Does this sound like Piston Slap?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 87
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From: Dandridge TN
Does this sound like Piston Slap?
I've read tons of information on this site and others about piston slap. I believe I have Piston slap, and although GM says it's "within parameters" it still bothers me. I took it to a dealer recently and they said it was normal. Here are my symptoms below, can you guys confirm that I don't have something else wrong. My symptoms are different than what I have read.
1. Cold start I don't hear the slap after pressure builds, usually just about 10 seconds. That I would be OK with.
2. When I accelerate while cold, my car sounds like a diesel under light throttle only. There is a sweet spot in the throttle that isn't rpm dependent, but load dependent.
3. My car didn't always have this problem. When purchased 2 months ago, it wasn't there, but it wasn't cold outside either. I have put on 10,000 miles in the 2 months. Yes I drive it all over the southeast for my job.
4. The piston slap sound goes away completely when the oil temp reaches about 160F.
1. Cold start I don't hear the slap after pressure builds, usually just about 10 seconds. That I would be OK with.
2. When I accelerate while cold, my car sounds like a diesel under light throttle only. There is a sweet spot in the throttle that isn't rpm dependent, but load dependent.
3. My car didn't always have this problem. When purchased 2 months ago, it wasn't there, but it wasn't cold outside either. I have put on 10,000 miles in the 2 months. Yes I drive it all over the southeast for my job.
4. The piston slap sound goes away completely when the oil temp reaches about 160F.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,375
Likes: 426
I've read tons of information on this site and others about piston slap. I believe I have Piston slap, and although GM says it's "within parameters" it still bothers me. I took it to a dealer recently and they said it was normal. Here are my symptoms below, can you guys confirm that I don't have something else wrong. My symptoms are different than what I have read.
1. Cold start I don't hear the slap after pressure builds, usually just about 10 seconds. That I would be OK with.
2. When I accelerate while cold, my car sounds like a diesel under light throttle only. There is a sweet spot in the throttle that isn't rpm dependent, but load dependent.
3. My car didn't always have this problem. When purchased 2 months ago, it wasn't there, but it wasn't cold outside either. I have put on 10,000 miles in the 2 months. Yes I drive it all over the southeast for my job.
4. The piston slap sound goes away completely when the oil temp reaches about 160F.
1. Cold start I don't hear the slap after pressure builds, usually just about 10 seconds. That I would be OK with.
2. When I accelerate while cold, my car sounds like a diesel under light throttle only. There is a sweet spot in the throttle that isn't rpm dependent, but load dependent.
3. My car didn't always have this problem. When purchased 2 months ago, it wasn't there, but it wasn't cold outside either. I have put on 10,000 miles in the 2 months. Yes I drive it all over the southeast for my job.
4. The piston slap sound goes away completely when the oil temp reaches about 160F.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Dandridge TN
You know thinking back, it started happening after I changed the oil. Maybe the previous owner had a thicker oil or an additive. I'm going to try 10w40 or 15w50 on my next change which is coming up soon.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,375
Likes: 426
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I've read tons of information on this site and others about piston slap. I believe I have Piston slap, and although GM says it's "within parameters" it still bothers me. I took it to a dealer recently and they said it was normal. Here are my symptoms below, can you guys confirm that I don't have something else wrong. My symptoms are different than what I have read.
1. Cold start I don't hear the slap after pressure builds, usually just about 10 seconds. That I would be OK with.
2. When I accelerate while cold, my car sounds like a diesel under light throttle only. There is a sweet spot in the throttle that isn't rpm dependent, but load dependent.
3. My car didn't always have this problem. When purchased 2 months ago, it wasn't there, but it wasn't cold outside either. I have put on 10,000 miles in the 2 months. Yes I drive it all over the southeast for my job.
4. The piston slap sound goes away completely when the oil temp reaches about 160F.
1. Cold start I don't hear the slap after pressure builds, usually just about 10 seconds. That I would be OK with.
2. When I accelerate while cold, my car sounds like a diesel under light throttle only. There is a sweet spot in the throttle that isn't rpm dependent, but load dependent.
3. My car didn't always have this problem. When purchased 2 months ago, it wasn't there, but it wasn't cold outside either. I have put on 10,000 miles in the 2 months. Yes I drive it all over the southeast for my job.
4. The piston slap sound goes away completely when the oil temp reaches about 160F.
Most vehicles with the noise will peak in level by revving the engine to about 1600 rpm in neutral.
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
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From: SoCal CA
Way too thick. Youll starve the engine at cold temps with oil that thick, making the issue worse. I use 5w30 right now and have had no issues. 10w30 for hot summers only because Im moddified.
And no #@&~*$#% additives either.
