How to Solve Jeep Wrangler Engine Clicking Noise While Driving?
Jeep wrangler comes with different engines; 4/6/8 cylinders are the three options. They come with 2.0L, 3.0L, or even 4.0L engines. Most of them will appear as issues after you drive them for a couple of hundred miles. The clicking noise might bother you a lot.
The Jeep Wrangler Engine Clicking noise while driving is an engine problem. It could happen for five reasons. Low fuel level, damaged exhaust, faulty cylinder head, or the noise valve train may create that clicking or ticking sound in driving.
Even the clicking sound might appear when accelerating or idling. Sometimes, the above reason might be there that creates the same noise. Luckily, they all have their respective solutions. I’ll go through it in today’s write-up. So, let’s dive into the problem first.
Look at this video to know why you get the engine clicking or ticking noise from your wrangler.
5 Reasons to Get Engine Clicking Noise
Engine-clicking noise is something that you should never ignore. The reason may be very little or insignificant, but the outcome would be severe. If you ignore the sound for a week, you will likely get some faulty engine parts to change. Within a few weeks, the damaged exhaust or head cylinders start to decrease performance.
That’s why I come up with all the reasons for the clicking noise. These five reasons for engine parts need to be sorted out soon. I’ll show you the repair method and solution for them.
Low Fuel Level
The most common reason for getting clicking sounds from the Jeep Wrangler engine is the low fuel. Even if you get the Jeep Wrangler ticking noise when accelerating, you must check the engine fuel level. The regular fuel level or the engine fuel level goes down. Eventually, the fuel pressure will be lower.
You might get the engine ticking or clicking noise for low fuel and lack of fuel pressure. It happens when you go for a long drive and forget to fill the fuel tank or engine.
Faulty Ignition System
The ignition system plays a crucial role. When you start the engine, it should start within a moment, but the faulty ignition system might fail to turn on the engine. That’s why you’re getting the clicking sound. Mainly, you can’t turn on the engine in winter if the engine is too cold. Getting clicking sounds at that time would be a common scenario.
Damaged Exhaust
When the engine is cold, you might make a clicking noise. Here the main reason is the damaged exhaust manifold. When your exhaust manifold goes wrong or broken, the broken bolts allow the cold manifold to create such noise. It can happen in both winter and any other season.
Another sign of a bad exhaust manifold would be lower fuel efficiency. If you get the clicking noise and get less mileage, you should check the exhaust manifold. There must be wrong with this engine part.
Damaged Cylinder Head
The Damaged cylinder head might create the clicking engine noise. The air and fuel mixture is mainly burnt in a particular cylinder, which must happen separately. If the detonation happens more than one cylinder at a time, it will create a clicking noise.
If you ever hear such a sound, you must check the cylinder head and see if it’s in good condition. Otherwise, the engine won’t perform like before.
Noisy Valve Train
This engine part is supposed to control the opening and closing of the valve at the right time. However, this engine part might be broken after serving you for 200k miles or more. In that case, the valve spring will create the sound. Even the camshaft might create a clicking or ticking sound.
For all these reasons, the Jeep wrangler makes a clicking noise when accelerating.
Solutions for Jeep Wrangler Clicking Noise While Driving/Accelerating/Idling
It doesn’t matter if you’re making the clicking noise while driving, accelerating, or idling. Whenever you get that noise, you must inspect the damaged area. Only then you can go for the possible solution. So, you need to go for a regular inspection and try to find the reason or the source from where it comes.
Here, I’ll show you the four best solutions for all the above problems. Hopefully, you’ll get the best solution from them. Let’s start fixing the clicking or ticking engine sound.
Repair The Cylinder Head
First, if you inspect the engine and get a sound exhaust system, you should check the cylinder head and valvetrain. If the valvetrain spring is broken or the head gasket is damaged, you should replace that. Or you can go to a garage and ask the mechanic to repair the damaged cylinder head.
Enough Oil & Pressure
Since the low engine pressure and lack of engine fuel are other reasons for getting a clicking or ticking noise, you should always check the fuel level. You should refill the fuel tank if there is a low fuel level. Sometimes, you need to refill the engine fuel tank.
Tighten Castle Nut
This solution is for all the nuts and bolts of your engine. Since the castle nut might get loosened, and the user claims to solve the engine clicking sound by tightening that, I include it here. However, you’ll get some loose nuts and bolts. Maybe they are broken or getting damaged; in that case, you need to replace them.
Get a Sound Ignition & Exhaust
Both the ignition system and the exhaust manifold are responsible for creating the clicking or ticking engine noise. In that case, you need to repair the ignition system spark plug and change the exhaust manifold. Please repair the exhaust system.
If the above solution doesn’t work, and you already drive it for 200k+ miles, you should consider changing it. Therefore, the Jeep wrangler 3.8L engine replacement cost article might help you.
Why I Get Jeep Wrangler Clicking Noise When Accelerating from Stop?
The worn hydraulic lifters, gasket leak, and the above reasons are for making the Jeep wrangler clicking noise when accelerating from stop. First, you should check the exhaust manifold head gasket and inspect it well. It may need an immediate change.
Otherwise, you need to check the hydraulic lifters and find out the damaged or broken lifters, if it has any. Only then you can solve the problem.
Reasons for Jeep Wrangler Ticking Noise While Idling
Metal-to-metal sound is something that ultimately creates the ticking sound. So, if you ever find the Jeep Wrangler ticking noise while idling, you must check the cylinder head. A series of lifters work there. Over time, these metals might get worn out, and you get the ticking sound of idling.
Reasons for Wrangler Ticking Noise when Accelerating
The ticking and clicking sound is similar, but the ticking sound is slightly different. It happens if there is any worn-out metal. Especially the leaks on the exhaust manifold and worn-out lifters might create the Jeep Wrangler ticking noise when accelerating. You get the ticking sound of the damaged or decayed lifters whenever you press on the accelerator.
To know about the critical differences between the 3.8L and 3.6l jeep Wrangler engines, consider reading that article.
People Also Asked
What’s The Main Reason for Getting Clicking Engine Sound?
Lack of fuel oil pressure and damaged exhaust are the main reasons for getting a clicking engine sound. If you ever get this noise, you must consider replacing the damaged part or refilling the fuel tank.
Why Does The Engine Give Ticking Sound While Accelerating?
When accelerating, your engine might create a ticking noise for three reasons. There might be a lack of fuel pressure, damaged or broken lifters, and leaks on the exhaust manifold.
Can I Drive with Clicking Engine Sound?
Yes, driving with a clicking and ticking noise is fine unless the exhaust manifold is damaged and gets many leaks. It’s always a good idea to check the engine and find its reason.
Is Engine Clicking Sound Dangerous?
In a sense, the Jeep JK clicking noise when accelerating is not that dangerous. Still, you should inspect the exhaust manifold lifters and other areas to find out why and repair that as soon as possible.
Closing Words
The Jeep Wrangler Engine Clicking noise while driving is a common issue that jeep users face. You get a damaged exhaust manifold, low fuel pressure and level, and other issues. Even the worn-out lifters can give you the engine clicking noise anytime.
You must take it seriously whenever you hear such noise and repair the damaged part soon. All nuts and bolts must be checked and tightened to eliminate the clicking and ticking noise.
