90 XJ tapping/ticking from valve cover
 

When I start this thing its quiet, but after driving it around and the oil I
suspect gets warmed up there's a ticking coming from the valvecover area,
maybe under it. I can't feel the ticking but just hear it. Usually when
the oil gets hot and I notice the pressure drops while idling. I know the
oil is thinning when it gets hot so maybe the oil pump could use replacing?
Or should I do some work on the valve/lifters/whatever? I have tools and if
its something that I may be able to tackle if I get the right manual I would
like to do it myself. I will buy tools if I need to.

The engine has 150,000 miles on it, and I dont think its had any major work
done to it. Could I maybe put a thicker oil in it to silence the ticking?
Could someone out there let me know what all these things would do and
suggest others I might try? Other than the ticking it's perfect, although
it tends to idle around the 250 rpm mark when at a stoplight after it's all
warmed up.

Oh and it's hot in florida

Troy

Re: 90 XJ tapping/ticking from valve cover
 

What weight oil does it have now? How long since it's been changed? What are
the pressure readings idle/2000rpms hot/cold?

Carl


"Troy" <@ .> wrote in message
news:7qedneilz4m_ryDZnZ2dnUVZ_sCdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> When I start this thing its quiet, but after driving it around and the oil
> I suspect gets warmed up there's a ticking coming from the valvecover
> area, maybe under it. I can't feel the ticking but just hear it. Usually
> when the oil gets hot and I notice the pressure drops while idling. I
> know the oil is thinning when it gets hot so maybe the oil pump could use
> replacing? Or should I do some work on the valve/lifters/whatever? I have
> tools and if its something that I may be able to tackle if I get the right
> manual I would like to do it myself. I will buy tools if I need to.
>
> The engine has 150,000 miles on it, and I dont think its had any major
> work done to it. Could I maybe put a thicker oil in it to silence the
> ticking? Could someone out there let me know what all these things would
> do and suggest others I might try? Other than the ticking it's perfect,
> although it tends to idle around the 250 rpm mark when at a stoplight
> after it's all warmed up.
>
> Oh and it's hot in florida
>
> Troy
>

Re: 90 XJ tapping/ticking from valve cover
 

What weight oil does it have now? How long since it's been changed? What are
the pressure readings idle/2000rpms hot/cold?

Carl


"Troy" <@ .> wrote in message
news:7qedneilz4m_ryDZnZ2dnUVZ_sCdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> When I start this thing its quiet, but after driving it around and the oil
> I suspect gets warmed up there's a ticking coming from the valvecover
> area, maybe under it. I can't feel the ticking but just hear it. Usually
> when the oil gets hot and I notice the pressure drops while idling. I
> know the oil is thinning when it gets hot so maybe the oil pump could use
> replacing? Or should I do some work on the valve/lifters/whatever? I have
> tools and if its something that I may be able to tackle if I get the right
> manual I would like to do it myself. I will buy tools if I need to.
>
> The engine has 150,000 miles on it, and I dont think its had any major
> work done to it. Could I maybe put a thicker oil in it to silence the
> ticking? Could someone out there let me know what all these things would
> do and suggest others I might try? Other than the ticking it's perfect,
> although it tends to idle around the 250 rpm mark when at a stoplight
> after it's all warmed up.
>
> Oh and it's hot in florida
>
> Troy
>

Re: 90 XJ tapping/ticking from valve cover
 

What weight oil does it have now? How long since it's been changed? What are
the pressure readings idle/2000rpms hot/cold?

Carl


"Troy" <@ .> wrote in message
news:7qedneilz4m_ryDZnZ2dnUVZ_sCdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> When I start this thing its quiet, but after driving it around and the oil
> I suspect gets warmed up there's a ticking coming from the valvecover
> area, maybe under it. I can't feel the ticking but just hear it. Usually
> when the oil gets hot and I notice the pressure drops while idling. I
> know the oil is thinning when it gets hot so maybe the oil pump could use
> replacing? Or should I do some work on the valve/lifters/whatever? I have
> tools and if its something that I may be able to tackle if I get the right
> manual I would like to do it myself. I will buy tools if I need to.
>
> The engine has 150,000 miles on it, and I dont think its had any major
> work done to it. Could I maybe put a thicker oil in it to silence the
> ticking? Could someone out there let me know what all these things would
> do and suggest others I might try? Other than the ticking it's perfect,
> although it tends to idle around the 250 rpm mark when at a stoplight
> after it's all warmed up.
>
> Oh and it's hot in florida
>
> Troy
>

Re: 90 XJ tapping/ticking from valve cover
 

Fist thing that is wrong is the idle speed. Idling an engine that slow is
bad. Many engine components rely on oil splash for lubrication. The
camshaft, timing chain, and valve springs are the most critical. I mention
valve springs because they need oil splash for cooling. You compound the
problem if you do indeed have a low pressure situation at idle. I would
suspect that the Idle Air Control valve may be the culprit. These tens to
get carboned up over time. It is easy to pull the valve and clean it. Also
check the electrical connections to the valve, they may be corroded as well.
To clean the valve, you just need a can of fuel injection compatible carb
cleaner. there is a plunger that controls the valve, and it needs to operate
freely for the valve to work properly.

The ticking is more than likely something in the valvetrain, but could also
be a piston pin, or less probably a rod bearing. Usually you can tell if it
is a piston pin by starting the engine with the plug wire from the suspect
cylinder disconnected. If it is a pin, the noise with decrease noticeably
without the plugwire hooked up.

I would most likely suspect a lifter is bleeding down when the oil gets hot.
Not much to do about it other than replace the lifter(s). Using heavier oil
may patch the problem for a while, but more than likely it will resurface
later as things get worse. There are downfalls to using too heavy an oil,
but going up one range should be fine considering you're in a hot climate.
First thing you need to do is fix the idle speed issue, as I would imagine
using heavier oil and idling that slow will cause even more problems related
to the parts needing splash oil for lubricant.

Chris

"Troy" <@ .> wrote in message
news:7qedneilz4m_ryDZnZ2dnUVZ_sCdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> When I start this thing its quiet, but after driving it around and the oil
> I suspect gets warmed up there's a ticking coming from the valvecover
> area, maybe under it. I can't feel the ticking but just hear it. Usually
> when the oil gets hot and I notice the pressure drops while idling. I
> know the oil is thinning when it gets hot so maybe the oil pump could use
> replacing? Or should I do some work on the valve/lifters/whatever? I have
> tools and if its something that I may be able to tackle if I get the right
> manual I would like to do it myself. I will buy tools if I need to.
>
> The engine has 150,000 miles on it, and I dont think its had any major
> work done to it. Could I maybe put a thicker oil in it to silence the
> ticking? Could someone out there let me know what all these things would
> do and suggest others I might try? Other than the ticking it's perfect,
> although it tends to idle around the 250 rpm mark when at a stoplight
> after it's all warmed up.
>
> Oh and it's hot in florida
>
> Troy
>

Re: 90 XJ tapping/ticking from valve cover
 

Fist thing that is wrong is the idle speed. Idling an engine that slow is
bad. Many engine components rely on oil splash for lubrication. The
camshaft, timing chain, and valve springs are the most critical. I mention
valve springs because they need oil splash for cooling. You compound the
problem if you do indeed have a low pressure situation at idle. I would
suspect that the Idle Air Control valve may be the culprit. These tens to
get carboned up over time. It is easy to pull the valve and clean it. Also
check the electrical connections to the valve, they may be corroded as well.
To clean the valve, you just need a can of fuel injection compatible carb
cleaner. there is a plunger that controls the valve, and it needs to operate
freely for the valve to work properly.

The ticking is more than likely something in the valvetrain, but could also
be a piston pin, or less probably a rod bearing. Usually you can tell if it
is a piston pin by starting the engine with the plug wire from the suspect
cylinder disconnected. If it is a pin, the noise with decrease noticeably
without the plugwire hooked up.

I would most likely suspect a lifter is bleeding down when the oil gets hot.
Not much to do about it other than replace the lifter(s). Using heavier oil
may patch the problem for a while, but more than likely it will resurface
later as things get worse. There are downfalls to using too heavy an oil,
but going up one range should be fine considering you're in a hot climate.
First thing you need to do is fix the idle speed issue, as I would imagine
using heavier oil and idling that slow will cause even more problems related
to the parts needing splash oil for lubricant.

Chris

"Troy" <@ .> wrote in message
news:7qedneilz4m_ryDZnZ2dnUVZ_sCdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> When I start this thing its quiet, but after driving it around and the oil
> I suspect gets warmed up there's a ticking coming from the valvecover
> area, maybe under it. I can't feel the ticking but just hear it. Usually
> when the oil gets hot and I notice the pressure drops while idling. I
> know the oil is thinning when it gets hot so maybe the oil pump could use
> replacing? Or should I do some work on the valve/lifters/whatever? I have
> tools and if its something that I may be able to tackle if I get the right
> manual I would like to do it myself. I will buy tools if I need to.
>
> The engine has 150,000 miles on it, and I dont think its had any major
> work done to it. Could I maybe put a thicker oil in it to silence the
> ticking? Could someone out there let me know what all these things would
> do and suggest others I might try? Other than the ticking it's perfect,
> although it tends to idle around the 250 rpm mark when at a stoplight
> after it's all warmed up.
>
> Oh and it's hot in florida
>
> Troy
>

Re: 90 XJ tapping/ticking from valve cover
 

Fist thing that is wrong is the idle speed. Idling an engine that slow is
bad. Many engine components rely on oil splash for lubrication. The
camshaft, timing chain, and valve springs are the most critical. I mention
valve springs because they need oil splash for cooling. You compound the
problem if you do indeed have a low pressure situation at idle. I would
suspect that the Idle Air Control valve may be the culprit. These tens to
get carboned up over time. It is easy to pull the valve and clean it. Also
check the electrical connections to the valve, they may be corroded as well.
To clean the valve, you just need a can of fuel injection compatible carb
cleaner. there is a plunger that controls the valve, and it needs to operate
freely for the valve to work properly.

The ticking is more than likely something in the valvetrain, but could also
be a piston pin, or less probably a rod bearing. Usually you can tell if it
is a piston pin by starting the engine with the plug wire from the suspect
cylinder disconnected. If it is a pin, the noise with decrease noticeably
without the plugwire hooked up.

I would most likely suspect a lifter is bleeding down when the oil gets hot.
Not much to do about it other than replace the lifter(s). Using heavier oil
may patch the problem for a while, but more than likely it will resurface
later as things get worse. There are downfalls to using too heavy an oil,
but going up one range should be fine considering you're in a hot climate.
First thing you need to do is fix the idle speed issue, as I would imagine
using heavier oil and idling that slow will cause even more problems related
to the parts needing splash oil for lubricant.

Chris

"Troy" <@ .> wrote in message
news:7qedneilz4m_ryDZnZ2dnUVZ_sCdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> When I start this thing its quiet, but after driving it around and the oil
> I suspect gets warmed up there's a ticking coming from the valvecover
> area, maybe under it. I can't feel the ticking but just hear it. Usually
> when the oil gets hot and I notice the pressure drops while idling. I
> know the oil is thinning when it gets hot so maybe the oil pump could use
> replacing? Or should I do some work on the valve/lifters/whatever? I have
> tools and if its something that I may be able to tackle if I get the right
> manual I would like to do it myself. I will buy tools if I need to.
>
> The engine has 150,000 miles on it, and I dont think its had any major
> work done to it. Could I maybe put a thicker oil in it to silence the
> ticking? Could someone out there let me know what all these things would
> do and suggest others I might try? Other than the ticking it's perfect,
> although it tends to idle around the 250 rpm mark when at a stoplight
> after it's all warmed up.
>
> Oh and it's hot in florida
>
> Troy
>

Re: 90 XJ tapping/ticking from valve cover
 

I changed the oil a couple weeks ago with 10w30 and immediately noticed the
ticking once it warmed up. I suspect the oil before I changed it hadn't
been changed in over 3000 miles, it was black. The previous owner probably
didnt take care of it when he got his grand cherokee to replace it. When
cold at idle the pressure it high, I forget the exact space but its on the
high side. Gets higher when I am driving, that's why I think its the oil
getting hot and thinning out because once it gets fully warmed up it drops
quite a bit.

I am going to be home tomorrow so I will take exact measurements while cold
and hot, and how long it takes to do its thing.

Troy


"Carl" <carlsaiyed@hotmailREMOVE.com> wrote in message
news:MaCdnfHzk_RNqCDZnZ2dnUVZ_q-dnZ2d@comcast.com...
> What weight oil does it have now? How long since it's been changed? What
> are the pressure readings idle/2000rpms hot/cold?
>
> Carl
>
>
> "Troy" <@ .> wrote in message
> news:7qedneilz4m_ryDZnZ2dnUVZ_sCdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> When I start this thing its quiet, but after driving it around and the
>> oil I suspect gets warmed up there's a ticking coming from the valvecover
>> area, maybe under it. I can't feel the ticking but just hear it.
>> Usually when the oil gets hot and I notice the pressure drops while
>> idling. I know the oil is thinning when it gets hot so maybe the oil
>> pump could use replacing? Or should I do some work on the
>> valve/lifters/whatever? I have tools and if its something that I may be
>> able to tackle if I get the right manual I would like to do it myself. I
>> will buy tools if I need to.
>>
>> The engine has 150,000 miles on it, and I dont think its had any major
>> work done to it. Could I maybe put a thicker oil in it to silence the
>> ticking? Could someone out there let me know what all these things would
>> do and suggest others I might try? Other than the ticking it's perfect,
>> although it tends to idle around the 250 rpm mark when at a stoplight
>> after it's all warmed up.
>>
>> Oh and it's hot in florida
>>
>> Troy
>>
>
>

Re: 90 XJ tapping/ticking from valve cover
 

I changed the oil a couple weeks ago with 10w30 and immediately noticed the
ticking once it warmed up. I suspect the oil before I changed it hadn't
been changed in over 3000 miles, it was black. The previous owner probably
didnt take care of it when he got his grand cherokee to replace it. When
cold at idle the pressure it high, I forget the exact space but its on the
high side. Gets higher when I am driving, that's why I think its the oil
getting hot and thinning out because once it gets fully warmed up it drops
quite a bit.

I am going to be home tomorrow so I will take exact measurements while cold
and hot, and how long it takes to do its thing.

Troy


"Carl" <carlsaiyed@hotmailREMOVE.com> wrote in message
news:MaCdnfHzk_RNqCDZnZ2dnUVZ_q-dnZ2d@comcast.com...
> What weight oil does it have now? How long since it's been changed? What
> are the pressure readings idle/2000rpms hot/cold?
>
> Carl
>
>
> "Troy" <@ .> wrote in message
> news:7qedneilz4m_ryDZnZ2dnUVZ_sCdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> When I start this thing its quiet, but after driving it around and the
>> oil I suspect gets warmed up there's a ticking coming from the valvecover
>> area, maybe under it. I can't feel the ticking but just hear it.
>> Usually when the oil gets hot and I notice the pressure drops while
>> idling. I know the oil is thinning when it gets hot so maybe the oil
>> pump could use replacing? Or should I do some work on the
>> valve/lifters/whatever? I have tools and if its something that I may be
>> able to tackle if I get the right manual I would like to do it myself. I
>> will buy tools if I need to.
>>
>> The engine has 150,000 miles on it, and I dont think its had any major
>> work done to it. Could I maybe put a thicker oil in it to silence the
>> ticking? Could someone out there let me know what all these things would
>> do and suggest others I might try? Other than the ticking it's perfect,
>> although it tends to idle around the 250 rpm mark when at a stoplight
>> after it's all warmed up.
>>
>> Oh and it's hot in florida
>>
>> Troy
>>
>
>

Re: 90 XJ tapping/ticking from valve cover
 

I changed the oil a couple weeks ago with 10w30 and immediately noticed the
ticking once it warmed up. I suspect the oil before I changed it hadn't
been changed in over 3000 miles, it was black. The previous owner probably
didnt take care of it when he got his grand cherokee to replace it. When
cold at idle the pressure it high, I forget the exact space but its on the
high side. Gets higher when I am driving, that's why I think its the oil
getting hot and thinning out because once it gets fully warmed up it drops
quite a bit.

I am going to be home tomorrow so I will take exact measurements while cold
and hot, and how long it takes to do its thing.

Troy


"Carl" <carlsaiyed@hotmailREMOVE.com> wrote in message
news:MaCdnfHzk_RNqCDZnZ2dnUVZ_q-dnZ2d@comcast.com...
> What weight oil does it have now? How long since it's been changed? What
> are the pressure readings idle/2000rpms hot/cold?
>
> Carl
>
>
> "Troy" <@ .> wrote in message
> news:7qedneilz4m_ryDZnZ2dnUVZ_sCdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> When I start this thing its quiet, but after driving it around and the
>> oil I suspect gets warmed up there's a ticking coming from the valvecover
>> area, maybe under it. I can't feel the ticking but just hear it.
>> Usually when the oil gets hot and I notice the pressure drops while
>> idling. I know the oil is thinning when it gets hot so maybe the oil
>> pump could use replacing? Or should I do some work on the
>> valve/lifters/whatever? I have tools and if its something that I may be
>> able to tackle if I get the right manual I would like to do it myself. I
>> will buy tools if I need to.
>>
>> The engine has 150,000 miles on it, and I dont think its had any major
>> work done to it. Could I maybe put a thicker oil in it to silence the
>> ticking? Could someone out there let me know what all these things would
>> do and suggest others I might try? Other than the ticking it's perfect,
>> although it tends to idle around the 250 rpm mark when at a stoplight
>> after it's all warmed up.
>>
>> Oh and it's hot in florida
>>
>> Troy
>>
>
>