Hey all. Newbie here. Know very little about engines and cars in general, so forgive me. Purchased a 2000 Grand Cherokee 4.7L V8 with 59k miles a week or so ago. Next oil change is due at 62k.

Recently developed a tick on the drivers' side. Not too loud, just annoying. Ticks when idle and speeds up as I accelerate. Tried some Seafoam, but to no avail. Took it to a mechanic who diagnosed it as the "#2 exhaust lifter". Replaced it, but still makes the tick (albeit much quieter and is almost gone when the engine gets warm). Told me it just needs to have some carbon blown out of it, or maybe some moisture. "Just needs a good road trip", he says.

Any simple steps for a rookie to help diagnose what exactly it may be? Or steps to rectify the situation?

Secondly, I've seen posts that say the 4.7 doesn't even HAVE lifters? So WTF would he have replaced and should I go back to him and call him out for his BS?

Video before I took it to mechanic...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKi4d...ature=youtu.be

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

It could be a oil issue. I am guessing the oil was changed prior to you purchasing it. Maybe the weight of the oil used was wrong. My 4.7 has acted up in the past when I used different oils.

 

Is there a FRAM filter on the engine? Replace it with a MOPAR or WIX filter.

 

What kind of oil/weight would you suggest?

 

10w30 and just not cheap oil. I use Pennzoil 10w30 high mileage in mine but I have 218K+ on mine

 

Yes a high quality 10w30 will be what you need. Personally i use only synthetic oils in my 4.0 and 4.7H.O. My 4.0 likes with 150k likes Mobil1 high mileage. My 4.7 with 110k likes Pennzoil. Make sure you oil filter is a anti drain back. That way the filter stays full when the vehicle is not running. So when you start you jeep the top end of the motor doesn't have to wait as long for oil.
I also have Lucas additive products in the fuel and oil in all my vehicles. I know many guys won't use additives for whatever reason, but i have used Lucas products in my construction equipment, my haul truck, my diesel pickups and multiple gas burner vehicles. I find over all better gas mileage, cleaner oils ( we test our oils in our heavy equipment to maintain warranties and such. ), and it just seems we have less fuel and motor issues.

 

How do you know if your engine likes a specific brand of oil?

 

You can feel a difference in the vehicle with different oils in it. I've tried other brands of oil such as castrol in my jeep and it just seems to run better with the Pennzoil in it.

 

I am using "like" loosely. But you can tell a difference just as deloy3 has said. But certain oils had effects on fuel mileage, oil consumption, leaks, burn off, and lifter tick during startup and during extended running

 

I've used a few different brands of 10w40 and never noticed any difference in mileage or performance. I do notice a difference with different fuel brands though.

 

In my ZJ I've never noticed a difference in gas mileage but in my car I have.

 

And yes, different fuel brands will make a difference though, I agree with you there. Better fuel in the vehicle will make it run better and burn cleaner. Cheap gas can also make it act up on you.

 

The 4.7 shouldn't have lifters because it is an overhead cam engine. Only pushrod V8's like a 5.2 or 5.9 has lifters. I run conventional Valvoline 5W-30 in my 4.7. About 500 miles before I change the oil, I put in a small bottle of Marvels Mystery oil. It has detergent qualities that help scrub away the gunk. OEM recommends a lighter oil 5W-30 as opposed to 10W-30. The 4.7 is said to have sludge buildup problems with heavier oils.

 

You've got to remember, the 5 or 10 number only means it's apparent weight when cold. It's still a 30 weight oil at temperature. The W is to show it's a variable weight oil. If you want a better film strength hot, go to a W40 oil.

He's right about no lifters in a DOHC engine, BUT they do have hydraulic rocker studs (anchor points) to take up the clearance. You may have a bit of carbon (Sludge) blocking the supply port to the one stud, that's why he told you to drive it.

 

How did you run the seafoam? I slowly poured 1/3 of the bottle onto my TB, keeping the butterfly closed. After that I turned it off for 10 mins. I then fired it back up. Idled for 30 seconds. 1500 RPM for 30-60 seconds, 2000 RPM for 30-60 seconds. Then I did several throttle blips: Idle-1500, idle-2000 until the smoke stopped. Any ticking noise I had is gone!