piston slap question
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
piston slap question
I found a c5 with low miles that is extremely clean the problem is it has piston slap when the engine is cold it sounds like a desil, once the engine warms up it is completely gone would most walk away or still consider buying ? I have read this is very common with the ls1 . This car is clean as a whistle 35k miles looks showroom new
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
Well my thought is what happens when you decide to sell this car with the piston slap...its gonna scare away alot of potential buyers.(it would scare me off!) For this reason alone I would pass. On the topic of piston slap it is common but by no means acceptable. Find another or knock off $5G's for a fix down the road. ( My2 cents), Rob
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,062
Likes: 1,838
From: cookeville tennessee
I found a c5 with low miles that is extremely clean the problem is it has piston slap when the engine is cold it sounds like a desil, once the engine warms up it is completely gone would most walk away or still consider buying ? I have read this is very common with the ls1 . This car is clean as a whistle 35k miles looks showroom new
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Clinton Ia
I bought an SS camaro and when I test drove it, it was warm because I met the guy half way. After buying the car it was a bit of a surprise the first time I started it up. I was pissed because the guy didn't mention it, but after doing some research it is a pretty common issue. I never really felt right about selling it so I traded it in. Now its the first thing I listen for, lol. I guess for me it was more the issue when selling it and explaining it to people. Now I have a cammed c5 and the valve train is noisy and I've just decided to get over it!!!
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,113
Likes: 669
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Slap me hard !
There's really no great way to deal with piston slap. A lot of guys here can guide you through using a can of sea-foam in an effort to remove the carbon build-up. But way back when these corvettes were built, the pistons were silicon coated just in case the engine developed "piston Slap. It really isn't a big deal so long as the ticking noise doesn't bother you. Personally I can't remember if I ever heard a LSX that didn't have piston slap to some degree ! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
I am the original owner of a 2002 with 74K on the clock. The piston slap started a few years ago and was told by more than one Chevy tech that this is normal for LS1 motors and poses no harm to reliabilty or longevity. The ticking noise is worse during the colder months than in the summer time. I let my car idle for about a minute or two before putting it in gear and the noise dissapears. If I'm in a rush then the noise will go away after driving for 15-30 seconds. I maintain my car very well and have it checked over thoroughly at every service interval and the car is solid, no leaks and does not burn any oil. If you can find a C5 without the piston slap then great, I think you'll find most of them will have it and as long as the car checks out after an inspection then I wouldnt worry about it. I speak from personal experience, but you do what your comfortable with and good luck with whatever you decide!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 2
From: Harrisburg Pa.
it is what it is.
