tapping sound

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Jun 27, 2005 | 09:20 PM

hardtopz28

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Launching!

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From: Orange Tx

tapping sound

When I start my car it makes a tapping sound like a lifter or something it started doing this a bout a week after I changed the oil the oil is mobil 1 5w30 it does this untill it is warm then it goes away my car is an 02 z28 any info will be greatly appreciated

Jun 27, 2005 | 11:24 PM

EugThinks

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From: South Bay, CA

This is secondhand information, so don't take my word on it... my friend's 95 Miata used to do the same thing. He said it was a common problem on the Miata forums, and their standard solution was to use 10w oil instead of 5w. Hopefully someone else can provide more information... good luck!

Edit: The Miata guys identified the problem as "lifter tick", maybe that will help you find more information.

Jun 28, 2005 | 01:23 AM

TMOWS6

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From: Homer Glen IL

Piston Slap, its a common problem among LS1 f-bodys, its never been proven to cause damage to LS1's. you can go to www.pistonslap.com for more info about it.

Jun 28, 2005 | 07:17 AM

WS6FirebirdTA00

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From: North Carolina

piston slap most likely, when its cold there are pretty loose tolerances, when everything heats up and expands correctly it tightens up and the noise goes away

Jun 28, 2005 | 07:47 AM

RevGTO

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From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego

It may be piston slap or lifter noise - piston slap is deeper sound, almost like a knock; lifter noise lighter, more like tapping. My LS1 has mild piston slap on cold starts below 45*; my wife's 3.4 V6 has lifter noise for the first few minutes after cold starts no matter what the outside temps. No problems because of it after 105,000k.