bobodog

i hear a tapping noise when the engine is cold. the engine only has 18000 miles on it. the noise fades away after it warms up. could this be piston slap and if so how do i fix it? or how do i diagnose this problem to see exactly what it it making the noise??

Red99TA

iTrader: (11)

Sounds like piston slap but doesn't mean it necessarily is. Some LS1's are known to have this problem even w/ low miles. Piston slap is where the clearance b/w the piston rings and cylinders is too much when cold so the piston doesn't ride snug up and down in the cylinder when the metal is cold. Once it warms up the piston expands radially to become slightly larger and fill the cylinder more snugly. What type of oil are you using? Might help to go w/ a thicker oil?

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

That sounds like cold start piston slap to me as well. Has it always done this?

bobodog

i just purchased the car 2 months ago from a dealer in tampa. i dont know what kind of oil was in it when i got it but i just changed it 3 weks ago to mobile 1 synthetic 10w30. it always done it since day one

DocEwww

iTrader: (1)

Definetly sounds like piston slap if its only when the car is cold and youre not experiencing a lose of power.

sammyb

iTrader: (5)

its piston slap my 02 som t/a does it to, as well as all the other cars i have owned.

6spd

iTrader: (3)

yep on cold mornings sounds like a friggen diesel till it warms up. annoying but harmless.

Medic/Z28

iTrader: (9)

Harmless?

6spd

iTrader: (3)

never had any problems