my newly purchased XJ ('97, 4.0, 5-spd, 197k)keeps tapping quite a bit regularly. I'm almost positive that it's a lifter. i can't hear it at all if it's in neutral, but when I put it in 1st, let off the clutch and start pumping the gas it comes on. and it will stay through the other gears. the oil pressure is great. before i start tearing into it I wanna know if anyone else has this and if it's worth tearing apart, because it doesn't leak oil and it otherwise runs great.
now, this is not my first rodeo, so I don't need to be spoon fed. I just need a "Yay" from somebody that has the same issue.
i've fixed quite a few loud lifters in the past, and it usually won't hurt anything. so this is just an inquiry.

 

My 99 runs the same way and it hasnt caused me any power loss/problems since ive owned it. Its a common thing with xj's, or so ive been told. If it gets louder then look into it but for now itll be fine.

 

yupp. that's what I figured. i've had 2 4.0s and an AMC 4.2 and none of em have ever had loud lifters, so i didn't know if it could be anything other than the lifter.

 

Well anything else that i could think of is maybe a rocker arm or worn out valve spring, they're also pretty common problems.

 

on mine it makes a strange growl at low speed with low rpm's. I do get a clatter once in a while when starting to accelerate that does sound similar to the standard 4.0L noises.

 

i was actually thinking rockers or springs, but I think i would notice a power loss. I don't know... i might need to open it up after all.

 

try marvel mystery oil in the engine oil. I have seen it twice quiet up lifter noise. no BS.

 

what's in it?

 

Try using a higher weight on the oil,maybe use some lucas oil restorer,or some restore,there are a few oil additives that will help,but you wont know a good it will work until you try it.

 

 

That is defeintly true, totaly forgot about MM oil

 

Even before all of that....what oil filter are you using? Some are really bad at restricting oil flow and will cause that ticking sound. I use a K&N and the sound has gone away. I was using Fram, and then when I found how horrible those were switched to the Mopar, which was okay, then to K&N. IMO well worth the money...especially with 207k

 

great set of advices. i usually don't believe in oil additives, but i might consider that marvel mystery oil if everybody trusts it. i think i'm gonna start with the k&n oil filter see how far that goes. i bought it with a brand new purolator filter and clear oil, and the guy said it hasn't been driven since the oil change, but i better get out there and get greasy.