Has a ticking wen u first crank?

2014 JEEP WRANGLER
3.6L • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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ROBERT_1
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  • 3 POSTS
When I first start it up it has a ticking sound then once the engine gets warm enough it goes away and when I check ed underneath the front while the engine is running it looks like the big pulley towards the bottom of the engine has a little bit of a shake to it
Nov 4, 2026 at 4:58 PM
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STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,684 POSTS
We will need a short video of the engine while it is making the noise. It sounds like the front pulley might be loose so check that first. You might want to check the engine oil level and you might want to remove the drive belt and then start the engine for a moment to see if the noise is gone, this will let us know that the problem is in the accessories like a broken bracket.
Nov 5, 2026 at 10:10 AM
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STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,401 POSTS
Video with a good audio track up close to the valve covers will help. However the 3.6 has a known bad habit of rocker arm failures from the rollers failing. Usually it starts with a light ticking at start up, then it starts ticking all the time until you get a misfire or worse. Catch it early enough and you may be able to just replace the rocker arm and not need a cam.

For a lot more information you might try a friends site David at MotorCityMechanic on YT.
He covers the issues with the 3.6 and more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIzJiKLjGt0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkrwxVVcjsg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUIQuwnYqbs
Nov 5, 2026 at 12:01 PM
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