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

 

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

 

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?

 

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

 

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?

 

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

 

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

 

I have the same problem. Any other advice?

 

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.

 

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?

 

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!

 

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.