I yesterday I noticed that my 4.0 started ticking. It seems to be low end as it gets louder when you put your head underneath the Jeep. Is this a lifter tick or something far worse? I don't really have the money for this engine to crap out. 98 XJ Sport with 199701 miles on it. Oil level is good and so is the pressure. Is this bad news?

 

The ticking on top sounds like injectors.


Couldn't get the sound under the engine - you moved around too much.


Add some 'Restore' to the crankcase and move along.

 

Excuse my lack of knowledge. What is that?

 

The fuel injectors make a ticking sound as they are activated. If you have problem in the bottom end of the motor it's usually a knock rather than tick.

 

Congratulations, you have a normal sounding Jeep 4.0 inline six.

 

What? Restore? Go to an auto parts store, they have it on the shelf.

 

Thanks guys. I need to stop reading the forum posts. It makes me super paranoid so when this sound came out of nowhere it scared me. Now its gone.

 

It will be back.


Stay on top of your oil changes and use a Wix or Napa Gold filter. This helps.