Ok so I have a 98 xj with a 4.0 and 126,000 on it. I recently developed a loud tick in the bottom of my engine. This is pretty loud when its cold and gets quite when the engine warms up. It's still there but not so noticeable. I have good oil pressure and oil has been changed every 3000 since I have owned it. I bought it with 23000 on it. So what could this be and is it a serious problem? Sorry so long

 

Sounds like the bearings are going...

 

I might be wrong here but couldn't loose flex plate bolts or cracked plate cause a knocking sound from the bottom of the engine?

 

If you wanna make sure it's not flexplate bolts, use this link from a fellow CF member:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/how...ocking-125547/

 

Well after watching that video it seems that mine is no where near as loud. I will give it a try and see how it goes. Thanks for the info.

 

Piston slap when cold is pretty common with the 4.0. It normally quiets down once the engine warms up.

This site has some really good audio examples of rod noise, piston slap, lifters, etc. Perhaps you can identify your noise that way. Scroll down a bit and you'll find the youtube links.

http://www.silveradoss.com/forums/to...engine-sounds/