It's funny you should ask this. Usually it is the 3.7 that is more noisy than the 4.0.
My 3.7 ticks all the time and always has. More so on cold days, when first starting up.
On my 4.0 Cherokee, it would also tick on start up.
The only other thing I can think of, would be the belt tensioner, that ticks on the 4.0, but that is usually continuous when it is going bad.

 

I saw 17 degrees this winter here in Florida and my 4.0 makes no strange sound on start up ..

 

Haven't noticed anything this past winter in Cincinnati.

 

I'm told alot of cold engine ticks tend to be either piston slap or lifter noise. Some people freak out about it, but IMO it's just a trait most engines will get as they age. Also keep in mind that cold oil is not the correct viscosity for the engine to function as designed. If it continues once the engine has warmed up. That's the time to worry.

As the weather warms up things may change. Recently out here temps shot up to the 70s and my 3.7 has been stumbling within the first couple times it comes to idle after starting. I shrug it off as the computer figuring out the settings for the temp change. if it continues, then I'll look for a solution.

 

sounds like your service guy is giving you the bizz,what type of gas are you using? most now contain 10% ethanol,so I use Lucas fuel injector cleaner in the tank maybe every ten fill ups to help keep them (injectors)clean.My nitro has done no knocking in the four plus years I've owned it.hope you find out what it is.

 

Hi jerseynitro
I have a 2008 4.0 engine and it made a ticking noise as well just after I bought it. The dealer told me it was a shortrunner valve at the front of the engine and not to worry about it. I took it on a trip and must have cleaned it out as it stopped this noise and hasn't made it since. This was about 3 months ago and now it seems fine. Probably using a different gas could have helped to. Hope this helps.
Tom

 

Haven't heard anything in my 4.0 either.....don't want to either.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate it. I'll just have to keep an eye on it and see if it settles down. Hopefully it will.

Btw Hectorio, I use 89 octane gas. Not sure how much ethanol it has in it.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate it. I'll just have to keep an eye on it and see if it settles down. Hopefully it will.

Btw Hectorio, I use 89 octane gas. Not sure how much ethanol it has in it.

Jersey .. I'd look real hard at your Idler pulley .I had to replace mine ..It sounded
more like valve tap than a click ..But we may just be talking about the same sound just another description ..

 

My 07 Nitro 4.0L makes a clicking or tapping noise as well upon first startup of the day. Usually if I let it warm up a few minutes it will go away on its own. Sometimes it stays though and I have to turn the engine off and then back on to be rid of the noise. As far as I can tell there has been no performance change when it is ticking, and turning the engine off and back on again has always cleared it up so I don't think its anything disasterous. Although it is kind of annoying. i wonder if it's just something that I can tighten up or replace on my own but I can't pinpoint where exactly its coming from...

 

Welcome to the forum Pilly.

When you have a chance, head over to the Newbie Section and say "Hi".
Tell us a little about yourself and your ride.
That way we can welcome you all proper like.

The OP has a 3.7L , however the thread evolved into including the 4.0.
If your issue goes away after a re-start, my guess is it may be a lifter that is not working as it should, or maybe a rocker arm that gets stuck a little off to the side.
Hard to say for sure. If you could isolate the noise a little better for us it would help a lot.
Next time it happens pop the hood and listen to see if you can locate the sound.

 

When it occurs I can't really pinpoint where it is coming from, although it seems to be sounding a little louder coming from the right side of the engine. And it also sounds like its louder from underneath than from the top. I took a small video of it but I'm not sure how to post it just yet...

 

As for uploading the video, best option is to upload to Photobucket or YouTube and link it from there.

 

Pilly, I believe I've heard this sound on my RT as well. It didn't seem to affect much so I didn't spend much time with it. I too only noticed it first thing in the morning. I'm not sure if it is because I start it in my garage and that amplifies the sound. I have thought of taking the valve covers off to inspect. It will have to wait until I get my transmission repaired first though.

By the way, hello fellow Albertan and love the choice of colour!

 

Try this...

 

Sounds like a lifter tick.

 

That's what I figured it was as well. Although the sound being louder underneath threw me off.

So if it is a lifter tick. And it goes away once the engine is warm. I wonder how hard it would be to pull the cover off and figure out which one is making the noise?

I have the PDF on the engine and I'm going through it right now. I think it would be fun doing this myself but I don't want to run headlong into pulling my engine apart and then find out that I can't do anything about it, or end up having to wait for something to put it back together. Especially it being my daily driver and all.

 

This How to for a plug change will give you an idea of what you are in for.
Changing plugs on 2011 Shock 4.0L 4x4
It will be more then that, obviously, to get the valve cover off.
You could stethoscope it out. I use a dowel, fold the tragus over the hole in my ear, hold the dowel on it, and touch the valve cover, intake and exhaust manifolds, to isolate the tick more accurately. Just be VERY careful not to touch the dowel to a moving part. Can you say arrow in the ear?

EDIT: While the rig is not running check your carrier pulley to see if it is worn(bearings shot) and the source of the noise. This was common in the early years 4.0

 

does sound like a lifter problem, don't know if it was the video but that sounds very loud ?.

 

Our 4.0 does this on cold starts to, but not as loud. It makes the noise and then fades away quickly. Plus, being in S FL we don't get really cold either.

 

Yeah it sounds fairly loud. I think it might be because its more than one lifter doing it. I'll have to slot some free time to check it out in the next few weeks coming up. We'll see what we can see...

 

When I listened to the sound on the video, it sounded more like a rod knock than a lifter tick to me. Especially since the sound was louder from underneath. If so, your engine will need to be rebuilt.

 

awwww don't go telling me that! As fun as rebuilding a whole engine might be, that would take alot of time to fix...

 

I completely understand how you feel. Nobody wants to face an engine rebuild or replacement. However, I'm just basing my judgement on what I heard in the video. Without actually seeing/hearing it in person, it's difficult to say if the noise is a top of engine problem or a bottom end problem (possibly both). But I do know that if my engine was that noisy, at the very least, I would get it into a trusted reputable shop to be diagnosed.

Wasn't intending to be a bearer of bad news. Just being honest with you.

 

Pilly that sounds quite loud ?. i know you don't want to here this, but i don't want you to break your engine, so maybe you should consider fixing it ASAP, another member had the valve lifter come off and caused alot of damage to the cylinder head.

 

IMO at idol speed it is ticking to fast to be a crank or rod bearing.
But none the less it should be looked at!

 

ticking too slow ?, to be a crank or rod bearing, thats what i thought.