I have a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0 that I have owned for almost 3 years and it currently has about 82,000 miles on it. The problem I'm having is a clicking noise coming from somewhere in the engine. I can't pinpoint where the noise is coming from and I've asked some friends with some experience and they had no idea either. I noticed the noise shortly after I returned from my deployment in november and got a NY state inspection and they didnt say anything about it. It has gotten louder since then but its not exactly constant. Some times the clicking isnt present but once it starts it slowly speeds up while idling and eventually stops before starting up again.When it is in drive or Reverse it speeds up as I accelerate. The noise is present in every gear and this problem has been occuring for atleast 7 months. Since the noise has gotten louder I dont want to ignore it anymore. I had a check engine light come on about 5-6 months ago and it was an oxygen sensor which I replaced. I just replaced the spark plugs a week ago because it was long overdue. I have searched and searched but I cannot find an answer online so if you have any ideas of where I should begin please help me out.

Dan; First, Thankyou for your service. You Vets make me proud!
If it is a 'tinny' clicking noise, I would direct my attention to valve train. (rocker arms, lifters, ect). I'm sure you have already done so, but did changing oil and filter make any difference? Do you have plenty of oil pressure? You can buy a mechanic's stethescope (quite inexpensive) and try and pinpoint where the noise is coming from. Also, what weight oil are you using? I'll have to check, but I think it should be 5W20 or 5W30?
It is possible that you have a weak lifter that loses it's prime and takes a while for it to 'pump' up again, but too early to think that, yet.
Loren
SW Washington

It has been almost 2000 miles since my last oil change but I used 10W30 Royal purple and a pure one oil filter. I used 5W30 before that because Im stationed at Fort Drum and it gets very very cold here. The oil pressure is fine and I havent had any problems with it in the past either.

If it is a lifter, is that something I could fix myself or would that be an expensive shop fix?

Once you have determined that it is a faulty lifter, replacing it (I recommend that you replace all of them) is no big deal. You'll need to buy one of these tools to get the old ones out. This one is from AutoZone, about $7.00. Easily, a one day job in the garage, and a couple of six packs of Corona. If you decide to do this yourself, probably best to buy a manual, but we can walk you through it, if need be. If you pull the valve cover, inspect all of the rocker arms for wear and make sure they are all tight. Inspect all of the push rods (both ends). Push rods, rocker arms, and lifters are all inexpensive, but there are 12 of each. Also, a valve cover gasket will be needed.
Oh, I'd recommend going back to the 5W30. The only 'purple' oil I'm familiar with was the Union 76 Purple Triton, back in the '60s? Used to call it grape juice.
Loren
SW Washington

(This post was edited by Loren Champlain Sr on May 30, 2009, 5:22 PM)

When I was searching around I read about engine noises on youtube. I searched Lifter ticking and found a couple that sound just like mine. I have a haynes manual I can look at but Ive never gone this in depth into working on a vehicle.

Thank you very much for your help. I know I havent officially determined that a lifter is the cause but based on the sound should I just go ahead and replace them or go into a more in depth troubleshooting process?

Dan; I'd want to make darned sure that's what is making the noise. I'd try the stethescope, first. With the engine still warm, you can take the valve cover off, reconnect everything that you had to disconnect to get it off, and start it and visually check for rocker arm travel. It will make a real mess, of course, and will need to take precautions of oil getting on the hot exhaust manifold. You can actually press down on the rocker arms, individually, with a hammer handle, while the engine is idling, and maybe identify which one is clattering.
It really isn't a tough job. Just need to pay attention as to how it comes apart. No rocket science. Let me know if you decide to proceed and I'll give you some more info.
Loren
SW Washington

Not really sure if you've figured it out yet but i also have a 2004 jeep grand cherokee about 56000 miles is the noise really easy to her from righ under the driver side door. If so it's piston slap. Jeep being the amazing people they are installed different size pistons in different size bores. During cold operation (usually) mine does it when it's worm the piston is cold and smaller when it gets hotter the piston expands and fits the bore better. The dealer will not do anything for this because it is so comon. If you want to compare noise listen to videos where people put exhaust on there Grnd Cher the 4.0 engine is what i've heard INDESTRUCTIBLE and will never fail no matter what you do to it so i wouldnt worry too much about it. You think it's getting louder because now your listening for it went through the same thing just stopped listen for it and it hasn't really bothered me lately. Hope i helped. All the information is what i've gathered from some instructors from school and the a few techs at the jeep dealership i took my car for transmission work.

i have the same problem, 83,000 miles, but mine is intermitting,, 10 ticks then stops for 10 seconds ,, changed the oil today and it got louder, last week it would happen on cold starts, i turned off the motor, and restarted and it went away, now its back full time

This thread is a year old. You should start a new question if you need some help.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida




(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jul 3, 2010, 7:09 PM)