So I have a 2000 with the 4.0 v8 and had the coolant distribution pipe blow apart about a month ago. Car died, restarted and pulled into nearest parking lot and had it towed home. Replaced pipe and ever since the engine makes a ticking noise at low rpms. Sounds like it's coming from the top of the engine closer to the firewall. Sounds goes away at higher rpms. Engine seems to run fine. What could this be? When the pipe blew it covered the whole top of engine in coolant, also lost alternator about a week later.

Thanks

 

That pipe is nothing but repair on the way. Plastic junk. Did you try and change the oil and check the water pump for any distortion? Other than a burnt valve or camshaft bearing, I don't know. Maybe a stethascope would pinpoint the tick a little better.

 

Also, have you changed the chain tensioners and related parts? If not your engine is due to die...

 

Have not checked water pump, not sure how to do this. Open the fill cap and can see coolant flow and have no temp issues. Car has right at 100k miles on it and has been running perfect up till the pipe burst and the noise started immediately after.

 

As always if you have the 4.0L V-8 it's a ticking time bomb unless you have replaced ALL the timing tensioners.

Do you know if they have been replaced?
Sometimes they only do the easy to get at uppers. This will not work and is only enough to pass the car on to someone else!
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I have no clue if the tensioners have been replaced. Purchased car used with no history. Could this be related to the blown pipe or just a coincidence? Most likely cause? Any write ups on how to check and/or replace? Thanks

 

They are almost certainly NOT the good ones. Use Search to read all about them.

 

Yes we have several good write ups and you can DIY BUT it is a big job.

Hopefully Abono? will jump in because he has done it. He just sold his with over 250K miles so he may not be watching the list as closely as before.
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Hi guys, yeah I'm still lurking around the forums, lol.

Yes, fully agree with JagV8 - pop off the passenger side cam cover (easier than drivers side) look at secondary tensioner. If you see orange or brown bits off the tensioner you have the ones prone to breaking at the worst time.

Regarding you're cooling issue I for one would invest in changing the following:

Thermostat housing to aluminum version
Thermostat
Cross over pipe
Water pump

The above items can only withstand so much and with overheating these parts are either stressed or beyond their service life, especially that plastic cross over pipe.

PS - Unless your extremely DIY let someone tackle those tensioners, guides, etc. You need specialized tools and it's not for the faint of heart.