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Old 12-05-2008, 12:02 AM
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Default best oil viscocity/weight....

Got an anoying case of piston slap. Oil really does need to be changed though so no suprises. Im running 5W-30Royal Purple topped off with some mobil 1 . 67K now and I think its time for some seafoam!!! Should i go with somethign heavier like 10W-30 to quite down the noise? I live in texas so it rarely gets below freezing so what do you guys recomend?

-zach
Old 12-05-2008, 12:03 AM
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I run pennzoil platinum 5w-30
Old 12-05-2008, 12:30 AM
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Im sorry I didn't say it better. Would 10W-30 quite my piston slap or should i get something thicker? The issue is unpleasant noise. I realize it wont magically dissapear!!! but am I on the right track?

-zach
Old 12-05-2008, 05:15 AM
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10W-30 vs. 5W-30, depending on the brand the 10W-30 may actually be thinner at termperature. You need to check the specifications and find out the viscosity at 100 degrees C. That's why I run the German Castrol 0W-30, it has a very high viscosity at 100 degrees C.
Old 12-05-2008, 07:01 AM
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http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

Will help with finding the right viscosity you're looking for.
Old 12-05-2008, 08:16 AM
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Seafoam isn't going to solve your piston slap...
Old 12-05-2008, 08:27 AM
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I've ben running Mobil 1 5w/30 . I also use Delco filters in every vehicle i have w/ o any issues whatso ever. T/A w/ 115,000 on it and a 95 GMC sierra w/ 321,000 on the clock and hasnt skipped a beat so i guess the proof is in the pudding(oil)
Old 12-05-2008, 09:19 AM
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if your really worried about it run 20w 40.... unless your tryin to set some record or race every day the thicker oil wont even be noticed.
Old 12-05-2008, 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by ReiKo
Seafoam isn't going to solve your piston slap...
It will clean out alot of built up grime in my motor reducing overall friction slightly. It certianly will help! Went on that bobistheoil guy site and still couldnt come to a conclusionom what to choose.

Someone told me royal purple was terrible.... ok guys recomend me something that will quite my **** down some and doesnt rob too much power.
Old 12-05-2008, 12:26 PM
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running castrol syntec 5w-40. good stuff. always check my oil and its always good to go. never had any issues or problems.
Old 12-05-2008, 01:05 PM
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The seafoam is a good idea, do it before your oil change. Knocking some carbon off may well reduce noise that is or sounds like piston slap. Where are you in Texas?

I used the RP 10-30 religiously and love it. I just switched to the Euro Castrol Syntec 5-40 and may like it better. I considered the Mobil 1 0-40 with "winter" here. Check out the boboilguy site, it's a great read, and make your call. Any good synthetic + filter every 5k or less will do you right. I've used RP 15-40 and felt it was too thick on startup, though it was nice once running. I am really liking the Syntec so far, it is quieter all the time.
Old 12-05-2008, 01:26 PM
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If you are a fan of RP, try moving to the RP XPR 10-40. A little more expensive, but it's the only oil my car sees. Do it for 1 change interval, I bet your noises go away.
Old 12-05-2008, 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by zachness
It will clean out alot of built up grime in my motor reducing overall friction slightly. It certianly will help! Went on that bobistheoil guy site and still couldnt come to a conclusionom what to choose.

Someone told me royal purple was terrible.... ok guys recomend me something that will quite my **** down some and doesnt rob too much power.
Originally Posted by jmilz28
The seafoam is a good idea, do it before your oil change. Knocking some carbon off may well reduce noise that is or sounds like piston slap. Where are you in Texas?

I used the RP 10-30 religiously and love it. I just switched to the Euro Castrol Syntec 5-40 and may like it better. I considered the Mobil 1 0-40 with "winter" here. Check out the boboilguy site, it's a great read, and make your call. Any good synthetic + filter every 5k or less will do you right. I've used RP 15-40 and felt it was too thick on startup, though it was nice once running. I am really liking the Syntec so far, it is quieter all the time.
Seafoam isn't going cure piston slap... WHERE are you guys getting this from?!?!?!
Old 12-06-2008, 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by ReiKo
Seafoam isn't going cure piston slap... WHERE are you guys getting this from?!?!?!
Well after putting it in my oil and driving about 60 miles i started draining the oil and it was jet black with a hint of red to it. much filthier then usual. Wouldn't removing debree and YEARS of buildup (the car is a 99) reduce friction and therefore noise? Maybe my assumption is ignorant. please educate me

To the guy that asked what part of Texas I live around houston.... I ended up cheaping out for the first time in awhile. A ******* bearing or something incredibly loud decided to go out the night before the oil change! So went with some castrol synthetic 10W-40. improved hardly at all. Guess I will have to change to change it again soon with some royal.

This syntec 10W-40 stuff any good?
Old 12-07-2008, 08:50 AM
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Running M1 10w30 may help with a little thicker film but it won't solve the problem. A little piston slap is normal/acceptable with the LS1 engines.

Seafoam will be no help to you.

Another solution would be to add a cam with fast ramp rates so the valvetrain sewing machine sound drowns out the piston slap noise.

good luck
Old 12-07-2008, 02:46 PM
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Seafoam run through the PCV or brake booster in some cases does help with PS but it will come back.

Carbon build up on the piston skirt often produces the slap/knock at cold start. This is why these motors are quiet when new but develop PS as they get more miles thus more carbon build-up. Seafoam can clean this carbon off resulting in less or eliminated PS for a while until it builds back up.

PS is caused by BOTH loose tolerances AND and the short piston skirt designed to reduce rotating mass on these pistons.
Old 12-07-2008, 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by SOMbitch
Carbon build up on the piston skirt often produces the slap/knock at cold start. This is why these motors are quiet when new but develop PS as they get more miles thus more carbon build-up. Seafoam can clean this carbon off resulting in less or eliminated PS for a while until it builds back up.
Interesting theory.

I usually run GC but decided to put in some cheaper semi-synthetic 5-30 since my winter-spring oil change comes up quicker. Piston slap got much worse. I'm going to go drain it now and replace it with GC.

I have noticed my piston slap get progressively worse in the 5 years and 43,000 miles I've driven the car.
Old 12-07-2008, 03:28 PM
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mobil 1 15w50 nukka
Old 12-07-2008, 04:29 PM
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First thing is stop using that RP BS oil that got you with their cool colors and advertisements on Horsepower TV.
Old 12-07-2008, 06:30 PM
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i dont think getting a heavier oil will help 20w50 and a 5w-30 have the same viscosity at operating temps the difference is at start up where a 20w-50 has a really high viscosity (very bad) and 5w-30 is lower (better) try the sea foam but dont go to a heavier oil it will only cause more wear at start up...



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