Im newer to the xj world and am looking for some helpful advice. I have a 2000 xj with the 4.0, i was driving to town the other morning and a bad tick started, i got the vehicle home and took the valve cover off and didnt find anything bad. A mechanic friend of mine said it sounds like a possible piston skirt but im not sold, it sounds like a valve train issue but i havent found anything, i have not pulled the head yet but im just looking for a better idea of what to look for. Any prior experiences with the same issue would be a great help!

Also i would like to know what year xj or wj 4.0 would work for either a head if its the top in or block if its the bottom end, thank you for the help!

 

You will just have to investigate it could be (short list):
oil filter,
flex plate cracked,
broken piston,
collapsed lifter.

 

Where is it coming from, top or bottom? Get a mechanics stethescope or a screwdriver and listed to the top end and the bottom end (Dont burn yourself).

These trucks make all kinds of noises so it might just be normal, but listen around.

Turbo is right too. go down the list of easiest to worst. Do an oil change and use a good filter (Wix, Napa, Pureone) and see what happens. Then Check the flexplate bolts. This should be done as preventative maintenence by everyone (Props to cruiser 54).

Theres a write up on a how to, so ill be back to post the link if you cant find it