New ticking noise (new member)

[joneill]

Hello! Long time lurker who finally joined after encountering a noise today on one of our LJs and my search kungfu is failing me. We have two 2006 unlimiteds (1 manual, 1 auto 4.0L) that are DD for our kids. The 4.0 automatic was emitting a strong fuel odor from the front of the vehicle so I pulled & cleaned the injectors and replaced the o-rings. This seemed to have cleared up the fuel smell, but then I noticed a loud tick from the passenger side. It's not my DD, and my kids are not terribly observant, so I'm not sure when the tick started; it could have been happening before I pulled the injectors, or it could have been something I did. I did shut off the engine, wait 10 seconds, and restart, but the tick is persistent. When I put my finger on the top of the OPDA I can feel a tick that is synced to the sound. It increases in frequency as you apply throttle.

I do have a spare ODPA I purchased and have been working up the courage to change out (I'm new to wrenching and we're using these Jeeps to learn). I bought one to keep on hand in case I had an issue. Anyhow, I wanted to get your opinions on if there is something else at play here that could be the source of the tick that I should be looking at. Here's a recording of the tick:

And thanks for this forum. I've managed to learn quite a lot over the past year fixing up these Jeeps

 

[Chris]

First and foremost I would do the obvious and check the oil level.

I'd also inspect the OPDA as well and don't wait on that!

That to me sounds like lifter tick or rod knock. Probably wouldn't hurt to do a compression test. I've seen posts where this rod knock starts and then it turns into a broken piston skirt when results in an engine rebuild.

 

[JKP]

If that is the OEM OPDA, remove the black cover and see if the tone wheel is hitting the cam sensor.

 

[tm dean]

Welcome to the wrangler tj forum. Great to have you on board......how much oil pressure is the engine maintaining after warmup on the highway. Six cylinders are famous for lifter/valve tick. Kudos to what Chris said..

 

[JKP]

Welcome to the wrangler tj forum. Great to have you on board......how much oil pressure is the engine maintaining after warmup on the highway. Six cylinders are famous for lifter/valve tick. Kudos to what Chris said..

The oil pressure gauge in an 06 is just an idiot light, as the "sensor" is just a switch that closes at 6 PSI. The PCM then moves the needle to midrange. Only way to verify the oil pressure is to use a test gauge.

 

[John Cooper]

Hello! Long time lurker who finally joined after encountering a noise today on one of our LJs and my search kungfu is failing me. We have two 2006 unlimiteds (1 manual, 1 auto 4.0L) that are DD for our kids.

Sorry I'm not gonna help, you own 2 LJ's, that's just not right!!!!!!

What the others have said........ welcome aboard!!!!

 

[joneill]

Thanks everyone for your help and the warm welcome! Oil level was good. Swapped the OPDA out (followed the how to and the video) and the ticking is gone ... for now It looks like it might have been the original pump?

Sorry I'm not gonna help, you own 2 LJ's, that's just not right!!!!!!

Yeah we loved the first one so much (yellow) we got a second (white/manual). Makes for easier maintenance haha. The yellow one was built up as you see it. White one is pretty much stock except for the 31s (PO put them on). Bought everything to do a 1" body lift...still working up to that one too haha. I've mostly just been doing routine stuff like changing all the fluids and whatever needs doing (new radiator, injectors..)

 

[John Cooper]

Thanks everyone for your help and the warm welcome! Oil level was good. Swapped the OPDA out (followed the how to and the video) and the ticking is gone ... for now It looks like it might have been the original pump?

View attachment 659392



Yeah we loved the first one so much (yellow) we got a second (white/manual). Makes for easier maintenance haha. The yellow one was built up as you see it. White one is pretty much stock except for the 31s (PO put them on). Bought everything to do a 1" body lift...still working up to that one too haha. I've mostly just been doing routine stuff like changing all the fluids and whatever needs doing (new radiator, injectors..)

View attachment 659390

@NashvilleTJ will approve!!!!

 

[JKP]

Yes, that is the OEM POS OPDA.

Save the OEM cam sensor.

 

[joneill]

Save the OEM cam sensor.

I did! I am continuing to use the old one.

 

[macleanflood]

Way to put your finger on the problem!

-Mac

 

[Moglocker]

Thanks everyone for your help and the warm welcome! Oil level was good. Swapped the OPDA out (followed the how to and the video) and the ticking is gone ... for now It looks like it might have been the original pump?

View attachment 659392



Yeah we loved the first one so much (yellow) we got a second (white/manual). Makes for easier maintenance haha. The yellow one was built up as you see it. White one is pretty much stock except for the 31s (PO put them on). Bought everything to do a 1" body lift...still working up to that one too haha. I've mostly just been doing routine stuff like changing all the fluids and whatever needs doing (new radiator, injectors..)

View attachment 659390

I’m guessing the girl drives the one with the huge duck on the front?

 

[joneill]

Yeah - it's been a bit of a running joke. We thought for sure someone would have stolen it by now.

 

[tr21triton]

Yeah - it's been a bit of a running joke. We thought for sure someone would have stolen it by now.

Just don't park it anywhere that @AndyG can get to it !

 

[AndyG]

Just don't park it anywhere that @AndyG can get to it !

I’m casing out the white one