valve lifter tick?
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 87
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The 4.0 has about 270k on it, and runs strong.
When the 4.0 L is cold it has a ticking noise from the top end which I think sounds like a lifter stuck, and when it gets over about 160 degrees the tick goes away. I usually warm up the engine when it is cold and drive it after the tick is gone.
Also I was thinking maybe an exhaust leak which is sealing itself when warmed up.
From the forum a lot are suggesting Marvel Mystery Oil.
Searching the web shows research claiming that it could damage your engine from over cleaning it and breaking down the oils properties.

How many of you Cherokee owners have used Marvel Mystery Oil (MMO) in the crankcase and what kind of results did you find?
Any success stories that MMO cleaned up sticking valve lifters?
When the 4.0 L is cold it has a ticking noise from the top end which I think sounds like a lifter stuck, and when it gets over about 160 degrees the tick goes away. I usually warm up the engine when it is cold and drive it after the tick is gone.
Also I was thinking maybe an exhaust leak which is sealing itself when warmed up.
From the forum a lot are suggesting Marvel Mystery Oil.
Searching the web shows research claiming that it could damage your engine from over cleaning it and breaking down the oils properties.


How many of you Cherokee owners have used Marvel Mystery Oil (MMO) in the crankcase and what kind of results did you find?
Any success stories that MMO cleaned up sticking valve lifters?
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
marvel oil has been arund for years its good stuff they do make other treat ment that works the same way do some research and ust what you fell good with
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
Likes: 17
From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
The lifters are down low inside the block on the passenger side, rocker arms are on top under the valve cover. Removing the valve cover and re-torquing the rocker arms could eliminate/lessen the noise. The 4.0L is not known as a quiet engine.
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 812
Likes: 1
From: Eugene, OR
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.7 Stroker I6
After I fixed my manifold leak I can hear how loud the actual engine is and I don't like it
I'm gonna give it seafoam thru the intake, a motor flush, then oil change and put some restore in it and some lucus in the gas.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 87
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I guess from what others are saying on the forum the 4.0 usually has a lifter/rocker arm tick and is considered normal. I guess I am blessed that mine stops ticking once the engine warms up.

The questions at the beginning of this post had to do with Marvel Mystery Oil and if anyone has had any luck with it cleaning up sticking lifters or is this stuff just modern snake oil as many experts claim.
Anyone have any real experience with MMO?

The questions at the beginning of this post had to do with Marvel Mystery Oil and if anyone has had any luck with it cleaning up sticking lifters or is this stuff just modern snake oil as many experts claim.
Anyone have any real experience with MMO?
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6 Powertech
I used seafoam the fist day I got my Jeep it barley took a 3rd of the can what I do is take it pour it into a cup then use a bendy straw to the vacume line until the engine knocks like crazy or shooting out white smoke. Let the engine sit for 10 min then drive like an ahole. No joke that's how you get the crap out you don't have to go to the highway just enough to push it threw your manifold. Every car is diffrent for seafoam the exploders take the whole can then it starts to work.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 812
Likes: 1
From: Eugene, OR
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.7 Stroker I6
I used seafoam the fist day I got my Jeep it barley took a 3rd of the can what I do is take it pour it into a cup then use a bendy straw to the vacume line until the engine knocks like crazy or shooting out white smoke. Let the engine sit for 10 min then drive like an ahole. No joke that's how you get the crap out you don't have to go to the highway just enough to push it threw your manifold. Every car is diffrent for seafoam the exploders take the whole can then it starts to work.
I've used seafoam through the intake on every car I've owned and tons of friends cars, never had anything but good results when done right. I used a half can in the jeep.
It can sometimes foul your plugs or o2 sensor. I usually do it before an oil change and plugs.
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