General LSX Automobile Discussion Non-technical LSX related topics.

Piston Slap...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-08-2008, 09:43 PM
  #1  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
Vicinity's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: FL
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Piston Slap...

So I've done some searching and came up with it only occurs in LS1's. Not LS2+, just the first engine. Why is it only present in LS1's? There can't be so much different aside from more cubes, different heads/cam and a few other things?

So what's the deal? Shouldn't there be a way to eliminate it?
Old 11-08-2008, 11:26 PM
  #2  
Teching In
 
01navyz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

My car used to have piston slap with 64k miles on the clock. I changed my oil from Mobile 1 5w30 to German Castrol 0w30 which pretty much eliminated the noise.
Old 11-09-2008, 01:40 AM
  #3  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
Vicinity's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: FL
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by 01navyz
My car used to have piston slap with 64k miles on the clock. I changed my oil from Mobile 1 5w30 to German Castrol 0w30 which pretty much eliminated the noise.
You went to a lighter weight oil and the sound went away?
Old 11-09-2008, 03:37 AM
  #4  
myk
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
myk's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Sun Diego
Posts: 1,882
Received 13 Likes on 10 Posts

Default

Yeah, really. I went from M1's 5W30 to their 0W30 and now it sounds like I drive a Turbo-Max diesel...
Old 11-09-2008, 09:58 AM
  #5  
LS1Tech Administrator
iTrader: (3)
 
RPM WS6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Schiller Park, IL Member: #317
Posts: 32,332
Likes: 0
Received 1,769 Likes on 1,262 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Vicinity
So I've done some searching and came up with it only occurs in LS1's. Not LS2+, just the first engine. Why is it only present in LS1's? There can't be so much different aside from more cubes, different heads/cam and a few other things?

So what's the deal? Shouldn't there be a way to eliminate it?
Funny thing is, the early LS1s don't slap like the later ones do. My '98 has zero slap, but my '02 sounds like an F-350 Superduty with a Powerstroke.

No biggie really, the noise goes away once it's warmed up.

Originally Posted by Vicinity
You went to a lighter weight oil and the sound went away?
GC 0W30 is thicker/heavier than M1 5W30. Personally, I use M1 0W40 in both my LS1s.
Old 11-09-2008, 10:12 AM
  #6  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (21)
 
blk/slvr02ss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Port Saint Lucie,Florida
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

MY 98 & 00 made no noise at all but my 02 i sold 5 months ago did but the 02 i just bought don't.
Old 11-09-2008, 10:37 AM
  #7  
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
redls1bird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by RPM WS6

GC 0W30 is thicker/heavier than M1 5W30. Personally, I use M1 0W40 in both my LS1s.
Thats not really possible. Oil companies have to adhere to strict standards to rate their oil viscosity.

http://www.upmpg.com/tech_articles/motoroil_viscosity/
Old 11-09-2008, 10:56 AM
  #8  
LS1Tech Administrator
iTrader: (3)
 
RPM WS6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Schiller Park, IL Member: #317
Posts: 32,332
Likes: 0
Received 1,769 Likes on 1,262 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by redls1bird
Thats not really possible. Oil companies have to adhere to strict standards to rate their oil viscosity.

http://www.upmpg.com/tech_articles/motoroil_viscosity/
Yes, it is possibile.

I suggest you do more extensive research.

There is a range that any oil can fall in to be sold as a "30" weight. CST rating on GC 0W30 is greater than M1 5W30, hence the GC 0W30 is thicker. GC is on the thick end of a 30 weight, while M1 is on the thin end.
Old 11-09-2008, 11:01 AM
  #9  
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
 
CoastieWS6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lake Charles La / Mobile, AL
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 01navyz
My car used to have piston slap with 64k miles on the clock. I changed my oil from Mobile 1 5w30 to German Castrol 0w30 which pretty much eliminated the noise.
**** I use the same oil (German Castrol 0w30) I still have piston slap. When I was using 5w30 castrol it was not that bad during cold start up. I think I'm switching back to 5w30 Castrol.
Old 11-09-2008, 11:25 AM
  #10  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
samson_420's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Narnia
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I use straight up 10-30 Valvoline in my 98' and pretty much hear no piston slap at all.

I think there is a difference in rings maybe within the 4 production years.
Old 11-09-2008, 12:37 PM
  #11  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (88)
 
the_merv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: The Beach...
Posts: 19,704
Received 270 Likes on 206 Posts

Default

I don't understand what you guys are calling Piston Slap. If your Engine is running without a problem, then you should not have any Piston slap at all.

I spun a Bearing in my Stroker and that caused me to have Piston Slap cause the proper tolerances were no longer being met. When I pulled the Head off, I could see the marks where the Piston was slapping the Head, and it made the very distinct sound too..

Someone explain to me what you guys are calling "Piston Slap" cause I don't see it happening if everything is running good..
Old 11-09-2008, 12:42 PM
  #12  
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
brandotron's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

The slap came when GM started cutting costs. They calibrated their machines, but it seems they cut back on quality control. It's the same mode of thinking that caused them to use the 10bolt behind an LS1, use cheap cracking plastic on T/A door panels, use resin intakes, etc. It's all about their bottom line.

According to the CNBC special, it's a whole new GM. We'll have to wait til the 5th gen to see I guess...
Old 11-09-2008, 12:45 PM
  #13  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
Vicinity's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: FL
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

My piston slap doesn't go away when it warm, it's still there, just not quite as noisy as a diesel anymore.
Old 11-09-2008, 01:05 PM
  #14  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
samson_420's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Narnia
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Piston slap in my words = The piston hitting the bore, which makes a distinctive sound.
Old 11-09-2008, 01:39 PM
  #15  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (88)
 
the_merv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: The Beach...
Posts: 19,704
Received 270 Likes on 206 Posts

Default

K. Do you guys mean the Piston "Rock" that some of the early LS Engines had?
Old 11-09-2008, 02:43 PM
  #16  
LS1Tech Administrator
iTrader: (3)
 
RPM WS6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Schiller Park, IL Member: #317
Posts: 32,332
Likes: 0
Received 1,769 Likes on 1,262 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by brandotron
use resin intakes, etc.
What's wrong with the LS1/6 intakes? The material is DuPont Nylon 66. Not cheap stuff. I don't see any issues there.

Originally Posted by the_merv
K. Do you guys mean the Piston "Rock" that some of the early LS Engines had?
Not the early cars, it's usually with the later cars. I beleive there was a ring change in '01. It seems that the '01+ cars slap more. My '98 is dead quiet. My '99 & '00 were pretty quiet too. My '02 has a healthy case of slap though.

It's the same sound that every GM 3.1L V6 has as well. They are the worst.
Old 11-10-2008, 11:23 AM
  #17  
10 Second Club
iTrader: (28)
 
jmm98LS1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: KS
Posts: 3,975
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts

Default

I know starting with the LS2 GM went to a floating piston pin instead of a press fit pin like the genIII motors had.....supposedly for quieter operation.
Old 11-10-2008, 12:18 PM
  #18  
TECH Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
 
Vicinity's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: FL
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Well, if this unnecessarily loud piston slap destroys my motor, I guess I'll be going for the LS2 swap.

No there's no real way to eliminate it or even quiet it down other than oil?
Old 11-10-2008, 02:06 PM
  #19  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
 
SOMbitch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,881
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Oil really won't even stop it. SOMETIMES Seafoam helps by cleaning built up carbon from the piston skirt. What you hear is the piston rocking in the bore and it quits when warm because the piston expands and then fits the bore with tighter tolerances. It is harmless and only an annoyance. Older (60's/70's) Mopars were also notorious for this. There is more info on this I just don't wanna post too long. The 5.3 in my 99 slaps so I did a bunch of research when I first got it several years ago. If you wanna get the **** scared outta you go to the pistonslap.com website It is BS though or they would have won a class action lawsuit against GM.
Old 11-10-2008, 04:02 PM
  #20  
11 Second Club
iTrader: (88)
 
the_merv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: The Beach...
Posts: 19,704
Received 270 Likes on 206 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by SOMbitch
Oil really won't even stop it. SOMETIMES Seafoam helps by cleaning built up carbon from the piston skirt. What you hear is the piston rocking in the bore and it quits when warm because the piston expands and then fits the bore with tighter tolerances. It is harmless and only an annoyance.
That's what I thought everyone meant. I had an actual case of true Piston Slap..caused by Rod Bearing Failure.


Quick Reply: Piston Slap...



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:19 AM.