Loud rattling noise - top engine

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Lobato

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Hey guys

Need some ideas here. My 2006 Libby has developed a very bad rattling noise when idle and after reaching working temperature. It does not follow a "pattern" or rhythm. Pretty much disappears when accelerating, around 2000 rpm is gone. Fairly sure is coming from the top of the engine, and I would say on the driver's side. When idling I can hear it from the inside of the cabin, and it is also noticeable when I let go the throttle. My initial guess is timing chain tensioners, and maybe a failed gasket, as I noticed some coolant sitting close to where the oil filter is. The Liberty is now with 311k km on the clock.

What else, other than bad timing tensioners, can it be? Would you guys recommend changing the chain as well, or only the tensioners?

I will try and make a video of it and add to this thread.

Cheers!
 

LibertyTC

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A mechanics stethoscope may help pinpoint the rattle location much easier.
Short video of the rattle may help.
Would be interested in knowing what the Jeep sounds like if you were to remove the serpentine belt, and run it for less than a minute.
Yes OBD2 dash lights will illuminate, but wondering if rattle goes away...
If it is from top of engine, could you have dropped a rocker? If so pull effected valve covers & inspect.
 

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Lobato

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A mechanics stethoscope may help pinpoint the rattle location much easier.
Short video of the rattle may help.
Would be interested in knowing what the Jeep sounds like if you were to remove the serpentine belt, and run it for less than a minute.
Yes OBD2 dash lights will illuminate, but wondering if rattle goes away...
If it is from top of engine, could you have dropped a rocker? If so pull effected valve covers & inspect.
Thanks a lot for the reply!
I did try the serpentine belt before, I forgot to add that to my initial message.
Another thing is that I have no ODBII codes, no misfires, nothing other than the rattling/tapping noise. It sounds almost like a diesel engine when warmed up and idling.
I will open the valve train cover, and maybe I can take a peek at the top of the chain as well.

**EDIT**
I used a pry bar as a "stethoscope" and the noise is coming from the very front end of the driver's side valve cover (see photo below) and it propagates down the entire valve cover.
Checked the passenger side and I could not hear anything.

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LibertyTC

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Very clean inside, regular oil changes is a good sign!
Can't see back rockers / lobes to well.
 

Lobato

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Very clean inside, regular oil changes is a good sign!
Can't see back rockers / lobes to well.
I change oil every 3,000 miles (4,800 km), and use Mobil 1 5w30 in all changes, so at least I know that this is not going to be the cause of the issue hehe... But the mystery persists, and I am getting to the conclusion that it might actually be something timing chain related... Which is going to cost me at least some 800 CAD in parts...
 

LibertyTC

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Tried firing it up with cover off quickly to observe any noise?
 

Lobato

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Tried firing it up with cover off quickly to observe any noise?
That I did not think on doing! Maybe tomorrow I am gonna open that again and see if I can identify what's the issue. Thanks for the tip!

The odd thing is that the noise is only on the driver's side. Nothing on the bottom nor on the passenger side. Maybe the secondary chain tensioner on that side is not keeping up?
 

Lobato

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my bet is that it is the chain / guides.
yep, that is my best guess too.

Have you considered failing lifters?
I thought about it, but I did not see any thing obviously wrong after opening up the valve cover. I tried to move things around and everything seemed to be tight. I also used a pry bar as a stethoscope and the noise seems to be coming from the front of the valve cover at the driver's side.

How can I tell if a lifter is failing? I might open that thing again on the weekend.

Thanks a lot, folks!

*EDIT* I looked for videos on the noise of sticking lifters and I must say that the sound is quite similar to what I hear on my Jeep when idling. However, if I rev it up the noise seems to almost go away, and with lifters it should increase with the engine revving up, right?
 
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The gov

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yep, that is my best guess too.





I thought about it, but I did not see any thing obviously wrong after opening up the valve cover. I tried to move things around and everything seemed to be tight. I also used a pry bar as a stethoscope and the noise seems to be coming from the front of the valve cover at the driver's side.



How can I tell if a lifter is failing? I might open that thing again on the weekend.



Thanks a lot, folks!



*EDIT* I looked for videos on the noise of sticking lifters and I must say that the sound is quite similar to what I hear on my Jeep when idling. However, if I rev it up the noise seems to almost go away, and with lifters it should increase with the engine reJust a shot in the dark vving up, right?
 

The gov

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Hi just a shot in the dark but I would check my oil pressure with a master gauge
 

duderz7

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As the engine revs oil pressure increases which could potentially quite weak lifters. As was suggested above it might be worth checking oil pressure, but I suspect lifters as they are known to cause issues if maintenance (quality oil changes) was not kept up. There are some very informative videos by "Martinbuilt". I haven't been into my engine this far yet, but he explains things very well.
 

Lobato

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As the engine revs oil pressure increases which could potentially quite weak lifters. As was suggested above it might be worth checking oil pressure, but I suspect lifters as they are known to cause issues if maintenance (quality oil changes) was not kept up. There are some very informative videos by "Martinbuilt". I haven't been into my engine this far yet, but he explains things very well.

Hi just a shot in the dark but I would check my oil pressure with a master gauge

I will definitely take a look at oil pressure and the lifters for sure. I have zero knowledge regarding how was the maintenance of the Liberty before I got it in Nov. 2021.
Appreciate the input, guys!

**EDIT**
I think my jeep is slowing telling me that it is dying... I just found a coolant leak that is causing coolant to pool close to where the oil filter is. It seems to be coming from front cover, but I can't be sure. Is it 311 k km (almost 200k miles) where the Liberty starts falling apart? :(
 
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Lobato

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Maybe it's saying it needs some love?
That could be too... although I own this car for only about 18 months and I have given quite a bit of love, I am not sure if I can undo 14 years of whatever has been done to it before I bought it.

I will check for the lifters over the weekend and hopefully that will be it.
 

Lobato

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Question: before I order new lifters for the Jeep (so far I could not find them available here), what is the best way to test them? Is it just a matter of removing the valve cover and starting it for a bit and try to identify what is making the noise?

As a last resource before replacing the lifters. Has anyone of you tried to use seafoam to help with lifter noise? I might buy a can tomorrow to try it out and see if that works.

Thanks!
 
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