Loud ticking or tapping sound

[gthsr13]

Hi, my 97 2.5L has developed a loud ticking or tapping sound. A local mechanic said “it’s in the valve train, you need a new motor”. I’m not mechanical at all. Does his comment make sense?

 

[srimes]

Hi, my 97 2.5L has developed a loud ticking or tapping sound. A local mechanic said “it’s in the valve train, you need a new motor”. I’m not mechanical at all. Does his comment make sense?

Not to me. The valve train is generally quite repairable. Did you get a quote?

 

[macleanflood]

Video with sound might help. Post it to YouTube and post the link here.

Compression/leak down test might help.

-Mac

 

[gthsr13]

Not to me. The valve train is generally quite repairable. Did you get a quote?

They quoted 5500 for installing a used motor and 7700 for a Jasper.

 

[macleanflood]

They quoted 5500 for installing a used motor and 7700 for a Jasper.

Do some searching on these forums for Jasper engines. I don't think you'll like the results or the information.

If I had a 2.5 engine failure I'd either do a 5.3 LS or a 5.2 or .9 Magnum swap...the Magnum V8 only needs something like 14 additional wires.

Thread '97 Wrangler 5.2 Magnum Swap Wiring'

Apr 10, 2023

Hello Everyone,
I am in the middle of my 2.5 to 5.2 swap, 44RE trans and 231 Transfer case. The posts in the Forum have been instrumental in helping with the swap. I do have a question. I am using a 1998 GC as my donor and I was going to have the SKIM removed from the GC ECM and use that. What I was looking for is, does anyone have a listing of what pin outs and blending I need to do wiring harness. I am sure tis has been done before so I thought I would ask for some help rather than reinventing the wheel.

Thanks Mike

• Mikey G
• Replies: 24
• Forum: TJ General Discussion

-Mac

 

[Gilaguy23]

Where are these guys getting these prices from, Kardashian auto repair?? What are they charging, $4000 in labor? #1 find another shop. #2 Does it quiet down after it gets warmed up? that tick would be a cracked exhaust or loose exhaust manifold. How bad is the tick or ticking? Id post a vid of my ZJ that sounds like a diesel, like many 4.0 owners describe. Post a vid if you can, that will help bunches.

 

[srimes]

They quoted 5500 for installing a used motor and 7700 for a Jasper.

Shop around, those guys aren't interested in fixing your engine. Get another quote. You should be able to find someone willing to actually fix the engine and not just swap it out.

How many miles are on it? They might be assuming it's so worn that it isn't worth it for them to just fix this noise, and they might be right. The economics are different for a shop.

Some shops will charge a diagnostics fee. Shouldn't be more than 2-3 hundred, and that's OK.

If you were doing it yourself on a budget you might be able to fix it for $100. If this isn't your only car and you want to learn how to work on it yourself, this is one of the easiest setups you'll find.