Did GM fix the piston slap and ring issues by '02
Did GM fix the piston slap and ring issues by '02 Did the GM fix the "piston slap" issue and "oil burn" ring issue by the '02 model year in the LS1's? I'm in the market for another LS1 car and know these were common problems, just trying to decrease my chance of being screwed down the road.
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Mine doesn't seem to have it especially bad. It will do it a bit when its cold, but none what so ever when it warms up. Also, this car has never burnt a noticeable amount of oil from change to change. Like half a quart, if any. 67.5k and going strong. 
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 634
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From: In the garage fixing LT1
I have a 2002 and no piston slap. No oil loss either. Very nice running engine. If you have any doubts about LS1 reliability look at Consumer Reports. The LS1 is rated "much better than average" for reliability in 2002.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Texas
'02 was the year the LS6 got coated pistions and I believe the LS1 got them as well. Either way, the largest attempt at fixing the piston slap issue is coming with the LS2, floating wrist pins.
Todd
Todd
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Launching!
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 257
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From: Northern Virginia
Originally Posted by awesomeame
what actually causes the slap?
--matt
--matt
My '02 has some piston slap when it is cold. Once it is warmed up I have none. I have no oil burning issues.
My '02 does run like a raped ape so I don't think the piston slap is an issue.
My '02 does run like a raped ape so I don't think the piston slap is an issue.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 634
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From: In the garage fixing LT1
Originally Posted by ccsanders01
i saw that you were talking about piston slap, is this a gm service bulletin issue, i just got mine a couple of weeks ago and have noise when first startup 
The piston slap seems to be normal, just the nature of the beast with alluminum engines. As for the "oil burn/ring issues" that some LS1's have...did they correct this known problem by 2002 model year?
TECH Resident
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 770
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From: Troy Al
Originally Posted by PHANTA-Z
Mine doesn't seem to have it especially bad. It will do it a bit when its cold, but none what so ever when it warms up. Also, this car has never burnt a noticeable amount of oil from change to change. Like half a quart, if any. 67.5k and going strong.
Ditto, 01 45K same info.
We also have almost the same HP and 1/4 times
I burn no oil, dipstick is still on the full line at
the 3K service interval. My car rattles when
cold but gets quiet when warmed up.
I think people confuse piston slap with normal
cold engine tolerance noises. An old iron SBC
with forged pistons acts the same; cold slap
that gets better as it warms up. This is not an
"issue" - it's materials science, if you built the
thing dead tight at cold it would sieze when hot.
Now, if you still rattle like a diesel when it's up
to operating temp, you've got a piston slap
"issue". If you don't like how it sounds when it
is still warming up, that's an issue of another
sort.
the 3K service interval. My car rattles when
cold but gets quiet when warmed up.
I think people confuse piston slap with normal
cold engine tolerance noises. An old iron SBC
with forged pistons acts the same; cold slap
that gets better as it warms up. This is not an
"issue" - it's materials science, if you built the
thing dead tight at cold it would sieze when hot.
Now, if you still rattle like a diesel when it's up
to operating temp, you've got a piston slap
"issue". If you don't like how it sounds when it
is still warming up, that's an issue of another
sort.
Not sure on the f-body's, but the Corvette got the new pistons in spring of 01. New rings in the LS-6 at the start of 02 production, the LS-1 got them a couple of weeks into production.
As for the piston slap issue, couple of things to consider. One is carbon build-up that will cause a "tick" noise on cold start. Use some GM #12345515 to remove and see if this helps. Second, not sure what you are running for oil or filter, but consider a better flowing filter. I am currently running a Baldwin filter and Amsoil 5W-30, which has better high temperature viscosity than Mobil-1. Next change I am going to German Castrol 0W-30, which is available at Autozone. Excellent oil.
As for the piston slap issue, couple of things to consider. One is carbon build-up that will cause a "tick" noise on cold start. Use some GM #12345515 to remove and see if this helps. Second, not sure what you are running for oil or filter, but consider a better flowing filter. I am currently running a Baldwin filter and Amsoil 5W-30, which has better high temperature viscosity than Mobil-1. Next change I am going to German Castrol 0W-30, which is available at Autozone. Excellent oil.
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Alpharetta, GA
My '01 car did not have piston slap at start up when I first bought it. The previous owner used 10w-30 syn in it. I just switched to K&N with GC 0w-30 and it started ticking at start up...but goes away after it's warm. I'm not worried about it b/c there are plenty of LS1s running around with plenty of miles on them that have this problem.
Last edited by BatmanLS1; Jul 30, 2004 at 09:34 AM.