My 04 is suffering from Piston Slap. The problem is getting worse now the car has just over 15k miles. Click here to see and hear a 4 minute video.

http://videos.camaroz28.com/Player.a...5-6A747BAAE4EB



I also found this bit of info....Too bad I can't simply drop in a new LS7 and be done with it.

LS7 7.0 L LS7 engine in a 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

The LS7 is the latest high-power LS engine. It is a 7.0 L (427.6 ci) unit, based loosely on the LS2. The block is changed, with a larger 4.13 in (104.9 mm) bore and longer 4.00 in (101.6 mm) stroke than the LS2. The small-block's 4.4 in (111.8 mm) bore spacing is retained, requiring pressed-in cylinder liners. The crankshaft, and main bearing caps are forged steel for durability, the connecting rods are titanium, however cast pistons were retained to avoid the piston slap issues that forged pistons have on startup. The two-valve arrangement is retained, though the titanium intake valves have grown to 2.20 in (55.9 mm) and sodium-filled exhaust valves are up to 1.61 in (40.9 mm). Peak output is 505 hp (377 kW) at 6300 rpm and 470 ft·lbf (637 N·m) at 4800 rpm with a 7000 rpm redline.

The LS7 is hand-built by the General Motors Performance Build Center in Wixom, Michigan. Up to 15,000 LS7s will be produced each year starting in 2005. Most of these engines are installed in the Z06, but some are also sold to individuals by GM as a crate engine.

 

damn...is your warranty still good? if so- that needs to be fixed asap. it will lead to major damage.

 

Does it quiet down after the engine reaches the fully operating temperature?
Dan

 

The problem was noted twice with two different local dealers. The car currently has just over 15k miles, but GM has refused to repair the problem. One local dealer asked me to NEVER return to HIS shop! He told me I wasn't welcome back. That dealer is Whitlow Chevrolet of Richmond, VA. GM did offer an extended warrantee, but is was nothing more than a letter with my name and a promise to repair only certain levels of repair for a limit of 60k miles and 5 years.

If anyone knows an inside track on how to have this problem repaired without jump through hoops, please let me know. Thanks

 

damn richmond va, what a ****hole. there is a dealership in nova that is good with repairs and warranty work. i have no idea what the name is thou as all my work is done in my lil old garage.

 

The noise does settle down after the engine reaches normal operating temps, most of the time. Problem is it's getting worse with time and miles.

 

it's that initial knocking that will destroy ur internals. have you tried the regional forums to ask which dealerships are recommended?

 

and you may have to go over the dealership's head to get it done. Piston slap is one thing but a "knock" is another. if it's the dealereship you bought it from told you not to return,report them to the BBB..

 

Damn,, you got the DIESEL C5 OPTION and didn't even know it!! That a REAL RARE car,, I would hang on to that one!!!

Why would a service adviser ask you to never come back to his shop???

That sounds really weird.

I would take the car to another dealer and get it diagnosed and the problem documented. If they fail to correct the problem or have issues with the validity of the repair,,, get a hold of GM Customer Assistance and file a claim ASAP!! Believe me,,,they will follow up,on it!!

Be a PEST!!! The squeaky wheel gets the right service and the NEW ENGINE!!! My knuckles are still bloody over trying to get my EBTCM Failure fixed when my car was 28 days out of the 3/36 GM warranty. I got it fixed but wow,, it was a LOT of fighting and took a while!!
(6 MONTHS!!!).

Do you have any Mods that would have effected the decision???

If you want to drive to CT, I can hook you up with a Corvette Knowledgeable and MOD friendly service department!!

Hope it all works out for you!

Bill Curlee

 

I was also told (" NEVER return to HIS shop! He told me I wasn't welcome back") that by a dealer in the NO area.. SO I found a new dealer and the owner sponsors our Corvette Club. I also plan to my my C6 (when ever I finish repairing Katrina damage) from the sponsor. It is truly amazing that dealers in a company that is no longer #1 in the US can make such statements. No wonder foreign companies are in #1 position. 99 Corvette

 

I'd like to hear what it sounds like after it was fully warmed up. I think all LSx engines make some slight cold piston slap noises when first started ... my 02 Z06 does, but it goes away after about 5 min and seems relatively quiet once warmed up.

Yours does sound pretty excessive. Wonder is there could be other issues, like valve train problems?

You could always go blow it up under warranty.

 

Just hold the motor at redline until it blows and then have it towed in for for the warrantee work

 

Don't think you've bent a pushrod or two do ya?

 

Why would a service adviser ask you to never come back to his shop???

That sounds really weird.


It's a long story, but basically, the service manager knew far less about the mechanics of the car than I do. I have a short fuse for BS, and this guy was full of it. He then began to question where I purchased the car, and if I bought it new. ( I found it out of State, and used with 7500 miles) After learning this, he told me to find another dealer and take hike. All I expected was this dealer to take an honest stab at correcting the problem. This service manager refused to work with me after learning I didn't buy the car from that dealership. I'm sure there are rules and regulations to prevent this type of action from jackass dealers. If a dealer is unable to maintain and repair Corvettes, then the dealer shouldn't be allowed to sell them.

 

 

do u think that "THE CUSTOMER" bvrought this about,am in the business and will only take so much from a customer. so lets not blame dealership with out his side.

 

About the comment of holding it at redline to make sure the engine self destructs. Does the ECM store data that would show a mechanic you intentionally destroyed the engine? I heard data is collected and stored. When you take your Corvette to a dealer, he may have access to data that could indicate abuse.

Watching the video, it does sound excessive. But it can be difficult for your camera to pick up the sound accurately.

My 2001 makes some of those sounds too. I have 15,500 miles on mine. I never considered it an issue though. Maybe mine is the same as yours, and maybe it's much less. I surely do not get a true knocking sound though. Your video may amplify or muffle your condition.

Mine quiets to a good purrr when warmed up. My thoughts on mine are if it continues to get worse, I'll have to get the thing rebuilt some day. An unexpected expense for sure. But then it would be a good reason to take the car to Lingenfelter to include 50 more HPs with the rebuild.

Ron

 

I have a tapping from 130 degees to about 175degrees and then it goes away. I heard the tapping in the video, also heard a knocking in the video, which concerns me too. Can't be good

 

Holy smokes! Mine is a 98 with headers and compared to yours it is quiet as a church mouse at idle compared to yours. I have 125K miles on. I would say you definately have somethings going bad there.

As far as the dealer telling you to take a hike, I had a Ford dealer do that to me once and only once.

Now don't do this unless you are well known for being one crazy Son-of-a-Bitch like I am. and you have the contacts to pull it off!

I bought a new Merc. Cougar in 1987 through a auto broker/discount house in Detroit. I drove the car home to New England and took it to the local dealership for some warranty repair (the rear end was going out of it). The dealer refused to do the repair because I did not buy the car from his dealership. I wrote Ford a letter (they never replied)and then contacted the local newspaper (a friend of mine is a reporter there) and told him that I was going to take my brand new Merc. Cougar and park in in front of the dealership, pour gas over it and burn it in protest. My wifes brother-in-law is the local Sheriff. When my newspaper reporter friend showed up I waited for him to go inside and speak with the manager/owner. I pulled a gas can with a gallon of water in it out of the trunk and started splashing it all over the car. My wife's brother-in-law showed up with lights flashing! and a bunch of people ran out of the dealership. They wanted it to all go away, I said very simple, do the warranty work and do it right. And if they don't do the work and do it right the newspaper would print the article front page!

Ha! they called the police and my wifes brother-in-law intercepted the call for me! LOL!

Worked perfectly. They treated me like a King from that point on! and I also never bought another Ford!

The kicker! I did have another gallon can with gas and if they would have given me a hard time I would have burned it right then and there.

My newspaper friend and Sheriff friend both knew I would do it and convinced the dealership owner that I would. Later after it was all over and standing in front of the dealership, my wife's brother in-law asked me what I would have done if the bluff had not worked. I walked to the trunk and handed him the other gallon can. I thought he as going to faint, he turned white and pale.

 

Don't know if it will do any good but I would call GM Customer Assistance and file a complaint!!!! Remember,, the squeaky GM Owner gets the service!! If nothing else,, you can vent and it may even pay out for you!!!

Give that a try and also file a complaint with the better business Bureau.

Bill C