Noisy Ticking Lifter? (longish)
 

92 Wrangler YJ L6 HO 140K miles.

Symptom: Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, for about 5 seconds then goes
away for 10 seconds, then repeats - er, sometimes...
Happens hot or cold (used to be just cold). Was extremely infrequent.
Now, it happens daily for 20 days now. When hot, goes away immdiately
upon acceleration (at least I can't hear it anymore). Comes back at
idle while at a light, stop sign, etc.

My attempts at troubleshooting: I thought it was the injectors.
Unpluged each of them one at a time during the "tick" - no change. So,
it can't be the injectors. I thought it was the stock header that was
cracked. Visibly I can see no cracks (used mirrors on the underside
and all around). I cannot feel any hot blowing air using my hand. Of
course near the front cylinder the fan may mask a leak that I cannot
see. Tried 1 qt. of ATF in the crankcase for 500 miles, then oil/filter
change. At first I thought that did it, now it's actually worse
(sigh).

History: Running Mobil 1 synthetic since 70K. Motor does not smoke or
burn any oil between changes. Oil comes out clean as can be expected
after 3k miles. Zero sludge.

What I haven't done: Time chain/gear set - could this make that
"tick"?

Questions: Lifters/pushrods are way cheap. Is it true the lifters can
be removed from the top with an extraction tool? Anybody done it and
care to comnment? A collapsed lifter doesn't necessarily mean a bad
cam lobe does it?

Searching google on lifter/valve noise brings up so many possible
solutions and "maybe's". I'd thought I'd ask again anyway. Tonight at
home we'll see what Haynes has to say. Until then, thanks for your
opinions.

bjc

Re: Noisy Ticking Lifter? (longish)
 

brianc did pass the time by typing:
> 92 Wrangler YJ L6 HO 140K miles.
>
> Symptom: Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, for about 5 seconds then goes
> away for 10 seconds, then repeats - er, sometimes...
> Happens hot or cold (used to be just cold). Was extremely infrequent.
> Now, it happens daily for 20 days now. When hot, goes away immdiately
> upon acceleration (at least I can't hear it anymore). Comes back at
> idle while at a light, stop sign, etc.

That can also be a cracked exhaust header.

Look around and see if you can find a smily face
on one of the pipes.

Mine was cracked right at the lower union where
it was welded up.
http://revbeergoggles.com/banks/images/stock.jpg
There are other pictures out there.


Replaced with the Banks, happy since.

--
DougW

Re: Noisy Ticking Lifter? (longish)
 

brianc did pass the time by typing:
> 92 Wrangler YJ L6 HO 140K miles.
>
> Symptom: Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, for about 5 seconds then goes
> away for 10 seconds, then repeats - er, sometimes...
> Happens hot or cold (used to be just cold). Was extremely infrequent.
> Now, it happens daily for 20 days now. When hot, goes away immdiately
> upon acceleration (at least I can't hear it anymore). Comes back at
> idle while at a light, stop sign, etc.

That can also be a cracked exhaust header.

Look around and see if you can find a smily face
on one of the pipes.

Mine was cracked right at the lower union where
it was welded up.
http://revbeergoggles.com/banks/images/stock.jpg
There are other pictures out there.


Replaced with the Banks, happy since.

--
DougW

Re: Noisy Ticking Lifter? (longish)
 

brianc did pass the time by typing:
> 92 Wrangler YJ L6 HO 140K miles.
>
> Symptom: Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, for about 5 seconds then goes
> away for 10 seconds, then repeats - er, sometimes...
> Happens hot or cold (used to be just cold). Was extremely infrequent.
> Now, it happens daily for 20 days now. When hot, goes away immdiately
> upon acceleration (at least I can't hear it anymore). Comes back at
> idle while at a light, stop sign, etc.

That can also be a cracked exhaust header.

Look around and see if you can find a smily face
on one of the pipes.

Mine was cracked right at the lower union where
it was welded up.
http://revbeergoggles.com/banks/images/stock.jpg
There are other pictures out there.


Replaced with the Banks, happy since.

--
DougW

Re: Noisy Ticking Lifter? (longish)
 

brianc did pass the time by typing:
> 92 Wrangler YJ L6 HO 140K miles.
>
> Symptom: Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, for about 5 seconds then goes
> away for 10 seconds, then repeats - er, sometimes...
> Happens hot or cold (used to be just cold). Was extremely infrequent.
> Now, it happens daily for 20 days now. When hot, goes away immdiately
> upon acceleration (at least I can't hear it anymore). Comes back at
> idle while at a light, stop sign, etc.

That can also be a cracked exhaust header.

Look around and see if you can find a smily face
on one of the pipes.

Mine was cracked right at the lower union where
it was welded up.
http://revbeergoggles.com/banks/images/stock.jpg
There are other pictures out there.


Replaced with the Banks, happy since.

--
DougW