Alright so I'm kind of new to everything Jeeps but I bought my first 2000 XJ about a month ago, and ever since I have noticed this noise. I've heard the 4.0's are noisy engines but I'm just wondering if this is normal. Also, this may be completely irrelevant but the other day I did my first oil change on the Jeep. It had Penzoil in in : ( and I put Castrol 10w30 in with an STP filter. I was being stupid and thought it only took around 5 quarts so I added around like 4.5 or 4.75. My dipstick was still at safe though. After figuring out it took 6, I added some more (probably another 1/2 qt) and It reads just about to the A in SAFE. I doubt I did any damage, but I'm just wondering what this noise is and if it has anything to do with the oil. I've been told the flexplate bolts tend to come loose and this seems like it. Or maybe I'm just being too paranoid and imagining something that doesn't exist. Please listen to this video (speakers should be turned up) and tell me what you think. Thanks.

 

Hi and welcome to CF from Tj...Sounds like it could be the Flex plate or even an exhaust leak. How many miles on the motor...Tj

 

Yea I was also thinking possibly exhaust leak. There are currently about 90k on the entire Jeep.

 

That Mileage is nothing for a 4.0 I6. I have 230,000 and still running strong. Get some more opinions but I'm sure its only an exhaust leak...Tj

 

Yea it does have low mileage. And everything is perfect about it. Oil pressure it great, temp is nearly steady at 210 and it seems to run excellent idle and all. Are the flexplate bolts usually something that happens with higher mileage? Also, is there any way to narrow it down to an exhaust leak? If it helps, it seems to be more audible when I crawl underneath, hence the reasoning for the video being shot right behind the front driver's tire.

 

start it up and start listening around the exhaust manifold then underneath and "Feel" for leaks but be careful cause it will be hot...Tj

 

Alright great thanks for your help Tj.