Hi all,
Fair warning: there is a lot of history behind this issue. The vehicle that has brought me along for this adventure is a 1998 Jeep Cherokee, 4.0L, AW4 transmission. I will be telling you everything I have done to try to resolve this issue.
This June, I installed:
When I started up the Jeep after installing these parts, it sounded like a fartcan Civic. Sticking my hand by the exhaust port revealed that exhaust gasses were escaping due to the poor quality of the gasket. Bummed, I ordered a new exhaust gasket on the recommendation of a friend (Remflex 10-001). I splurged as doing this job sucks and didn't want to do it again. A few days later, the exhaust gasket shows up. I install it. Fire the Jeep up and it doesn't sound much better than it did last time. For sure it's quieter, but now it ticks. It's almost a rattily tick, like something wasn't tightened down all the way. After the test drive, I let everything cool down, and re-torque the nuts. There is no room to fit a torque wrench in there so I do everything by feel. The improvement is marginal.
At this point, I think I'm doing something wrong. I take it to a shop and ask the guys to take a look. They say it's probably internal noise as the Jeep is high mileage (240k) but they can't explain why it ticks now and it didn't beforehand. Their best guess was the exhaust gasket but they cannot guarantee it would fix the issue. I gave the go ahead, they put another Remflex gasket on it, and no improvement. Bummer, but live and learn. Just a more expensive mistake for sure.
Well, the only thing left to replace again is the exhaust manifold. Prior to installation, I used a smoke machine to verify there were no leaks, but maybe I missed something. Warrantied the exhaust manifold and slapped the new one on there with another Remflex gasket. I would like to say it sounds better, but it may just be in my head. Shoot, maybe it really is internal noise. I take off the valve cover. I wiggle the rocker arms, I spin the push rods, I push down on the lifters. I run the motor without the cover on. Excellent oil delivery and all valves are opening/closing properly as far as I can tell. The only thing that made me a little concerned was the push rods on cylinder #5 had just a tiny bit of runout, but it was so marginal I can't say with complete confidence that they were tweaked.
At this point, I'm at a loss. I was super close to ordering new lifters the other day but I can't confidently say they are the issue as the ones in there seem healthy, not even to mention what a project that is. The motor is well-maintained - zero sludge, great oil pressure - so why would a lifter fail anyway? Any input is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
98 XJ Ticking (Driving)
98 XJ Ticking (Parked)
Fair warning: there is a lot of history behind this issue. The vehicle that has brought me along for this adventure is a 1998 Jeep Cherokee, 4.0L, AW4 transmission. I will be telling you everything I have done to try to resolve this issue.
This June, I installed:
- exhaust manifold (OMIX 17622.12)
- engine mounts (Crown Automotive 52040267)
- transmission mount (Crown Automotive 52002334)
- JY 99+ intake manifold
- exhaust studs instead of the OEM bolts (reusing the cone washers)
When I started up the Jeep after installing these parts, it sounded like a fartcan Civic. Sticking my hand by the exhaust port revealed that exhaust gasses were escaping due to the poor quality of the gasket. Bummed, I ordered a new exhaust gasket on the recommendation of a friend (Remflex 10-001). I splurged as doing this job sucks and didn't want to do it again. A few days later, the exhaust gasket shows up. I install it. Fire the Jeep up and it doesn't sound much better than it did last time. For sure it's quieter, but now it ticks. It's almost a rattily tick, like something wasn't tightened down all the way. After the test drive, I let everything cool down, and re-torque the nuts. There is no room to fit a torque wrench in there so I do everything by feel. The improvement is marginal.
At this point, I think I'm doing something wrong. I take it to a shop and ask the guys to take a look. They say it's probably internal noise as the Jeep is high mileage (240k) but they can't explain why it ticks now and it didn't beforehand. Their best guess was the exhaust gasket but they cannot guarantee it would fix the issue. I gave the go ahead, they put another Remflex gasket on it, and no improvement. Bummer, but live and learn. Just a more expensive mistake for sure.
Well, the only thing left to replace again is the exhaust manifold. Prior to installation, I used a smoke machine to verify there were no leaks, but maybe I missed something. Warrantied the exhaust manifold and slapped the new one on there with another Remflex gasket. I would like to say it sounds better, but it may just be in my head. Shoot, maybe it really is internal noise. I take off the valve cover. I wiggle the rocker arms, I spin the push rods, I push down on the lifters. I run the motor without the cover on. Excellent oil delivery and all valves are opening/closing properly as far as I can tell. The only thing that made me a little concerned was the push rods on cylinder #5 had just a tiny bit of runout, but it was so marginal I can't say with complete confidence that they were tweaked.
At this point, I'm at a loss. I was super close to ordering new lifters the other day but I can't confidently say they are the issue as the ones in there seem healthy, not even to mention what a project that is. The motor is well-maintained - zero sludge, great oil pressure - so why would a lifter fail anyway? Any input is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
98 XJ Ticking (Driving)
98 XJ Ticking (Parked)