I have a 92 xj with the 4.0 motor and just a few days ago I noticed a ticking sound after I turn the motor off. Its kind of a rapid ticking and is coming from somewhere around the valve cover/head area...any ideas? Maybe lifters sticking?

 

It's the engine and exhaust manifold cooling off, normal. If the the engine is no longer running how would sticking lifters make noise?

 

Oil draining back down to the pan? I have a dripping noise. Wouldn't call it a tick per say.

That's my only guess.

 

Well its a lot louder and more obnoxious sounding than a normal ticking sound when an engine cools. It sounds like something is still trying to spin or move in the motor...

 

Electric fan slowing to a stop?

 

I think you are right! I think it is your lifters especially after you shut off your engine...

 

Give this girl a break! I know the motor has to be running for them to stick it just SOUNDS like its coming from that area. And I checked, it's not the electric fan. I've had my jeep for a while and it's never made this sound til this week so I'm just puzzled by what it could be..

 

My '91 does this, but mine is coming from the cat and muffler. It's just the parts cooling down. It's normal even if you haven't noticed it before.

 

Mine does the same thing when I shut it off and it is just the engine cooling down. It might be doing it more now that it is getting warmer and causing you to run a little warmer.
BTW, I was just messing with you. Because it did sound kind of funny.

 

Hopefully thats all it is...it just doesn't sound normal. But it Did start right after I fixed my e-fan. Since the weather has been hot here in utah my jeep started overheating cuz my relay was bad. So I fixed it and my fan started working. Now I notice the noise.

 

It's this.

 

Mine just started to do this yesterday. First time in over 170k miles I've ever heard it. It's just as you described. Did you ever come to a solution or did it cause you any further problems?

 

Take a video. Would probably help more educated users diagnose your problem.

 

It's called dieseling
Not sure what the cause of it is.. My 87 4.0 would do it
Still running @ 266k

 

It's just everything cooling down and contracting. You can also hear the oil draining down to the pan if you listen closely.

Dieseling is when the motor keeps barely running after it is suppose to shut off. This can be seen in the super 8 film or Grumpy old men film after the guy hits the trash cans.