Jeep Gladiator faint ticking from left side exhaust at idle

[MagnusWolf]

I have a new 2021 gladiator with 1700 miles, I've noticed at operating temp at idle there is a faint pulsing ticking noise coming from under the truck on the left side, you can hear it if you stick your head in the fender well. Using a stethoscope I found that the ticking is loudest at the left side catalytic converter and egr cooler. It doesn't sound abnormal but wondering if anyone else has the same noise. I know in the past these engines had rocker issues but the truck is still new. Any input would be appreciated.

Sponsored

 

[calipoontappa]

Lol they couldn’t figure it out at the dealer…replaced my engine and the new engine did it too…asked them about it and now they say that it’s normal. JeepCares said to try another dealer…second dealer closest to me it behind 6 weeks so I guess we’ll see in 5 more weeks…

 

[MagnusWolf]

Lol they couldn’t figure it out at the dealer…replaced my engine and the new engine did it too…asked them about it and now they say that it’s normal. JeepCares said to try another dealer…second dealer closest to me it behind 6 weeks so I guess we’ll see in 5 more weeks…

The only thing I can think of is the way the exhaust is designed is causing exhaust gases to pulse through the EGR cooler making it do a slight ticking noise. I spoke with the head tech at the dealer and he confirmed my theory, he said the hemi engines do something similar because of the exhaust design. I am also a technician for Toyota and the new Tacomas have the manifold integrated into the head with a 4 bolt cat and make a similar ticking noise. So I guess it's normal.

 

[MagnusWolf]

I also went on their new car lot and listened to another gladiator and it did the same thing.

 

[Derby]

My 2021 Gladiator (with the gas V6) ticks also. My wife's Grand Cherokee has the same engine and it doesn't so I was concerned. The video below describes a worst case scenario.

 

[Mjolnir]

My 2021 Gladiator (with the gas V6) ticks also. My wife's Grand Cherokee has the same engine and it doesn't so I was concerned. The video below describes a worst case scenario.

That is called the pentastar tick. it is normal unless extremely loud.

 

[MagnusWolf]

That repair is for failing rocker arms and lifters, if that was the case you will hear a louder clacking type noise from the valve covers. Also the new JL and JT uses a new two stage rocker arms on the intake valves to have variable valve lift. The ticking I'm hearing is coming from the left side fender well because the EGR cooler is resonating exhaust ticks. Another new Gladiator on the lot was doing the same thing.

 

[MagnusWolf]

You are probably not going to hear it on the grand Cherokee because it has thicker fenders and more sound insulation.

 

[JCHGlad]

It’s normal

 

[MagnusWolf]

Thanks for everyone's input, I didn't really think there was an issue but it is better to check and make sure things are working properly and not let a potential problem grow into something worse.

 

[seven30]

That is called the pentastar tick. it is normal unless extremely loud.

I was cleaning up my shop and came across my failed Gladiator cam. It has a cast RT so Im assuming it was the right side. In the video above, although not variable lift it does illustrate one key issue. Take a close look at the failed lobe and lifter fulcrum. The lobe engages the rocker opposite from the fulcrum. On the exhaust cam and left bank intake the lobe engages rocker near fulcrum.
There are substantially different dynamics between the two situations. In my case every single highlift lobe was destroyed in the right intake. Low lift roller lobes were fine. Mine failed at 70K right out of warranty. Whats slightly unique is my truck is used at 8000 feet and its a 6spd MT. So it gets spun up past 5000 rpm on a regular basis. FCA appears to have NOT re-tuned the 3.6 for the MT so at altitude its just a dog below 4000 and with the 6spd spacing has to be spun up to stay on power band.(Mountains!) Not my design. Sadly it appears the RT side cam is marginal under such conditions.

Ive owned many vehicles since my first 1954 Desoto in 67. In all that time only one engine failure due to plastic bag blocking radiator while boxed in on I30 years ago. My son had the 5.7hemi cam lifter issue and now I have a cam failure. Notice a pattern here. There will be no Jeep opportunity for a third. We are done after this round.

Sponsored