2002 jeep liberty makes really loud tapping noise?

[ddoddington2]

the noise started like a low tapping and over the last few months it is really loud. It causes the Jeep to drive slowly and acceleration is very slow to almost none when on highway.
It has a 3.7 and I checked half of the valves and everything was very clean.
Do not know if I can check the heads on my own, so I just want to do what I can before taking it to a shop to get robbed. Am not driving it at this time.

 

[Bubba B]

Sounds like it's something in the valve train. I would guess it is a lifter.

 

[Bob D]

time for new heads. keep driving it and the engine will blow

 

[jeepster]

What size engine do you have? It could be a few things it could be a Hydraulic lifter,Bent valve hitting the piston top,Rod bearing

 

[jeepster]

What size engine do you have? It could be a few things it could be a Hydraulic lifter,Bent valve hitting the piston top,Rod bearing