2004 Wrangler 4.0 - Clacking Sound (New)

[WWII-Willys]

Hi Gang

2004 Wrangler 4.0 - 157K Miles. Went away and the Jeep sat for about 4 weeks. When I got back, I started it up and it initially made sort of a 'Racking-Clacking' Sound? It was about a Qt. low and time for an oil change anyway. So I changed the oil and the clacking sound decreased to what it sounds like now. Sample it: HERE F.F. (as you'd like)

Bought it in 2008 with 20K miles - Always drop the oil at 3k and change the filter - Use 10W30 (As Per Owners Manual) - NON SYNTHETIC - Castrol

Driving Habits:
Lived in South Florida for 7 years. Since here, I drive LESS than 2K per year. Always drop oil every 3K ...

Thoughts:
Don't think its a timing pulley (although I have a replacement).
Serpentine Belt seems a bit tight?
Wondering if the Qt. Low did some damage?

Thank You
Mike

 

[D's Jeep Wrld]

I've been at 4qts of oil thinking I had plenty of oil for my oilchange And No other vehicle was at my house but the Lj,Changed the oil with 4qts. Drove it like a civilized person and got the other 2 quarts I needed and put em in! Even at 4 quarts I didn't get no noises!
Edit- (It's been about 20k miles later since that happened)
If anything I'm hearing that belt squeeeling more than anything on your rig! Check your harmonic balancer while your at it cause my Lj sounded just about the same before it 2 pieced itself on my way to Summit racing lol

It could be that the lifters bled off the oil within them since it sat for a bit and you may just need to put in some miles to pump them back up,Although they should pump up quick with the engine being on for some minutes!

I've had lifter noises from 2 things,not knowing of being low on oil (i had a horrible RMS leak at the time) AND drifting around doing donuts causing oil to slosh around and starving my engine of oil for a bit!

 

[WWII-Willys]

Thank You D's Jeep Wrld (that sounds encouraging)

 

[JKP]

At a qt low, there's still 5 qts, so that didn't do any damage.

There's definitely a belt or pulley squeak going on.

Lifter noise on first startup is due to lifters leaking down. Could be leaky lifters or a bad anti drain back valve in the oil filter.