Hi. I have a 1989 jeep xj. 4.0 now a 4.7.
Was rebuilt 70k ago.
In the last 6k or so it has been making this odd knocking. It is loudest where the head and intake/exhaust meet. I have noticed it can be intermediate, and will sometimes go away when warm. The noise is more distinct when the jeep is cold.
The jeep runs like it is starving for fuel unless it's above 3100 rpms.
I've replaced iac, tps, cps, plugs wires cap and rotor, map sensor, and temperature sending unit. I have also checked the flexplate for loose bolts and exhaust manifold for cracks. I've ran compression and all were acceptable. Cylinder one was the lowest at 155.
I'm unsure whether the run ability problem has something to do with the knock or not, but they started about the same time.
I have a good video, but not sure how to post it or if that's a thing as soon as I can I will upload it to YouTube and post a link.

 

Too lazy to bother with punctuation to make his post readable, but expects everyone to sort out his word salad and donate their time and expertise to help him.

Nope.

 

I apologize for the "word salad" I wrote it in about 2 minutes before I went to work dont worry I will retype it to try to make it better. Just saying a simple hey could you retype this would work too.

 

Yeah, editing with punctuation would be good.
Then we could help.

 

I agree.

 

Hey guys I went back and retyped it is it still not proper? I re-read it and it seemed like it was OK not a 100% if the edit didn't work or what the case is.

 

I fixed it up for ya a little bit more. Thanks for not going ape because we said something!!!!

Stethoscope is your friend.

Is the knock load related?

 

To be honest cruiser im not sure. It is very noticeable at idle and it doesn't seem to get louder under load it pretty well goes away at about 2,300 rpms or so.
And I didn't have one on hand but I tried the screwdriver and that didn't work but it definitely is louder near the 1st cyl and on top of the motor near where exhaust/intake meet the head

 

The stethoscopes are worthwhile. Way easier to pinpoint the noises.

 

Stethoscopes are pretty cheap at Harbor Freight if you need something quick and don't want to invest in a quality tool.

 

Will do I'll pick one up tonight. Another thing I noticed this morning is idling in park the noise will change tones it goes from a dull noise to a very sharp one. Then it decides that it wants to go quiet and almost be gone for a few then comes back.

 

Here's the video

 

Its always hard to tell exactly how the noise sounds from a video but my guess is you got a rod bearing going out or is already out....

When was the last time you changed the oil and were there any sparkles in the oil?

 

I change the oil about every 3 to 3500 miles delo 15 40 no metal shaving

 

An oil analysis is rather inexpensive if you want to know what's in the oil. I use Blackstone Laboratories for my engines.