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Ticking noise from the exhaust manifold

Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L Pentastar · 2013

A ticking or tapping sound from the engine bay, loudest cold and fading as the engine warms, is a well-known Pentastar V6 trait caused by exhaust manifold bolts loosening or the manifold itself cracking from repeated heat cycling. Early on this is mostly a noise complaint, not a safety issue, but an exhaust leak that close to the oxygen sensors can eventually throw false codes and get worse rather than better on its own. Retorquing or replacing the manifold and bolts is the standard fix, and it is worth doing before the leak grows large enough to affect sensor readings.