Piston Slap?

tjchr · July 21, 2003

my buddy today informed me about a problem GM is having with all the new gen motors that they have came out with in the last couple years. I was wondering if anyone knows any information about this. I just picked up an Avalanche after dumping my Dodge ram.

Heres a link for what he sent me

Piston Slap

jhm · July 21, 2003

Your link dosent work for me, but yes, it is a real problem even though GM denies it. They admit it exists but claim it does not harm the engine. When my '01 developed it, I complained and threatened and they said they would give me a 6 yr 100k warranty on the engine to make me feel better.

ace3166 · July 21, 2003

www.#####.com

ace3166 · July 21, 2003

Oh I see they won't allow it to be posted on here!! What a bunch of BS!! alot of people are having this problem and this site is in kahuzt with the GM coverup???

www.

piston

slap

.com

lrymal · July 21, 2003

Probably because the topic is ancient and repeatedly brought up. Here ya go from a previous post a week or so ago:

Some interesting links about slap and stuff:

Normal?

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/020320.htm

The Art of Complaining about vehicle problems:

http://www.lemonaidcars.com/art_of_complaining.htm

Honda Slap Problem: letter to American Honda:

http://www.planetfeedback.com/sharedLetter...15287-0,00.html

Dodge Ram pickup---from message board:

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/[email protected]

"....the 5.4l engine is a decent engine. there have been some problems with headgaskets and piston slap. although the piston slap issue is more of a customer satisfaction issue than anything else. however, there is one rare problem on the 5.4l and 6.8l v10 tritons that i've never seen on any other engine. some of them have blown spark plugs right out of the head!! that's kinda scarey! "

Honda 4-door Civic:

http://www.epinions.com/content_64843583108

"...Piston Slap: Although my car purrs like a kitten out on the roadway, one can notice a bit of a hostile piston slap just upon start-up; not really the sound of a brand-new engine. Once the car warms up it is really pretty quiet. "

Piston pin noise or slap?

http://www.powerandmotoryacht.com/columns/...nanceqa/0102qa/

"....Piston pin noise and piston slap–indicative of excessive piston clearance–are often confused. The double knock will distinguish piston pin noise, while piston slap is always louder when the engine is cold."

Court document filed against CHRYSLER regarding slap:

http://216.239.37.104/search?q=cache:1wYKq...&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

UGH.... my conclusion? Get a horse...

Greg · July 22, 2003

With all the quiet exhaust and intakes on these new generation engines, it's too easy to start the engine, not realize it's running, and grind the starter again. Doh! Piston slap reminds you that your engine has started. We should all be thankful for GM's thoughtfulness in providing this feature.

akjay · July 22, 2003

I just sigh and then turn up the radio...

c5vetteman · July 23, 2003

I have a hard time believing GM on piston slap being normal. As a result I won't be keeping my truck past my extended warranty of 75,000 miles. Also, this has caused me to have severe doubts about buying another GM gas engine. I might get the Duramax or do the unthinkable and jump ship. However, the jury is still out on the HEMI longevity and I don't like the idea of the Triton blowing spark plugs through my hood!

1999GMCZ-71 · July 23, 2003

Duramax is crap, we've had a couple go south with less that 10,000 miles on them.

Truckman031 · July 23, 2003

Duramax is crap, we've had a couple go south with less that 10,000 miles on them.

The Duramaxs are awesome. You may have had a problem, but overal they are very reliable and powerful. Don't believe me? Ask anyone who owns a Duramax.

MCourson · July 23, 2003

Duramax is crap, we've had a couple go south with less that 10,000 miles on them.

The Duramaxs are awesome. You may have had a problem, but overal they are very reliable and powerful. Don't believe me? Ask anyone who owns a Duramax.

Its the only truck that I have pulled a 7000lbs trailer and you cant tell its hardly back there. Cant wait till October now when it will get a nice 300 miles pull.

tjchr · July 23, 2003

Everyone thanks for your help and info I appreciate it. As for the other items that were brought up, I just got rid of a Dodge, becuase of the tranny was falling apart, and the gas milage was horrible, yea i know i didnt buy a truck for MPG, but compared to the NEW Avalanche I bought, my father said it best "He always has a gas pump attached to his truck" When I was exploring the options between a avalanche and a ram, everyone at dodgetrucks.org, said that the best MPG anyone ever got was like 11, which in this day in age is horrific. Yea I wanted a hemi bad but not bad enough if its going to make me broke.

Thanks again

1999GMCZ-71 · July 24, 2003

Duramax is crap, we've had a couple go south with less that 10,000 miles on them.

The Duramaxs are awesome. You may have had a problem, but overal they are very reliable and powerful. Don't believe me? Ask anyone who owns a Duramax.

I've driven a truck with the Duramax, plenty of power, but we've had several problems with them. The newest one we have is a 3500 2003, and the d**n thing sounds like it's ready to explode. When we first got it it was quiet. Now it's just getting louder and louder.

kw/00 · July 24, 2003

Well helo to all Im a new member here and glad to have found this site. I currently have a 00 Silverado 5.3 ext cab every option and with 111k on it. Yes in the AM if its cold it has the CSK but goes away when warm. It sometimes will tick after you shut it off and go into the store and start it up again. I have seen several of our late model Tahoe 96-98 due the same thing though they have the old trustworthy 5.7 350. These trucks have been used at heavy type of use and run incredible. Im not worried about this problem I have seen over the years a many of cars have some more then others piston slap. Heck even my 92 camry has a litlle when cold and most camrys out there due and still run 300k. Now I would be worried some if the knock was loud and stayed after warm up. Some will do this and should be looked at by GM. So I really am not worried and wont sale the truck. I have spoke to others on the internet and found there Silverados with higher miles then mine has a little slap and has not caused any problems. There is also alot of misguided info that I have run into but hey its the net so it will be there. For me Im keeping this truck until it falls apart which will be a long time. Oh forgot to add chevy has had TSB even for the 5.7 350 knocking in the cold morning. So the old 350 also has had the same problems. Though I have driven both I really like the 5.3 better then the 350. It just has more power in my opinion, and I get 22mph per highway and 19 in city.

01BlackZ71 · July 25, 2003

How in the world do you average 22 Hwy and 19 City? My very first tank on my 01 5.3 when I did the 55mph break in gave me my best ever tank of 18.5mpg. For me, 15 seems to be the average, and that's with a mix of highway and city driving with the A/C always on during the day, since it's 98 degrees with 85% humidity where I live...it makes for a pleasant 115 heat index. What does everyone else average?