99 XJ....This past Saturday I drained and filled the transmission fluid (vavoline dex/merc), changed the oil (Penzoil 10w30 fram filter), and changed the front diff fluid (vavoline full synthetic). I am now hearing a small tick at idle once the engine is warm. I'm not sure if it started before those changes or after but it's here now. When I turn the car off and back on the sound is gone until I drive the car and go back to idle. Any ideas? I will be replacing the valve gasket in a couple days. Should I look for something while doing that?

 

Look at the threads I started and you'll find something very similar to what you're talking about. My jeep makes the exact same noise

 

Its a jeep thing...just drive it.

 

Exactly. Not much you can do.

 

I'm new to the forum, how do I look at your past threads?

 

Click on my profile( just click on my image icon or name) and click threads I started

 

I read the thread. From my understanding let it be or rebuild it entirely? What have you done?

 

Yes that's everyones solution. I just purchased this jeep a month ago and I want to know that it is in solid running condition before I dish out a nice chunk of money on lift and tires.

 

My advice, let it be. It doesn't really mess with performance. Just some junk in the lifters. Just keep changing your oil. That's pretty much all you can do. Unless you want to take everything apart and waste your cash. Just kinda have to go with it. You can try marvels mystery oil. Add some of that in but it didn't do anything to mine and mines an 89

 

I've come to the realization that it has to be the injectors. I would also ditch the Fram filter. In my opinion based on anecdotal evidence they're garbage. I get a higher oil pressure reading when using a Mobil-1 or a Wix.

 

I agree with KD on the filter, even though I use a Fram I will be switching next oil change but yeah switch filters next time the frams really are junky and cheap

 

ok I have a leak from a bad gasket in the valve cover so I will be changing the gasket and replacing the spark plugs, wiring set, distributor cap etc. Should I change anything else while in that area. Also I read some ppl are using thicker oil, are any of you doing this for ticking sound? Lastly what oil/filter that is good and not expensive.

 

Napa gold oil filter. And I've used thicker oil and still got the ticking noise. Only suggestions buddy is to just keep changing the oil and turn your tunes up inside and drown that noise out lol. Mines been ticking for about a year. Don't stress, not much there is to do.

 

Make sure you get a Fel-Pro blue gasket for your valve cover. Can you hear this ticking in the cab while it's driving? Are you sure your header isn't cracked? Since the 4.0 is such a torquey bastard they're prone to crack. Does the pitch or sound change as you accelerate?

 

I only hear the sound in the cab while I'm stopped at a light or in traffic. As for driving I don't hear anything. Maybe the tick accelerates a little but goes away. The header, not sure if it's cracked.