Hey Everyone.

The problem.
When I start my 96 xj, i6 4.0 automatic, there's a clicking sound that comes from the engine bay, I can't exactly pinpoint the sound as of yet. The clicks become quicker with higher revs.
When the engine gets to operating temp the clicks become quieter and almost unnoticeable.

Any ideas in solutions or trouble shooting I can try for this? Any help is greatly appreciated!

A bit of background.
The car first started making this sound after having sat around for about a month not being driving, this was due to an issue with the ignition coil and Crankshaft sensor (both were replaced). These were fixed before the car sat around. A few days after it's first run it started this problem.

The previous owner did not take very good car of this car and I've been trying to restore it back to its former glory but what this means is there is a fair bit of damage and rust around the place so anything rust related ( holes etc) that would cause this could be a high possibility.

It's last 4wd trip before the issue was on the beach so sand and salt could also be a contributor to any failure.


Another issue that occurred around the same time - could be related or not.
After it's month rest and around the same time the clicking started the car also began to run hotter than normal.
When I became the owner I replaced the thermostat and radiator and it run normally just above 1/4 of the gauge. Since the clicking it now climbs to around 2/6 on the higher and 3/5 in traffic.
This lead me to believe a possible water pump issue after looking in the Haynes manual do that is then line I'm currently following.
Also I'm an Aussie so I've left the temperatures out to avoid confusion with the measurement

Thanks for any help that can be provided
Tim

 

Try this and report back:

When you start it and it begins clicking, shut it off. Start it back up in 10 to 20 seconds. Clicking gone?

What brand of oil filter is on it?

 

Gave it a start today to try that out. Didn't make the clicking on the first start but it was a hotter than normal day and it was at mid day so I'll try again in the morning.

Under the bonnet though there was another clicking going on whether it is related or not I'm not sure but I have a video of the sound so I'll upload that when I get home from work.

As for the filter it's a Ryco Z89A oil filter and is roughly 7000km old
www.rycofilters.com.au

 

Filter link didn't work.
Do you have Wix filters there?

 

Oy, a fellow Aussie!
Not seen any Wix here. It's pretty poor, the selection. Or it would be $30.

 

Do you have Napa parts stores?

 

Read this search.....

https://www.google.com/search?q=ryco...m=122&ie=UTF-8

 

"...under the bonnet though there was another clicking going on whether it is related or not I'm not sure but I have a video of the sound so I'll upload that when I get home from work."

The clicking under the hood (bonnet) might be coming from the evap purge solenoid. It's located on the firewall above the evap canister. It takes gas fumes from the tank/canister and sends it to the intake manifold to be burned, the ticking is normal. Put your thumb on it to feel it ticking.

 

of course we dont have parts stores like Napa, O'reilley's, Autozone, like you seem to have on every corner...we have a few autopart stores that are pretty useless in regards to jeep cherokee items. haven't explored their full range yet, but prettu much all the brands that you come across on here, wix/napa/mobil/purulator, we'd have to source online. and if they would have it, they charge an arm and leg. checked with the dealer once, $40+ for a filter...

and yes, ryco has a few bad batches, not for the Z89a or the bigger Z9 which fit the XJ. I have the 89a on there atm, and several XJ owners here have good experience with them.

once again an example, why I always envy you guys with all your available parts and choices you have....

 

well, whadayaknow. Don't wanna hijack the thread, but just to report back on the above.
I gave it another search, and actually found a Wix filter distributor here this time. Selling the Wix for the XJ's. And not for a bad price either.

EDIT: Got part number 51085 quoted for my XJ
Is that the correct part number? Had FO51515 in mind, but that filter they dont stock.

 

51085 is standard size. FO51515 is a larger Ford filter that fits.

 

Thanks C.

 

Gave the 10 second rest a go after I heard the clicking from the drivers seat today. Didn't make it go away.
Taking a video inside didn't pick up the sound either.

Got a video if the one under the bonnet but it's failing to upload, will try again after work.

It's sounds the loudest around the throttle body area, a very rapid clicking :/

 

As for the Eval purge solenoid.
I'll follow up on that and have a look but I've never noticed these clicking sounds before so I may have overlooked it previously but I'll find out

 

Photo Bucket or You Tube the video ....? Evap valves not around throttle body possible exhaust leak.....