Noisy lifter

[sams88]

Alas, I have a 4.0L with a noisy lifter. Short of replacing the lifters, does anyone have some other fixes like Sea Foam? How long should you run that stuff in the engine before draining? Any others???

[Lurch]

We have an oil system flush at work that has worked for me in the past. Not sure if they sell it over the counter. Also heard of using ATF, dump a quart in and let it idle for 30min or so and change the oil.

[Wrench]

What oil are you currently running? If it is pretty light, I would go with a heavier truck oil, like Mobil 1 15w50 or Shell Rotella T.

I have seen Marvels Mystery Oil do wonders to engines, also.

[White trash]

Sea foam, marvels and atf will all do the trick most of the time. Just dump a quart in and drive it for a few days and change the oil. If the problem persists try running a high detergent oil (atf is extremely high detergent, that's why it works) such as delo 400 or rotella T for the next oil change and that should cure it.

[sams88]

thank you, will give the stuff a try then.

[Roman]

What oil are you currently running? If it is pretty light, I would go with a heavier truck oil, like Mobil 1 15w50 or Shell Rotella T.

I have seen Marvels Mystery Oil do wonders to engines, also.

Wrench, from what I've tried the 4.0L's don't like heavier oil.
My jeep is starting to sound pretty loose so a couple of oil changes ago I went to a heavier viscosity, figured it would help oil pressure and give the bearings a little more cushion. Boy was I wrong! It sounded worse than ever and I was only able to stand it for one jeep run, lowest mile oil change I've ever done . . .

[Wrench]

I would try the Marvels to see if it helps.

As for oil, I have recently become a fan of Valvoline Syn Power.

[sams88]

I got a can of Sea Foam and will dump that in tomorrow and see how that goes. Keeping the fingers crossed. I ran into another gent that had used that in his cherokee and he said it worked for him. So will soon see.

[Danny]

Bruce, keep us posted. I've got an annoying little tap, tap, tap that I'd like to try that on.

[SPR]

Danny, I have heard your Tapping Noise. It sounds an awful lot like a failing main bearing.

[Roman]

Timing chains in 2.5/4.0 motors make an awful lot of noise when they wear out. Not a main bearing noise, but a generally loose feeling.

[Wrench]

Timing chains in 2.5/4.0 motors make an awful lot of noise when they wear out. Not a main bearing noise, but a generally loose feeling.

When it's the timing set noise, it will be noisiest at idle, and fade away quickly when revved up.

Those timing chain tensioners are pretty cheesy and fail often.

[sams88]

Well this one makes no noise when the engine is cold, but when it warms up the tapping starts. I dumped the Sea Foam in. Probably have about 50 miles on the engine now. Still making the same noise.

[Danny]

Mine is definately worse at an idle, and with 150K plus miles on the 4 banger it could be just about anything. I'm sure some day it will make itself known.

[Wrench]

Mine is definately worse at an idle, and with 150K plus miles on the 4 banger it could be just about anything. I'm sure some day it will make itself known.

Just a warning; if it is the cam chain tensioner (which it most likely is), the loose cam rattle will wreak havoc on your cam and distributor. I couldnt return my cam as a core because the distributor drive gear teeth on it were shot.

I also found many of the timing chain rollers in the bottom of the oil pan.

[Wrench]

Well this one makes no noise when the engine is cold, but when it warms up the tapping starts. I dumped the Sea Foam in. Probably have about 50 miles on the engine now. Still making the same noise.

I believe Sea Foam is just a strong oil-based detergent. I would do an oil change now and see what happens.

I would also try the Marvels in the new oil. It is the only engine oil additive that I have actually seen positive results from.