I want to do yet. I am weighing all of my options. One option is to drive it and see if it blows up, but I don't really have the money to rebuild the engine. The other option is to dive into this one and replace the cam and lifters. Option three is to sell it for what I have in it, and find another one.


I forgot to mention, the engine has roughly 45-50psi oil pressure at idle on a cold start up. Once it warms idling it has about 35psi. I guess around 1500rpm and up it has about 50-60psi.  I don't know what oil is in it, the last oil change was done by the PO.

Thanks,
Joey
 

first you should change the oil, i usually use synthetic 10w but depends on the climate you live in as well

by the way you describe it sounds like a hydraulic lifter, they are cheap and easy to replace - if you go that route you should also replace the pushrods.

[JFortner5]

Wow that was fast.  I am almost positive its not an exhaust leak.  I checked the manifold really close last time I had an exhaust leak.  It turned out to be further down the line. 

Anwway, when you change the lifters, should you change the cam? 

[sharpxmen]

Wow that was fast.  I am almost positive its not an exhaust leak.  I checked the manifold really close last time I had an exhaust leak.  It turned out to be further down the line. 

Anwway, when you change the lifters, should you change the cam? 

not unless it's worn, you can measure the lift on each valve with a dial indicator if you want to make sure, they are usually good but the lifters are the culprit.

One thing you should check are the rockers (contact point with the valve tip at least)

[JFortner5]

With a feeler gauge, or just check for signs of wear or damage? 

Thanks again guys for the help.  It is nice to find a place just for these engines. 

[Jeffy]

Wow that was fast.  I am almost positive its not an exhaust leak.  I checked the manifold really close last time I had an exhaust leak.  It turned out to be further down the line. 

Anwway, when you change the lifters, should you change the cam? 

Have you tried listening for it with a screwdriver, wooden rod, etc...

[JFortner5]

Not yet, will do tomorrow.  Just say it is a lifter, is that a really bad thing?  I know its not good, but I guess what I am asking is what kind of timeframe do I have to fix it?  I don't want it to grenade on the way to work tomorrow.

[sharpxmen]

With a feeler gauge, or just check for signs of wear or damage? 

Thanks again guys for the help.  It is nice to find a place just for these engines. 

you have to take the rockers off to replace the lifters, no feeler gauge needed, check visually and  by touch

Have you tried listening for it with a screwdriver, wooden rod, etc...

that's a good suggestion

Not yet, will do tomorrow.  Just say it is a lifter, is that a really bad thing?  I know its not good, but I guess what I am asking is what kind of timeframe do I have to fix it?  I don't want it to grenade on the way to work tomorrow.

won't grenade if it is a lifter, if it's something else I don't know

 

[dwtaylorpdx]

The 2.5 manifold usually cracks on the back right in the center and makes a ticking noise when it first does it.

The valve train is noisy in the 2.5,,,

If you pull the valve cover and run the engine you can find a noisy lifter by
pressing on each rocker on the valve end. Usually the culprit stops when you push on it.

I've also had to tighten the nuts/studs that hold my rockers in place...

Dave

[sharpxmen]

I've also had to tighten the nuts/studs that hold my rockers in place...

Dave

on the Jeep? they're bolts, no studs/nuts.

[easyup]

Dad always said up to a 1/2 quart of Marvel Mystery Oil in the crankcase might unstick a lifter and it has worked on at least one 2.5 with 126,000, mine.

[JFortner5]

Alright, another day, more ticking.  I tried to replicate yesterday.  I cranked the Jeep, popped the hood and waited.  After about 30 seconds of running, the ticking started kind of faint, but then picked up to its normal volume.  This is what it always does.  This time I was ready with my wooden dowel.  I held it to my hear and the noise is definitely coming from under the valve cover.  While I had the stick in my hand and people looking at me like I was nuts, I proceeded to listen to all areas of the engine.  The bottom end sounded good, as did the side.  Not real sure what I was checking for there, maybe piston slap or something, but it sounded okay too.   I also stuck it to the alternator, I have heard people say that they can make a ticking sound.

Once I isolated the noise, I was jamming the stick around in there listening some more, and it stopped.  It did not gradually quiet itself down, it just quit instantly.  I guess my new theory is a lifter.  Its like it takes it a minute to pump up with oil but when it does it pumps right up. 

[Jeffy]

Alright, another day, more ticking.  I tried to replicate yesterday.  I cranked the Jeep, popped the hood and waited.  After about 30 seconds of running, the ticking started kind of faint, but then picked up to its normal volume.  This is what it always does.  This time I was ready with my wooden dowel.  I held it to my hear and the noise is definitely coming from under the valve cover.  While I had the stick in my hand and people looking at me like I was nuts, I proceeded to listen to all areas of the engine.  The bottom end sounded good, as did the side.  Not real sure what I was checking for there, maybe piston slap or something, but it sounded okay too.   I also stuck it to the alternator, I have heard people say that they can make a ticking sound.

Once I isolated the noise, I was jamming the stick around in there listening some more, and it stopped.  It did not gradually quiet itself down, it just quit instantly.  I guess my new theory is a lifter.  Its like it takes it a minute to pump up with oil but when it does it pumps right up. 

They do take a minute or so to stop making noise.  Usually driving a 1/4-1/2 mile will clear them up.

[JFortner5]

This sounds like it is just one lifter.  Its not all of them making the noise.