i went to start up the xj to get to work the other day and it started ticking the more rpms the faster the tick but occasionally when i hit a bump it would go away until i hit another so far from my research it could be exhaust, a lifter or rocker arm or the flywheel bolts.

any other ideas or tips about checking these?

 

Check your oil level?

Its probably a loose bolt in your exhaust or something silly like that.

 

sounds like an exhaust leak to me good way to tell is a couple shots of seafoam (cause it burns white smoke) and look to see where it is coming from other than the tailpipe

 

I'm not sure that this would work. Once the exhaust gets hot it'll burn anywhere you spray. Even if it didn't, exhaust gases aren't usually that hot much past the end of the manifold.

 

which bolts would cause this?

 

Maybe the bolts that hold the collector to the rest of the downpipe? None of the bolts will be difficult to find or see, why not check them all?

 

i meant some seafoam into the vacuum system

 

What?

 

Seafoam is something you put in the intake and it shoots it out the exhaust. its nothing you spray on. It cleans out the inside of the engine and creats alot of white smoke.

 

Im gonna say its oil... start with the easier more common issue first then move on to exhaust. in my experience "ticking" better know as "tapits" is low oil or oil pressure. Exhaust can sound like a "tick" but typically is not as pingy sounding... jus sayin

 

Thought I had something similar happening too with a tap and couldnt realy locate it after checking the obvious stuff,I removed the belt and started it up for just a couple seconds.......and no tap turned, out to be the power steering pump bearing ,,,,,super relieved.I thought for sure it was a lifter or worse

 

Gotts give you props on that one. I wouldnt have thought of that.