Valve Clatter

[91xjtim]

Ive been noticing last few days my 91 4.0 160K has been clattering quite a bit. Oil pressure seems OK. Should I be too concerned. I know I have read that these inlines valves tend to make some noise.

TIA!

[RINGKONG]

Do you hear it while your driving, or idleing with the hood closed?
If you did, then maybe be a tiny little bit concerned..

but,

I bet your like me, and was checking something under the hood while the cherokee was running, and heard the valve chatter....

Don't worry about it, your just parinoid like me. :D

[XJTripp]

I had this problem at 135-142K miles on my 89 4.0. I am at 152K now and the problem is gone. I was using the cheaper FRAM filters in the orange case with faulty anti-drain back valves. About this time I changed my valve cover gasket and vacuumed loose the crunchy carbon gunk I found on the head. The smaller particles got caught up in the oil. The filter traps them. Shut the engine off, and if your anti-drain back valve in the filter does not work, the oil on the dirty side reverses and dumps in your pan. This stuff clogs lifters, push rods, etc. The clatter was pronounced cold and seemed to get quieter as I drove. I changed oil and sawed the filter open and it was full of little carbon particles. I used a synthetic blend, changed oil at 1000 mile intervals for three changes, switched to Bosch filters and voila! No more tapping noises. Maybe you have a simlar situation.

[seanR]

Try heaver oil, like Rotella 15/40. I have found it works well with older motors. I wouldnt use it in the dead of winted though.