04 4.0 intermetent lifter tick with rough running.

[hulkmn069]

I'm a little stumped with this one. The motor has 103k and for 98% of the time it runs flawlessly. For the other 2% a lifter makes noise, runs rough while making the noise, and then stops making noise and carries on as normal. I've pulled the valve cover to look for any obvious tells. (thought a spring was the culprit at first) but everything was pumping oil and moving as necessary at least as far as i could see. when it makes the tick it's the #1 cyl i've isolated it that far and the tick is intermitent wich is what is the odd part. New oil usually equals no tick for a few weeks. Also it gets worse after i've done a longer than average drive. I was under the impression that when the lifters start to go it'd make the noise consistently. There is absoloutely no consistency with this at all. I'd also expect it not to pump much oil but it pumps lots of oil even when making the noise. Since the oil is there and it doesn't make the noise all the time do i have to worry about it now. I really don't want to pull the head. Or should I take care of it sooner than later.
Thanks

[dornier34]

Try to check the adjust in the valve get a gage and check the tolerance in the valve . Do this turning the crankshaft and from the cylinder #1 then go the next according the fairing order but do this with engine cold . after that get the engine flush and do this treatment to release the gunk in the ports for the oil lubrication good luck let me know how this goes. Byron

[fredjacksonsan]

hulkmn069, I've got a similar issue with my '04 4.0 (90k miles). When it's hot outside (I see you live in FL) I get more of a tick. I've reduced it by letting the vehicle idle for about 30 secs before turning it off. My theory is that letting it idle pumps cooler oil into or around the lifters. Next oil change I'll be going from 10w30 to a 0w30 oil, which will pump much easier at startup, getting oil everywhere faster.

Similarly, with fresh oil it seems to happen less for me. After doing a bunch of searching online, I understand that the lifter issue is common with the 4.0, and usually doesn't hurt anything. I first got the lifter noise when I was trying to extend my oil change interval with synthetic, so I think with this engine at least, fresh oil is the key.

The rough running I haven't experienced unless my spark plugs had over 30k on them, so if you haven't replaced them for awhile that could help.