I have a 2000 Grand Cherokee. Took it to dealer and was told that it is normal for this type of motor?

No matter which engine you have the ticking can be normal, mainly because the oil wasn't changed on a regular basis and the wrong filter is on it. Now Fram is a good filter but for some reason doesn't seem to like jeep engines, also you can get a little carbon build up in the lifters too

My suggestion is to change the oil and use 10w-30. go to the dealer and get a factory oil filter and for good measure put some engine oil supplement in the crank case, like stp, but make sure it states it fights carbon build up. Drive it for 3 days and if the noise doesn't go away then you have a mechanical problem and take it back and insist they prove there is nothing wrong. Just say "ok you are so right prove it" And if they say well the manufacture said so, then ask them " fine lets see it in print"

Hope this helps Good Luck

What you hear is lifter noise, its pretty normal. At start up there is no oil in the top end of the engine so the unlubricated valve system will make noise until the oil can reach it. The valves may or may not need adjusting, Hydraulic lifters require oil pressure to take up the slack and if the noise does not persist after oil pressure is obtained then most likely not. Some oil treatment and more frequent oil changes may make the tick stop completely.

Also tick sometimes means that you have a spark plug wire that's not hooked up properly or has burned through to another piece of metal. Do a visual check on them.

Had a slight tick noise in my 2000 WJ when I bought it.

Progressively got worse,..much worse. To the point where gas

attendents would say to my wife "Do you know somethings wrong with your car?" I too was told this was a lifter problem. Now I am in the process of doing a head gasket job on it. While I'm in there I'm checking those lifters.

I must add the car ran great,..no loss of power etc,...Just very loud annoying TIC,TIC,TIC.

if you have a warranty take it to them all they can say is NO lol. But realy if its not a knock just a tick its normal for a lifter to tick at start. But again why not take it in and see if they will fix it if its FREE

If you have the 4.0L the valve train is noisy on those engines! But hey they do last forever so I wouldn't worry about it. If the car starts feeling under powered or is lagging then bring it back.

probably just have a valve sticking. Use a heavier weight oil with a little more detergent in it, this should help with your tick.