TJ top end tick

[Jrama]

Mines an 04 about 50k on the clock. I have developed what I believe is a top end tick in the motor. It sounds like a sticky lifter but louder and constant. It matches the revs and is audible in the cab espeacilly when using the tranny to slow the jeep down. Now, by no means should my engine have this issue at 50k. I put about 13k on the jeep per year and change the oil twice a year with Amsoil full synthetic they guarentee it for 1 year or 25k. It is comparable to this noise, which sounds like a camshaft/ lifter issue I guess. Only other relavent info is the fact that the oil pressure takes a solid 7-10 seconds to get to its final resting spot cm over the halfway mark or so which is normal. Jeep makes this noise 24/7 hot cold doesn't matter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MpjdFKD1gI&feature=related

I'm looking for some thoughts or opinions on the issue as I have very limited experience with engine troubles.
Thanks in advance

[apeman]

Yep. Lifter tick...

[AV.NINE]

Dumb question, did you check your oil? If your low it will tick.

[Jrama]

1.  Any ideas to cause on such a low kms engine?
2.Situation/ Remedies?

Oil level is indeed full

My theory has to do with lack of oil pressure on cold starts. Like I said it take a solid 7 to 10 slow missispi to climb up and thats during average temperatures at minus 30 I once actually got the check gauge light it took so long.

Its still under warrenty though for maybe a couple of months...... 7 year power train up to 100k

[apeman]

Run sum atf though it at your next oil change and see if the extra detergents can free it up.

[Jrama]

Yeah thats what I'd try  in a normal situation with a higher mileage jeep. But given the fact that I shouldn't even have this problem at such low kms , I'm going to bring it to the dealer and see what happens. Somethings wrong here, as its gotten noticably worse over the past 2 months I have no reason to suspect the underlying problem isn't just going to cause more damage.

[hps4evr]

ive seen a couple cam shafts with buggered lobes. it could be a collapsed lifter, which would make sense that it does it all the time, hot or cold. see what your dealership says about it, go from there. let us know the results.

[The Machinist]

Try running a non-synthetic oil.  Your oil pressure at the lifters could be too low due to running a thinner oil.  Now that your engine has some wear the thinner oil pours out the side of your bearings, that's why it takes so long for the pressure to build up.  A non-synthetic oil will give more oil pressure to the lifters.

[LOOKOUT]

Run sum atf though it at your next oil change and see if the extra detergents can free it up.

When you say run some atf how much are you thinking.Not to hijack this for me but i have a 5.7 triton ford with a bad tick and wanted to do the atf trick but dont quit know the senario .Is it drain oil fill with % ltrs of atf run engine drain atf then put in new filtre and engine oil.Or do i just put a ltr of atf and run around with that in the oil for a bit.
Thanks in advance!!!

[apeman]

add 1 litre of atf to oil...run for 15 mins..(dont drive it) then drain oil...change to fresh oil and filter...the extra detergents in atf shgould help to clean,and hopefully free gummed up lifters.
not recommended to drive around with atf in the crankcase!

[BlackAura]

Edit: Your video sounds exactly like the issue I had with my Jeep about 10k kms ago.

Check your cam position sensor with a stethoscope (or screwdriver...or just put your hand on it)...some of the 2005's / 2006's had known bad oil pump drive gears, but other TJs have had the issue as well, my 2003 included.  Lots of good info on this issue online, just gotta search around:

2003 Jeep Engine Tick Post #12

Write up of how I fixed my issue:

2003 Jeep Engine Tick Post #21

Chrysler is paying to install a new cam (2005/2006 owners should read this)


Edit: Not sure if I mentioned this in my other posts (as it ended up being 6 months later), but I got an error code saying the cam position sensor was out.  So I had to take the Jeep in to Chrysler and get them to properly adjust the cam position sensor.  They quoted me $80 or so over the phone, turns out the quote wasn't correct, as they had some issue and the mechanic just fixed it instead of calling me.  When I called back she told me it would be $160.  We "settled" on $90.  Not impressed but much better than paying the $160.  On the bright side, it's fixed.

[Rubi03 jef]

mine makes the same sound .. i just figured it was the 4.0l 

but ya please let us know what the dealership finds

[WagoneerXJ]

When you say run some atf how much are you thinking.Not to hijack this for me but i have a 5.7 triton ford with a bad tick and wanted to do the atf trick but dont quit know the senario .Is it drain oil fill with % ltrs of atf run engine drain atf then put in new filtre and engine oil.Or do i just put a ltr of atf and run around with that in the oil for a bit.
Thanks in advance!!!

On the ford triton motors, a "tick" is most commonly the camshaft phasers, or an exhaust leak. And if you do the flush, don't use a fram oil filter on a 5.4 Ford. They don't seem to have an anti drain back valve. Not good for it!

[Jrama]

Dealership said their was nothing unusual enough about the tick to warrent any service. To me, espeacilly when driving the jeep all warmed up the tick is unacceptable. The tech had a quick listen under no load and stationary. Honestly it wasn't ticking all that bad when he had a listen. On the road undervarying conditions its more pronounced. I got the salesmen on the lot to start another TJ  of similiar kms which was quiet...much more quiet. My jeep does have an exhaust leak but its not related, as the tick began way after. Either way the tick has been getting worse and I got warrenty till 2012 so I have some time.

As of now I"m going to look into Black Auras suggestion and see if I can find something wrong...
Just to be sure the diagnosis is listening for the actual source of the tick?

[FirstTimer]

I have the same issue currently with my 02 Tj 4.0Lwith 120000km on it.  Spoke with Joe at Modern Motors and he said the same thing regarding a sticky lifter and to run some atf through it on my next oil change.  He also suggested changing the oil more frequently if the problem persists which will help flush any gunk out faster.

I'll let you know how the flush works as I'll be getting it down next week.