Jooman07

Changing the valve cover gasket today to hopefully stop a leak I've been having. One thing I notice when I first start it up in the morning or when it's a cold start is there is a lot of valve chatter. Once I drive it for a few minutes it goes away. It's almost like the top end is dry and it needs some oil to be slung up to the top end. I don't see any valves or push rods that are bent and it drives just fine. Has just under 170k on the motor. Anything else I should look for while I have the valve cover off?

Larry's XJ

Excess sludge

Jooman07

From what I see there isn't much sludge per say.

Bustedback

What brand oil filter are you using?

Jeep Driver

4 qts 40W and one qt Lucas. Change to Pure1 filter.

Jooman07

Mopar from wal mart.

bigbadon

This usually happens when lifters get old and leak down when engine has been off for awhile. As long as they pump back up I would not worry.

Bustedback

Smart. If you would have said FRAM I would of smacked you.

Jooman07

Oh yeah. It had a Fram on it when I bought it and I changed the oil first thing.

Jooman07

That's what I was thinking. And it's not even all the time it does it. I was just curious if it was something serious at this point. But doesn't seem to be from what y'all have told me and what I've read.

cruiser54

Try this and report back.

When it clatters on startup, turn it off right away. Wait ten seconds and restart. Sound gone?

Jeep Driver

Yes, it could be serious. Oil pump could be losing it's prime. Oil starvation at every cold start.

Could be severe wear, low pressure at cold start, lifters are the first symptom.

Lifters could be worn, collapsing.


You've said nothing of oil pressures.



You can help it along for a while with a heavier oil or you could wait for catastrophic failure or you can dig into it.

Your choice.

Jooman07

It doesn't do it every time it starts. Oil pressure while idling after start up is around 40. When it's warmed up its around 25-30. Driving its around 50 psi. I'm running 10w-30 oil at this point.

Jooman07

Next time I notice it I will try it and let y'all know.

cruiser54

Yes. This little test tells us something.