Piston slap/lifter noise?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 13
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Piston slap/lifter noise?
I have a 2002 w LT1. It has 13000mi on it.On starting with engine cold,it sounds like it has a sticking lifter. Sound disappears when warmed up.Dealer replaced an O ring on dist.drive according to some "service bulletin" No help! Dealer and an independent mech. recommended to me by Diablo Corvette club say it's probably piston slap. Help!! Sal
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by sal caruso
I have a 2002 w LT1. It has 13000mi on it.On starting with engine cold,it sounds like it has a sticking lifter. Sound disappears when warmed up.Dealer replaced an O ring on dist.drive according to some "service bulletin" No help! Dealer and an independent mech. recommended to me by Diablo Corvette club say it's probably piston slap. Help!! Sal
If its a 2002 you have an LS1. Ask this question in C5 Tech.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,088
Likes: 1,829
From: Metro Detroit Michigan
My 2000 has had piston slap when cold since new.
Took it to the dealer, and or course, they claimed they didn't hear anything.
Before I left, one of the techs slipped me a service bulletin where GM claims this noise is normal.
If it's normal, then why doesn't it make noise on all 8, instead of just one cylinder?
I gave up on getting it fixed, thinking a teardown would probably create more problems than it would fix.
It's been a chronic problem with GM engines, according to a friend who tears down warranty returns at GM.
Noise hasn't gotten any worse in 25 thousand miles though.
Took it to the dealer, and or course, they claimed they didn't hear anything.
Before I left, one of the techs slipped me a service bulletin where GM claims this noise is normal.
If it's normal, then why doesn't it make noise on all 8, instead of just one cylinder?
I gave up on getting it fixed, thinking a teardown would probably create more problems than it would fix.
It's been a chronic problem with GM engines, according to a friend who tears down warranty returns at GM.
Noise hasn't gotten any worse in 25 thousand miles though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,772
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
Originally Posted by Warp Factor
My 2000 has had piston slap when cold since new.
Took it to the dealer, and or course, they claimed they didn't hear anything.
Before I left, one of the techs slipped me a service bulletin where GM claims this noise is normal.
If it's normal, then why doesn't it make noise on all 8, instead of just one cylinder?
I gave up on getting it fixed, thinking a teardown would probably create more problems than it would fix.
It's been a chronic problem with GM engines, according to a friend who tears down warranty returns at GM.
Noise hasn't gotten any worse in 25 thousand miles though.
Took it to the dealer, and or course, they claimed they didn't hear anything.
Before I left, one of the techs slipped me a service bulletin where GM claims this noise is normal.
If it's normal, then why doesn't it make noise on all 8, instead of just one cylinder?
I gave up on getting it fixed, thinking a teardown would probably create more problems than it would fix.
It's been a chronic problem with GM engines, according to a friend who tears down warranty returns at GM.
Noise hasn't gotten any worse in 25 thousand miles though.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
Originally Posted by Neablas
gm changed the rings after many complained of piston slap .. my '03 has it too when cold but it goes away after a warm up. So apparently it's not damaging the engine, as long as it goes away after warm up.
Are you sure you are not thinking of the 2001 oil consumption issue?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by FRCTony
How does changing rings cure piston slap?
Are you sure you are not thinking of the 2001 oil consumption issue?
Are you sure you are not thinking of the 2001 oil consumption issue?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
From: herminston oregon
piston slap
Originally Posted by sal caruso
I have a 2002 w LT1. It has 13000mi on it.On starting with engine cold,it sounds like it has a sticking lifter. Sound disappears when warmed up.Dealer replaced an O ring on dist.drive according to some "service bulletin" No help! Dealer and an independent mech. recommended to me by Diablo Corvette club say it's probably piston slap. Help!! Sal
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,772
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
Originally Posted by FRCTony
How does changing rings cure piston slap?
Are you sure you are not thinking of the 2001 oil consumption issue?
Are you sure you are not thinking of the 2001 oil consumption issue?
Originally Posted by www.pistonslap.com/whatisit.htm
GM piston slap engine defect, the piston design with hypereutectic (high silicon content aluminum alloy) pistons, reduced or eliminated piston skirts (to reduce reciprocating mass), and a higher ring pack to reduce unburned fuel mixture on the sides of the piston crown have made piston to cylinder bore fit much more critical.
I could be wrong .. its been a while.
edit: after thinking for a minute .. maybe the better rings created a better seal and more throughly oiled the walls which reduced wear and the noise of piston slap? .. again it's been a while.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
In March of 01, they went to the new coated pistons. It may be a couple of things. Mine ticked on cold startup, and I changed to a different filter and the problem went away. What oil filter are you using?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 1
From: Foresters Falls(near Ottawa) Ont
Originally Posted by Warp Factor
My 2000 has had piston slap when cold since new.
Took it to the dealer, and or course, they claimed they didn't hear anything.
Before I left, one of the techs slipped me a service bulletin where GM claims this noise is normal.
If it's normal, then why doesn't it make noise on all 8, instead of just one cylinder?
I gave up on getting it fixed, thinking a teardown would probably create more problems than it would fix.
It's been a chronic problem with GM engines, according to a friend who tears down warranty returns at GM.
Noise hasn't gotten any worse in 25 thousand miles though.
Took it to the dealer, and or course, they claimed they didn't hear anything.
Before I left, one of the techs slipped me a service bulletin where GM claims this noise is normal.
If it's normal, then why doesn't it make noise on all 8, instead of just one cylinder?
I gave up on getting it fixed, thinking a teardown would probably create more problems than it would fix.
It's been a chronic problem with GM engines, according to a friend who tears down warranty returns at GM.
Noise hasn't gotten any worse in 25 thousand miles though.
My 01 is the same, I live with it. Not a big issue with me.RonJ ...
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
From: Mendota Heights MN
My 99 had the same noise when I bought it this year. When I complained to the dealer, they agreed it was lifter noise. Fortunately, I purchased the GMPP.
The dealer pulled the heads and put in new lifters (a lifter "kit" was called out on the service ticket). Now the car is silent when cold started.
I suspect there maybe a known fix that some dealers would rather not do, and they point to the service bulletin as proof that it's normal.
The dealer pulled the heads and put in new lifters (a lifter "kit" was called out on the service ticket). Now the car is silent when cold started.
I suspect there maybe a known fix that some dealers would rather not do, and they point to the service bulletin as proof that it's normal.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 675
Likes: 14
From: RI
From my experience with GM cars I believe they used a teflon ring or sleeve which upon warming up expands and the noise goes away. I buy a lot of GM cars with the 3.1 and 3.4 motors and 8 out of 10 have that noise when started cold. Oh and by the way the dealership I work for has confirmed that there is service bulletin out on it but GM says it is a customer annoynance issue to avoid a recall.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: IL
We have a 2000 and a 2001, and both make a lot of knocking and ticking sounds when cold. After warming up, noises go away. Neither one burns any oil (both automatics) and run great. I have learned to just accept that this is normal for the LS1 engine.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 537
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From: NorCAL Live your passion--why wait, you ain't getting any younger
Originally Posted by Prosecutor
What is CD-2? Thanks.
All signs seem to point to an oil additive.
3-4 Products with the CD-2 Brand Name
I have the same symptoms. Cold start ticking and then disappears within 4-5 min.
I have learned that this cold-start clacking gets worse with the oil wear, so when it clacks too much----time for an oil change!
Its also worse when cold starting on an uneven surface and the rear-end is lower than the front-end.
Last edited by budman_2001; Nov 11, 2005 at 09:06 PM.
