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Engine Pinging in a new 2004 C5

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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 10:32 AM
  #1  
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Default Engine Pinging in a new 2004 C5

Just bought a new 2004 C5 and am worried about a sowing machine sound coming from the engine. I can here it inside as well.
As of yet, only 434 miles logged.
After reading some of the posts about having a pinging engine
checked out just to be sure, I took my C5 to the dealership and
had them check it out. When I pulled up to the service entrance
a vette mechanic and service writer came out. After acknowledging the sound and revving the engine a few times the mechanic said it was the injectors making the noise and told me to drive it a few more miles before worrying about it. I'm not sure about that answer.
Thinking that the dealership gave me low octane gas when I bought
the vette I figured that was the problem, but now I have 98 octane
in it and still have the sound.
I had a 98' vette and don't remember a sound like this.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 10:50 AM
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The term "sewing machine" caught my attention. That is exactly how I described piston slap in one of my cars.
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 11:34 AM
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Normal. It is really a sewing machine motor in disguise.
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 01:30 PM
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Where do you get 98 octane? The mechanic may be right; the injectors do make some noise. Did they change the oil? I doubt it, but heavy weight oil may slow the lifters from filling and cause the same type of noise. Drive it for a while.
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 01:34 PM
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My 03 pinged too brand new. I had to get an LS1 edit done to take care of it. The guy that did the tune said he had heard of a lot of 03's pinging.
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 02:06 PM
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Originally Posted by carpe dm
Where do you get 98 octane? The mechanic may be right; the injectors do make some noise. Drive it for a while.
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 10:39 PM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by DBrown
Just bought a new 2004 C5 and am worried about a sowing machine sound coming from the engine. I can here it inside as well.
Thinking that the dealership gave me low octane gas when I bought
the vette I figured that was the problem, but now I have 98 octane
in it and still have the sound.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Lift the hood, and look for a brand name plate that says "Singer". If it's there, that could explain the sewing machine sound.

Also I wish to purchase some of that there 98 octane fuel, if you would be so kind as to give us directions. TIA.

Just kidding...hope you get your troubles worked out!!! Hopefully it will be something simple. If not...you have the warranty!
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Old Aug 24, 2004 | 11:05 PM
  #8  
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How long does that sound last? My '02 will have that noise for about a minute and then disappear and run fine. From what I understand, it's called "piston-slap"...evidently, the piston has to expand to totally fill the chamber and until it does, it'll do a little jig at the upstroke.

Run, do not walk, to your dealership and demand an extended 6 year/100,000 mile warranty on your engine. That's the "solution" they finally offered me after much complaining on my part when I discovered the problem shortly after I bought mine.

It's a known GM problem with the LS1 engine. They've stopped trying to fix it under warranty and insist that it will not affect the life or the performance of the motor.

I know, I know...brand new car and the motor sounds like you have a messed up valve or something. It's somewhat embarrasing when starting it up in front of friends..."Say, what's the matter with your engine..?" "Ya got a bad valve or something?"

Check out this link: http://www.pistonslap.com/
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Old Aug 25, 2004 | 01:10 AM
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This does not sound like a "PINGING" problem to me.

Ping you would hear at WOT or the engine under load in a high gear.
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Old Aug 25, 2004 | 01:30 AM
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I didnt understand the purpose of that link. Are they tryng to put some kind of lawsuit together or what?
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