CenCaliAlum2010

Hey guys I've gotten into an engine element I unfortunately don't have a lot of experience in, and would like to see if some of you fellow jeep enthusiasts could help me out. I've searched around and have found a few things but nothing certain or specific enough

The 2.5l has a slight knocking that doesnt get louder with higher revs. At idle under the hood you can hear what seems to be a slight lifter knock but it doesn't seem to be a big issue yet. Is this common in jeeps and could it run like this a long time? Keep in mind she's got somewhere around 250k on her now and hasn't seen a lot of shop hours, mostly just my front driveway doing smaller bolt-on fixes.

Are the lifters a very difficult fix to do for an at-home mechanic? I know once you remove the head there's a lot of work that needs to be done to re-surface and prep it for proper reassembly, and I might as well do some other work in there while I'm doin this open-head surgery haha

I've had this jeep for about 5 months as a DD and i love it. My brother had it for about 7 years before me for the same use (commuting to college and work has put down a lot of freeway miles) I know he wasn't the best on keeping her up but I would like to do everything I can now to keep her running for a long time.

so do you guys think new lifters/rockers maybe springs/piston work and a nice engine resurface is worthwhile and also something I can do myself on a pretty tight budget?

freegdr

first thing i would do is remove the accesory belts and start motor to see if its actually the motor other things can make noises while the motor is running just dont let it run to long ,if the noise is gone check all thing that the belts were turing for play

CenCaliAlum2010

thats a good idea, I'll do that when I get home. I'm currently listening to it in the campus parking lot in between my grad courses so I'm limited to diagnosing the problem besides the Internet

Just from ear It sounds like it's coming from under the head cover and resembles a tractor (I actually don't mind that in a jeep haha) but I know it's not an exhaust leak, and it's got me worried that it could get worse or cause a catastrophic failure all together

freegdr

no over heating and good oil pressure is a good sign.

CenCaliAlum2010

I'm sure there's a jeep owner out there that has done this or had a similar issue right?

Hoooper

You sure it doesn't increase with RPM? Doesnt make a lot of sense, I can't think if anything under the valve cover that wouldn't increase with RPM.

CenCaliAlum2010

My bad I shoulda been more clear. it doesn't increase in sound, but it does increase in speed when you push on the throttle. It just gets drowned out by engine noise at some point so I get the feeling that it's not an immediate problem but I may be wrong

Hoooper

Ooo, makes a lot more sense. Is it more of a tick, like if you lightly click two pieces of metal together, or a knock?

CenCaliAlum2010

It would be more along the lines of a ticking noise, "knocking" is somewhat of a harsh term for it I guess haha. It does sound like what rods and lifters might sound like after over a decade of heavy use tho

Fanmanj

Could be a broken timing chain tensioner. My friends '91 wrangler with a 2.5 sounded like a diesel before we changed the timing set and tensioner.

Hoooper

ticking+under the valve cover+increasing with revs...most likely = lifters. Probably just need an adjustment

cpnwrench

my beauty has been "ticking" for over 150k miles,,,,,she no bother me at all, am still getting great mileage and smooth running....

but i have the 4.0 liter 6 cyl..

might be cuz of oil i am using but, it has been a great vehicle and will continue to run her like she is until she gives up the ghost!!!

if it bothers you, then yeah do what you can to eliminate....could be combination of rocker and lifter wear.......could also be accessory too as was mentioned.

my 2 cent worth here,

cpnwrench