Knock/rattle After Rocker Gasket Change

I recently changed the rocker cover gasket on 59 CJ5. Disassembled, cleaned off old gasket, added new, and reassembled.

I started it for the first time today and there was a new noise coming from the engine (I think). Sounds like a knock or a rattle.

Here is a video that hopefully captures the sound:

I also changed the front differential fluid and did an oil change. Can you tell what the noise is? What could I have done to cause this?

Thanks for taking a look/listen!

 

Double check everything on the oil change!

 

I'ld take the cover back off and check all the rods are where they go.

 

What else did you do??

"New" noise since when?

 

I was waiting on some parts when I did the gasket chain, oil change, and front diff refill. So it was about a week since I ran it last until today when I heard the noise.

 

Thank you, that's what I'm worried about a little bit. I had to put the cover back on at an angle to get under the heater hose and may have moved something. Will it be obvious if something is out of place under there?

 

It sounds like something trying to clearance the valve cover.

 

Thank you--that's what it sounds like in person. I put my hand on the cover but it was hard to tell. It sounds like tomorrow I just need to open that up and see if things look off.

 

Hard to picture what could have moved, just by changing the gasket.

Use a stethoscope, or a wood dowel or screwdriver to your ear, and it will tell you very precisely the location of the knock. (Beware any moving parts!)

 

I thought the same. Could be a thinner gasket or no gasket with sealer.

 

How is the oil pressure? Checked the dipstick level?

 

Did the sound start immediately after startup? Or did it take a little while to start once warmed up?
I'm gonna ask some really dumb questions to get em out of the way.... Bear with me:

Did you account for all your tools when you were finished? Any chance you left a tool hanging out under the rocker cover or down in the engine bay?
When you removed/installed the cover, did you bang it on/push against/or bend the rocker arm assy by any chance?
Did you tighten the oil dipstick cap after reinstalling?
Did you overtighten the nuts that hold the rocker cover?

At this point, there may be marks on the cover itself if theres something tapping it consistently. Its super easy to remove to look at. I Also noticed what looks like permatex blobbing out from there. With rubber or cork gaskets, you shouldn't need to use gasket maker.

 

Yes, sorry I didn't phrase it well. This was the first time it ran since the gasket change.

 

Dipstick level was initially low, but I turned it off and added more. Unfortunately, I don't have a way to check the oil pressure immediately.

 

Thank you! I appreciate the dumb questions, that's what I need.

• I think I have all the tools, but it is possible. I can't imagine what I would have left inside, but maybe something fell in the bay.
  
• The bang/push stands out to me. I put the cover on at an angle because I did not take off the heater hose or throttle cable. I'm wondering if by doing so (rather than dropping straight on) I pushed something that shouldn't be.
  
• I tightened the dipstick.
  
• I'm not sure on the rocker nuts. I have the rubber washers so I tightened until they were a little bit compressed.

This morning I'm going to go down and remove the cover. I read so many different opinions on permatex with the gasket. I did end up using it with a cork gasket. Could this be causing the issue?

Thanks again!

 

Some updates from this morning. I got the cover off and don't really see any noticeable marks. Here are some images:

A few observations though

• definitely went overboard with the liquid gasket
  
• I added oil after I heard the noise; after sitting overnight the dipstick shows about 1/2 full. I have put ~3qts in so far. With the oil change, I tried to do it at the same time as the gasket, so the jeep wasn't warmed up. I'm wondering if oil isn't flowing correctly, or hasn't had time to. The area under the gasket cover does not look like it has gotten clean oil.

Thanks again for everyone who has taken a look. Maybe you will see something I don't.

If I can't figure it out, is this safe to drive 1 mile to a shop? Or will that do damage? If I can figure it out, can I reuse the gasket?

 

HALF full on the dipstick? Three quarts is not enough, it should take four, maybe five quarts if you changed the filter. This is vital!!!

I fear it is not getting oil to the bearings. If so, driving it would be a big mistake.

Get out and get under. Listen to the bottom end. The stethoscope trick would've told you in a minute where the noise is coming from.

 

I did change the filter. Is it worthwhile/safe to add another quart of oil and let it run for a while? Then I could try to use a dowel to replicate the stethoscope if it persists.

 

I would not do anything all until you have the right viscosity oil to the FULL mark on the dipstick.