Drivers Side Tick

Dean Reasons

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Oct 15, 2022
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St. Peters Mo
I used my mechanic's stethoscope (long screwdriver with long aluminum rod on the end) to listen for a tick I've been hearing. The injectors are pretty loud when i listened but that seems like it would be normal. I listened around the engine to try and find this tick but couldn't. I listened on the valve cover for a rocker, maybe a pulley, and even on the pushrod and lifter side... Got nothing. I then went to the drivers side and listened around. I could slightly here it on the header. I moved lower and could get the stethoscope on the welch plugs from underneath and that's were it was noticeably louder. I have no idea what is there that could be making the noise unless my manifold is cracked and its somehow resonating on the welch plugs. It's a very consistent and continuous tick which makes me think it's valvetrain and not something rotational. what else could it be? Some said the purge valve is ticking but it was louder from underneath. Others say it's spark knock but again its so consistent that it doesn't sound like detonation. I will add that it is very distinct when driving with the top on or off. Even more distinct than listening with the hood open. Thanks in advance. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
💰 Betting a cracked exhaust manifold

Design makes it tough to see sometimes. And the loud 4.0 can cover some. On your early TJ, the exhaust manifold design was/is very prone to crack. My later TJ has cracked both front and rear. I didn't even know my front was cracked until I replaced my cracked rear portion. I say this because the intake over the exhaust makes diagnosis of a crack very tough sometimes without removal.
 
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💰 Betting a cracked exhaust manifold

Design makes it tough to see sometimes. And the loud 4.0 can cover some. On your early TJ, the exhaust manifold design was/is very prone to crack. My later TJ has cracked both front and rear. I didn't even know my front was cracked until I replaced my cracked rear portion. I say this because the intake over the exhaust makes diagnosis of a crack very tough sometimes without removal.

So I used one of those mechanic stethoscopes and man, did it make a difference... The sound isn't coming from my valve cover. I crawled under the Jeep and noticed that the ticking is very loud at my second cat (rear exhaust manifold) you can hear the ticking down into the exhaust pipe that goes over the oil pan... Going to recheck my manifold bolts as I think they might be loose.
 
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Manifold bolts are all tight and there — the one I thought I missed was one of the rear studs... Could a clogged cat sound this loud?
 
Sounds like the timing chain slapping to me… over the years the timing chain guide breaks and the loose timing chain hits the cover… below the fan on the front of the motor…
 
Manifold bolts are all tight and there — the one I thought I missed was one of the rear studs... Could a clogged cat sound this loud?

My 2004 LJ makes that EXACT noise that your Tj makes at idle. Like it is identical. I have replaced the cats and the sound is still there. Hoping we can find a solution to it.
 
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