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Metallic Loud Ticking Sound

9K views 12 replies 4 participants last post by  tmikejr 
#1 ·
Just became a new Jeep YJ (2.5 liter 4 cylinder) owner recently and having an issue with a somewhat noisy ticking sound by which I thought was in the engine compartment. Doing extensive research here on this site I felt my odds were high I had a stuck lifter. Therefore, being the type A personality I am I proceeded to dig into the problem. I discovered I may have a bad lifter in the cylinder closest to the firewall. I went ahead and replaced them all. Once replaced I still have the ticking noise. Could the noise be coming from the throw out bearing? I already have a LUK clutch kit to install soon. The reason i'm asking is I did notice a noise coming from the transmission when I first bought the Jeep which is typical of a bad bearing. Can the noise go from a squeel to a ticking sound? Seems the noise is worse when cold and gets better after heating up but never goes away completely. If anyone can provide a list of possibilities I will troubleshoot by going through the list. I appreciate any help in attempting to solve this issue.
Micheal
 
#3 ·
Did the ticking go away when you pressed clutch pedal? Mine is continuous. Still sounding noisy in the engine compartment near the firewall. Had a mechanic listen to it and his response was a piston skirt may have broke loose from the piston causing it to rattle in the cylinder. He also said Jeeps were notorious for this. So it looks like I'm in for a big project. If anyone has anymore posssibilities please share. I'm about to tear this sucker a part.
 
#7 ·
The ticking did go away when I pushed the clutch in. I've had an input bearing also make the sound in an old xj of mine. A piston skirt would be a huge problem and would be louder than a ticking sound.
 
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#5 ·
Great suggestion. I actually was thinking same thing. I did check the push rods when I changed the lifters (all were straight and clear). However, I did not check the rocker arms while the Jeep was running. I am going to do this before I tear into the oil pan to check for broken pieces. It really sounds like it's coming from that back cylinder next to firewall. Thanks for heads up!
 
#6 ·
Remove the valve cover then set it back on top of the valves. Run the engine for a few seconds, shut it off, and you'll be able to see a rocker arm move whenever you hear a tick.
 
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#11 ·
I had a friend who cracked a 2.5 skirt. Thought it was a lifter tick.

A lifter tick is usually after you shut off the engine and it's not very loud. Just a ticking noise for about 5-10 seconds. I'd describe that as more of a knock...
 
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#12 ·
Yes I agree! more knocking than tick. Mine starts immediately and never stops. I replaced all lifters hoping for the best but looks like i'm in for an upper rebuild. Can anyone offer suggestion on where to purchase the upper rebuild kit? I see one on JC Whitney DNJ kit for $270.00. Is this good quality?
 
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