McHank

Hi,

I have a XJ -94 that has the usual ticking sound at start and then goes away. However, it seems that, at random, it will give a flapping / ticking sound that follows the engine. I haven't checked the manifold closely yet but would a cracked manifold give an intermittent ticking noise that follows the engine output?

I.e, in 4th gear and doing freeway uphill, it gives out tick – longish pause – tick – longish tick ...
But in 2nd and with some push to the throttle it gives out a more frequent tick–tick–tick.

This will be almost random, if I give the same throttle to it when on flat surface there is almost no ticking (guessing from lifters).

Anyone know about this?

Thanks,
McHank

02tj

Dirty lifter. use half of a quart of trans fluid in the oil. over time it will clean it out.

McHank

Ok, so it isn't the manifold you think?
I had a look at the rockers and some did look a bit dry. Am running 5w40 synthetic right now and the ticking has reduced a bit since (2 weeks ago).

If running trans fluid, just pour some Dexron 3 in there?

02tj

could also be the exhaust manifold but that usualy goes away after warm up.

McHank

It does quite down a bit, but still has a ticking or fluttering sound under some strain.

Would a cracked manifold tick/flutter with the engine and gears or does that more relate to lifters?

cruiser54

Why don't you grab a flashlight and crawl under YOUR Jeep and have a look for cracks in the manifold?

ThunderThighs

I have the same problem just recently which I suspect is due to the cold. I've also noticed that it seems to tick mostly about half way up to operating temperature (about a quarter ways up on the temp gauge) so I'm kind of wondering the same thing.
Any pointers on where I should be looking for? Like where the usual problem areas are?
Oh and how serious is this problem?
Thanks

NYsNumba1Man

I have the same problem. Any other advice?

DFlintstone

Maybe take a 9/16 socket with a bunch of extensions with you under there and snug up the nuts on the header pipe doughnut.

McHank

Thanks, I will try that. I have looked as far as I've could at the manifold and can't really see any cracks but the car is puffing out exhaust fumes from somewhere which I smell when I pop the hood at idle.

It also seems to behave differently if i floor it for a sec and then back to cruising speed; the ticking then goes down for a while, but after a stop and with some gas it comes right back. Could that be due to backpressure in the exhaust?

DFlintstone

You smell it? Yea, check the doughnut. You might want to put a wrench to a couple easy to reach manifold bolts. If you find some loose, you need to gently tighten all of them starting from the center working out. Back-pressure? Sure there is some, more when you gas it. Don't know what to say there. If it runs like **** after you tighten the header-pipe flange, loosen it again!

Firestorm500

It's a Jeep. If it's not making any noises, it's not running.



If you smell exhaust under the hood, also check for cracked exhaust manifold.