LIFTER OR ROD TAPPING IN MY 88 GRAND WAGONEER...

Recently purchased my 88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and had it in the shop for
a tune up and carburetor cleaning. It has a little over 150K on it and
I noticed a few days ago a tapping sound whenever any load is put on
the engine (going up hill or accelerating). It doesn't tap when idling
and seems to drive okay. I haven't checked to see if the gas mileage
has changed (even though it gets horrible mileage). A friend of mine
thought it could be a lifter or rod...not being a mechanic I have not
idea what is involved in the repair. Any advice would be greatly
appreciated.

Thanks,

Ryan

On 27 Sep 2006 14:23:38 -0700, [email protected] wrote:

>Recently purchased my 88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and had it in the shop for
>a tune up and carburetor cleaning. It has a little over 150K on it and
>I noticed a few days ago a tapping sound whenever any load is put on
>the engine (going up hill or accelerating). It doesn't tap when idling
>and seems to drive okay. I haven't checked to see if the gas mileage
>has changed (even though it gets horrible mileage). A friend of mine
>thought it could be a lifter or rod...not being a mechanic I have not
>idea what is involved in the repair. Any advice would be greatly
>appreciated.


The AMC 360 is not a trouble prone engine. For starters get a fresh
oil change in it now. No 5w30 ever. Try some 15w40 (not 10w40) and see
if the noise changes any or goes any but do not keep driving it
otherwsie until some resolution is obtained.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com

On 27 Sep 2006 14:23:38 -0700, [email protected] wrote:

>Recently purchased my 88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and had it in the shop for
>a tune up and carburetor cleaning. It has a little over 150K on it and
>I noticed a few days ago a tapping sound whenever any load is put on
>the engine (going up hill or accelerating). It doesn't tap when idling
>and seems to drive okay. I haven't checked to see if the gas mileage
>has changed (even though it gets horrible mileage). A friend of mine
>thought it could be a lifter or rod...not being a mechanic I have not
>idea what is involved in the repair. Any advice would be greatly
>appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Ryan

Exhaust leaks will sound like that and will increase with increasing
load. A lifter will make the same noise pretty much all the time,
just faster as you go faster. A rod would also be load dependent.

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Recently purchased my 88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and had it in the shop for
> a tune up and carburetor cleaning. It has a little over 150K on it and
> I noticed a few days ago a tapping sound whenever any load is put on
> the engine (going up hill or accelerating). It doesn't tap when idling
> and seems to drive okay. I haven't checked to see if the gas mileage
> has changed (even though it gets horrible mileage). A friend of mine
> thought it could be a lifter or rod...not being a mechanic I have not
> idea what is involved in the repair. Any advice would be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ryan
>

Timing too far advanced when it was in for the tune up? take it back and
get them to check it again!

On Thu, 28 Sep 2006 21:54:38 +1000, "Justin Case" <.> wrote:

>Timing too far advanced when it was in for the tune up? take it back and
>get them to check it again!

The AMC 360 is low compression copared to other Detriot motors of
that era and not very prone to spark knock even with 87 octane.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com

"SnoMan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Thu, 28 Sep 2006 21:54:38 +1000, "Justin Case" <.> wrote:
>
>>Timing too far advanced when it was in for the tune up? take it back and
>>get them to check it again!
>
> The AMC 360 is low compression copared to other Detriot motors of
> that era and not very prone to spark knock even with 87 octane.
> -----------------
> TheSnoMan.com


Thanks for that SnoMan, I've learnt something here today

I would be checking the exhaust manifolds for a crack first and be
checking the timing second.

I have seen engines where the distributor has slipped after a tune up
and sneaky ones like the vacuum advance was left on or off depending on
your pollution controls during the timing setup. There were some
strange 80's emissions setups on some Jeeps, like the 258's of that
years timing was set at 1600 rpm, not idle.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

[email protected] wrote:
>
> Recently purchased my 88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and had it in the shop for
> a tune up and carburetor cleaning. It has a little over 150K on it and
> I noticed a few days ago a tapping sound whenever any load is put on
> the engine (going up hill or accelerating). It doesn't tap when idling
> and seems to drive okay. I haven't checked to see if the gas mileage
> has changed (even though it gets horrible mileage). A friend of mine
> thought it could be a lifter or rod...not being a mechanic I have not
> idea what is involved in the repair. Any advice would be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ryan

Thanks a bunch guys for the advice! I had a friend tell me to put some
Lucas Fuel Additive and some Lucas Oil Stabilizer but haven't gotten
around to it just yet. Should I hold off on adding stuff like that
(mind you I'm not a mechanic). The noise is still there as of today
and like many of you said...It pops - taps - pings only when I
accelerate.

If there are any other suggestions...don't hesitate to offer them up!

Ryan
88 Grand Wagoneer - all original - 150K

Mike Romain wrote:
> I would be checking the exhaust manifolds for a crack first and be
> checking the timing second.
>
> I have seen engines where the distributor has slipped after a tune up
> and sneaky ones like the vacuum advance was left on or off depending on
> your pollution controls during the timing setup. There were some
> strange 80's emissions setups on some Jeeps, like the 258's of that
> years timing was set at 1600 rpm, not idle.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> [email protected] wrote:
> >
> > Recently purchased my 88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and had it in the shop for
> > a tune up and carburetor cleaning. It has a little over 150K on it and
> > I noticed a few days ago a tapping sound whenever any load is put on
> > the engine (going up hill or accelerating). It doesn't tap when idling
> > and seems to drive okay. I haven't checked to see if the gas mileage
> > has changed (even though it gets horrible mileage). A friend of mine
> > thought it could be a lifter or rod...not being a mechanic I have not
> > idea what is involved in the repair. Any advice would be greatly
> > appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Ryan

Okay Guys...here is another tricky part of the situation...further
explanation...I commute about 10 miles to work and 10 miles home. On
mile 8 or 9 of the commute in either way, the tapping noise ceases to
exist...but then reoccurs the next day. Very puzzling to me because
the Jeep drives fine, runs fine, and everything. Guess I should take
it in...I'm confused.

Thanks again!

Mike Romain wrote:
> I would be checking the exhaust manifolds for a crack first and be
> checking the timing second.
>
> I have seen engines where the distributor has slipped after a tune up
> and sneaky ones like the vacuum advance was left on or off depending on
> your pollution controls during the timing setup. There were some
> strange 80's emissions setups on some Jeeps, like the 258's of that
> years timing was set at 1600 rpm, not idle.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>
> [email protected] wrote:
> >
> > Recently purchased my 88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and had it in the shop for
> > a tune up and carburetor cleaning. It has a little over 150K on it and
> > I noticed a few days ago a tapping sound whenever any load is put on
> > the engine (going up hill or accelerating). It doesn't tap when idling
> > and seems to drive okay. I haven't checked to see if the gas mileage
> > has changed (even though it gets horrible mileage). A friend of mine
> > thought it could be a lifter or rod...not being a mechanic I have not
> > idea what is involved in the repair. Any advice would be greatly
> > appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Ryan

In article <[email protected]>,
"ryanarch" <[email protected]> wrote:

> Okay Guys...here is another tricky part of the situation...further
> explanation...I commute about 10 miles to work and 10 miles home. On
> mile 8 or 9 of the commute in either way, the tapping noise ceases to
> exist...but then reoccurs the next day. Very puzzling to me because
> the Jeep drives fine, runs fine, and everything. Guess I should take
> it in...I'm confused.

You have constant oil pressure - yes?

Fill with premium gas as well - bad gas will cause misfiring.

Other than that - sounds like an oil blockage from sludge?

Best get an expert locally - I would!

Molesworth

That would likely rule out the timing then unless the distributor is
seized up internally and loosens up after it gets hot enough. To test
this, you can remove the distributor cap and grab the rotor and twist
it. It should twist under a strong spring load and pop right back. If
it doesn't, then the center well under the rotor needs oil badly. It
has a felt wick that is supposed to be lubed up every tune up.

It doesn't rule out the cracked exhaust though. They change noises with
heat.

One decent trick is to put a quart of ATF into the oil about 100 miles
before the next oil change. This will loosen up and clean out crud that
can build up in the oil.

Mike

ryanarch wrote:
>
> Okay Guys...here is another tricky part of the situation...further
> explanation...I commute about 10 miles to work and 10 miles home. On
> mile 8 or 9 of the commute in either way, the tapping noise ceases to
> exist...but then reoccurs the next day. Very puzzling to me because
> the Jeep drives fine, runs fine, and everything. Guess I should take
> it in...I'm confused.
>
> Thanks again!
>
> Mike Romain wrote:
> > I would be checking the exhaust manifolds for a crack first and be
> > checking the timing second.
> >
> > I have seen engines where the distributor has slipped after a tune up
> > and sneaky ones like the vacuum advance was left on or off depending on
> > your pollution controls during the timing setup. There were some
> > strange 80's emissions setups on some Jeeps, like the 258's of that
> > years timing was set at 1600 rpm, not idle.
> >
> > Mike
> > 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> > 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> > Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> > Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
> > (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
> >
> > [email protected] wrote:
> > >
> > > Recently purchased my 88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and had it in the shop for
> > > a tune up and carburetor cleaning. It has a little over 150K on it and
> > > I noticed a few days ago a tapping sound whenever any load is put on
> > > the engine (going up hill or accelerating). It doesn't tap when idling
> > > and seems to drive okay. I haven't checked to see if the gas mileage
> > > has changed (even though it gets horrible mileage). A friend of mine
> > > thought it could be a lifter or rod...not being a mechanic I have not
> > > idea what is involved in the repair. Any advice would be greatly
> > > appreciated.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Ryan

Fill the tank with premium and add an octane booster. That would
*hopefully* get rid of minor detonation if that is what is causing it,
unless you have truly heavy carbon.

Think Mike or someone mentioned exhaust leak. If the noise consistently
goes away after a few miles of driving, I'd double check that, with the
engine cold, just to eliminate it.

ryanarch proclaimed:

> Okay Guys...here is another tricky part of the situation...further
> explanation...I commute about 10 miles to work and 10 miles home. On
> mile 8 or 9 of the commute in either way, the tapping noise ceases to
> exist...but then reoccurs the next day. Very puzzling to me because
> the Jeep drives fine, runs fine, and everything. Guess I should take
> it in...I'm confused.
>
> Thanks again!
>
> Mike Romain wrote:
>
>>I would be checking the exhaust manifolds for a crack first and be
>>checking the timing second.
>>
>>I have seen engines where the distributor has slipped after a tune up
>>and sneaky ones like the vacuum advance was left on or off depending on
>>your pollution controls during the timing setup. There were some
>>strange 80's emissions setups on some Jeeps, like the 258's of that
>>years timing was set at 1600 rpm, not idle.
>>
>>Mike
>>86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
>>88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
>>Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
>>Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
>>(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)
>>
>>[email protected] wrote:
>>
>>>Recently purchased my 88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and had it in the shop for
>>>a tune up and carburetor cleaning. It has a little over 150K on it and
>>>I noticed a few days ago a tapping sound whenever any load is put on
>>>the engine (going up hill or accelerating). It doesn't tap when idling
>>>and seems to drive okay. I haven't checked to see if the gas mileage
>>>has changed (even though it gets horrible mileage). A friend of mine
>>>thought it could be a lifter or rod...not being a mechanic I have not
>>>idea what is involved in the repair. Any advice would be greatly
>>>appreciated.
>>>
>>>Thanks,
>>>
>>>Ryan
>
>