Hey all. I know there have been countless posts about the infamous 4.0 lifter tick. I’ve read them, and have gotten peace of mind from the fact that it seems like a common and harmless occurrence.

I’ve got a stock 98 XJ w/ 126k original miles. On a recent oil change I noticed metallic shavings in the used oil- not a lot, but certainly enough to notice. Far as I could tell, no chunks, just metallic flakes like in high dollar auto paint. FYI I was running rotella t6 5-40 with a Wix.

Do you guys with lifter tick notice this too? Is it something to be concerned about? I know metal in oil is never a good thing.

As far as noises, I’ve had this ticking noise since I got the Jeep, 7 months ago, and it’s stayed about the same. Pretty sure it’s not a rod or anything like that. Doesn’t seem loud enough to be a piston, it really sounds like common 4.0 tick.

I’m now tempted to try an oil treatment to quiet things down, maybe something like Engine Restore, which I’ve read good things about on these forums. I plan to sell the Jeep in the next year or so, so it doesn’t make sense to rebuild/replace.

What are y’all’s thoughts? Thanks as always.

 

I’m uploading a video of it running. Maybe someone else can hear something that I’m missing? I should mention the engine was warm.

 

I’ve got the same noise I drive it everyday I have 50pounds of oil pressure driving and 35 to 40 at idle so I’m not worried about it. You could try some marvel or seafoam before your next oil change heard great results from those 2.

 

I was listening to hear if the noise changed with the RPM but couldn't tell. To me, that sounds more like piston slap than lifters. I have a 99 that I did a piston replacement on after I experienced the notorious cracked piston skirt problem. It has made a similar noise for 7 years and 40k something miles. As XJGrason said, if the oil pressure is good, I wouldn't worry about it. You could send an oil sample to blackstone for analysis to see if you have a serious problem or not.

 

A lot of metal flakes in the oil, that is what the filter did not catch. the lifter tick is least of the worries. looks like it is getting near rebuild time.
Oil weight is not correct per my 1990 factory manual. 10w 30 for temps above 0F, or 5w 30 for temps 60F and below. If air temps are above 60F then 5w grade should not be used. the 40 weight is too thick, unless you maybe are in an exceptionally hot climate, ( in which case 5w is not warrented) or as a band aid to maintain pressure in a worn motor.

Time for some diagnostic work, examine the cam lobes, check bearings, check oil pressure with correct weight installed, check compression, etc...


good luck

 

sounds like you have an exhaust leak too.

I have an exhaust leak to and have fix that soon

my lifters with 250k+ miles tick, but no metal in oil

metal in oil is a bad sign, and I would have an oil sample analyzed

 

As everyone states...lifter tik is irrelevant....metal shavings in oil bad

 

Rotella T6 Syn 5w-40 has become the goto oil for the venerable Jeep 4.0.
A Blackstone or other quality oil analysis will tell you what the exact metal is that you are looking at.

Iron from cylinder wear, aluminum alloy from pistons, or babbitt from bearings.