Can’t figure out ticking/knocking.
JK Newbie
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Tuskegee, AL
So I and getting the ticking sound on my 2015 Rubicon and assume I need to replace at least one of rockers. My question is are the MOPAR rockers and upgrade from the original or am are they going to suffer the same fate??
JK Jedi
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 2,089
From: Willow Park, TX
They are all a crapshoot. The engine design is the flaw IMO
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 19
Likes: 3
From: Missouri
Without hearing, I had the same issue. What happens is that the oil drains back down and when you cold start it, it has to build back up and eventually "fills" the worn out roller bearing. You can try adding Lucas, or any oil additive if you want. It could help but eventually you will have get new lifters and rockers for it. Its a job and a half to do yourself but, as long as you have all the right tools, patience and know-how it can be done.
JK Jedi
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 2,089
From: Willow Park, TX
I don't disagree at all with that assessment, or that oil additives can help, but the real issue is that ticking is due to bad bearings in one of the rocker arms. I have never, in any application, seen a case where a bad bearing became seriveable again......it's just a 1-way street when a bearing starts to go. Even if an additive quieted things down a bit, that bearing still has play and is not operating as it should. 
The thing that really sux is that it just takes 1 of those dumb rocker arms to fail. That is all it was in my case. Still replaced everything, but it was 1 single rocker. 
As I mentioned in someone else's post yesterday, the risk you run if you just let it go on is that bad rocker will end up scaring that camshaft lobe and you'll get to buy a new $395 camshaft on top of it all. Just a little more salt in the wound.
**I will say that on cold start, this engine is always just loud for a split second due to what Newt described above.....but anything past that initial startup......you shouldn't be ticking to the point a novice would say "what's that ticking sound?"
The thing that really sux is that it just takes 1 of those dumb rocker arms to fail. That is all it was in my case. Still replaced everything, but it was 1 single rocker. As I mentioned in someone else's post yesterday, the risk you run if you just let it go on is that bad rocker will end up scaring that camshaft lobe and you'll get to buy a new $395 camshaft on top of it all. Just a little more salt in the wound.**I will say that on cold start, this engine is always just loud for a split second due to what Newt described above.....but anything past that initial startup......you shouldn't be ticking to the point a novice would say "what's that ticking sound?"
Last edited by resharp001; Feb 23, 2023 at 05:45 AM.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 19
Likes: 3
From: Missouri
I don't disagree at all with that assessment, or that oil additives can help, but the real issue is that ticking is due to bad bearings in one of the rocker arms. I have never, in any application, seen a case where a bad bearing became seriveable again......it's just a 1-way street when a bearing starts to go. Even if an additive quieted things down a bit, that bearing still has play and is not operating as it should. The thing that really sux is that it just takes 1 of those dumb rocker arms to fail. That is all it was in my case. Still replaced everything, but it was 1 single rocker. As I mentioned in someone else's post yesterday, the risk you run if you just let it go on is that bad rocker will end up scaring that camshaft lobe and you'll get to buy a new $395 camshaft on top of it all. Just a little more salt in the wound.
The thing that really sux is that it just takes 1 of those dumb rocker arms to fail. That is all it was in my case. Still replaced everything, but it was 1 single rocker. As I mentioned in someone else's post yesterday, the risk you run if you just let it go on is that bad rocker will end up scaring that camshaft lobe and you'll get to buy a new $395 camshaft on top of it all. Just a little more salt in the wound.
JK Jedi
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 11,360
Likes: 2,089
From: Willow Park, TX
Oh, absolutely, and my money is on the back exhaust on the passenger side (bank 2 cylinder 3). I went down that path just a few weeks ago and my jeep torn apart and replaced every lifter and rocker arm. I was just mentioning that although oil additives may quite it down, it doesn't fix it. You catch quick enough, it won't score the cam lobe.
