2000 XJ Engine tick/knock

[Green Mesa XJ]

I'm not sure the sound on the video is the normal 4.0 clatter.

Mine has always made the famous 4.0 noise. I cant diagnose it from the sound on the video, I thought it sounded like it was from back of the motor and not the normal XJ 4.0 sounds but I could very well be wrong again

 

[Jeepguy03]

The diesel clatter 4.0s make is usually varnished hydraulic lifters. If you listen the sound is usually loudest from the cam side of the engine.

Unfortunately, the OP's engine is not making that sound. The rhythm is different and it is much more pronounced. I'm 99% sure that is a broken piston skirt. If you pull the oil pan you will likely find piston pieces in the pan.

Fixing it all depends on how much damage there is and how scored the cylinder bore is. I've read about a few guys pulling the damaged piston out, throwing a new one in and slapping it back together with no issues. It all depends on the damage done, and what the Jeep is worth to you. Is the body in good enough shape for a newer engine? Maybe a good used one? Stroker? It's really up to you and your wallet.

I'd also like to add that a V8 swap while not impossible is a hell of a lot of work. Lots of custom fab needed to fit the engine in not to mention wiring, transmission control, etc. You would be better off just buying a V8 Grand Cherokee if you wanted a V8. Stroker engine is much easier, bolts right in, and has a ton of power.

**I would also not drive this Jeep while it is making this noise to avoid damaging the engine more, or possibly putting a connecting rod through the side if the piston comes apart completely. **

 

[bamajosh]

The diesel clatter 4.0s make is usually varnished hydraulic lifters. If you listen the sound is usually loudest from the cam side of the engine.

Unfortunately, the OP's engine is not making that sound. The rhythm is different and it is much more pronounced. I'm 99% sure that is a broken piston skirt. If you pull the oil pan you will likely find piston pieces in the pan.

Fixing it all depends on how much damage there is and how scored the cylinder bore is. I've read about a few guys pulling the damaged piston out, throwing a new one in and slapping it back together with no issues. It all depends on the damage done, and what the Jeep is worth to you. Is the body in good enough shape for a newer engine? Maybe a good used one? Stroker? It's really up to you and your wallet.

I'd also like to add that a V8 swap while not impossible is a hell of a lot of work. Lots of custom fab needed to fit the engine in not to mention wiring, transmission control, etc. You would be better off just buying a V8 Grand Cherokee if you wanted a V8. Stroker engine is much easier, bolts right in, and has a ton of power.

**I would also not drive this Jeep while it is making this noise to avoid damaging the engine more, or possibly putting a connecting rod through the side if the piston comes apart completely. **

I started putting an Excel spreadsheet together this weekend for a stroker build vs stock rebuild vs V8 swap.

Stroker is out. Too much money for too little gain IMO.
Stock rebuild is a possibility.

I bought a 97 ZJ Tsi from a kid a few months back. It is a 4x4 5.2. Kid said the exhaust busted on it. I took a new radiator hose and $500 and a couple gallons of antifreeze. As soon as he signed of over the bill of sale and title I popped the hood and fixed and drove it home. So I am thinking real hard about swapping the V8 the in.

My XJ is in great shape and I have put a lot of blood, sweat and cuss words in to it. Plus my daughter loves.

 

[Jeepguy03]

I started putting an Excel spreadsheet together this weekend for a stroker build vs stock rebuild vs V8 swap.

Stroker is out. Too much money for too little gain IMO.
Stock rebuild is a possibility.

I bought a 97 ZJ Tsi from a kid a few months back. It is a 4x4 5.2. Kid said the exhaust busted on it. I took a new radiator hose and $500 and a couple gallons of antifreeze. As soon as he signed of over the bill of sale and title I popped the hood and fixed and drove it home. So I am thinking real hard about swapping the V8 the in.

My XJ is in great shape and I have put a lot of blood, sweat and cuss words in to it. Plus my daughter loves.

The problem isn't actually purchasing the V8, its what it will cost to get it to work in the XJ. Getting that 5.2 to work in the XJ will cost a lot more than a Stroker. You have to fab custom mounts, exhaust, adapter for the transmission, controller for the transmission, the electronics will be a mess, etc.

I think your best bet is a used engine. You can find them on Craigslist still in the vehicle so you can hear them run for a few hundred bucks.

 

[bamajosh]

The problem isn't actually purchasing the V8, its what it will cost to get it to work in the XJ. Getting that 5.2 to work in the XJ will cost a lot more than a Stroker. You have to fab custom mounts, exhaust, adapter for the transmission, controller for the transmission, the electronics will be a mess, etc.

I think your best bet is a used engine. You can find them on Craigslist still in the vehicle so you can hear them run for a few hundred bucks.

From what several of the guys who have done the swaps have said, the ZJ mounts will work, ZJ exhaust will work, the ZJ computer will controll everything. The biggest things I will have to do is adapt the XJ wiring harness and the ZJ wiring together and adapt the Rough Country long arm crossmember to work with ZJ tranmission. Or make an all new crossmember to work with my long arms.

I already have a complete and running ZJ. The 97 ZJ and 2000 XJ computers both use the same CCD bus computers.