Piston slap my a$$!!

jhm · November 7, 2003

Back in june '02 I bring my '03 silverado in cause I am hearing what I think is preignition pinging. They check it out, replace both knock sensors, decarbon the engine but no luck- noise still there. Then they tell me to drive around for about 500 miles to let the engine cleaner work- no luck. Then they tell me they called GM and guess what? you have normal everyday PISTON SLAP! But not to worry cause it is completely normal! Well I do worry and call GM. They tell me that to put my mind at ease, they will give me a 6yr 100k warranty on the entire engine. Reluctantly I accept, I wasn't in to spending time in court fighting a corporation. Last weekend my battery disintegrates so it goes in as a warranty repair. While there I tell the new service manager about the noise that is now present all the time. They take the dash off- no noise, they put the dash on- noise. They drive around with the dash off- no noise. Next one guy drives and one guy gets on the floor listening. He finds the noise is coming from the transfer case shift assembly. When the dash is on, it acts like a speaker enclosure and the noise resonates up the firewall and sounds like its from the engine! He managed to minimize the noise with lube, but has a new assy on order. Well it's been an aggravating year trying to fix the non-existent piston slap, different fuel brands, octanes, fuel system cleaners, using my stethoscope on the engine, hours of research, but now it is going to be quiet again! I was ready to give up, luckily ran into mechanics who started with a fresh outlook!

bassdog · November 7, 2003

Any chance you can give me the phone number and person you talked with at GM? I just got the news yesterday about my piston slap.

jhm · November 7, 2003

Yea, the number I called is 800-222-1020 m-f 8am to 11pm est. I hope you are still in basic warranty otherwise they may give you a hard time. Even though I was still in warranty, they didnt just offer the extended, I said I was really dissapointed and would contact my states attorney. Then they said "what if we give you an extended warranty?" good luck!

LogixRat · November 7, 2003

Glad to hear you got your problem resolved, and also that GM is at least offering the "whiny" customers an extended warranty. I think my truck just recently started with the slap as well, and I have been worried. After I take it into the dealer, I might call the number as well.

Thanks for sharing some great info!!

bassdog · November 10, 2003

I just got off the phone with GM and got my 6yr. 100k mile warranty as well. Unfortunately that's all they are authorized to hand out and GM has NO service plan past their basic 3 / 36 warranty .

I also showed my concern about the brake system and they have no coverage package that will cover that

Anyone know of a warranty plan that can extend the 3 / 36 bumper to bumper warranty that GM recognizes???

PewterC3 · November 10, 2003

I bought GM's "Major Guard " 6yr / 75,000 mile warranty when I bought my truck new. I don't know if you can get it after the purchase. Check with your GM dealer.

jhm · November 11, 2003

Bass dog, What is your concern about the brake system?

bassdog · November 11, 2003

Well, at 25K it had it's 3rd set of rear rotors and the parking break shoes done under warranty. I did manage to get the entire brake system done as well, but I kinda had to pry it from them.

The parking brake shoes are known to GM as a problem and there is a service bulletin for them. My concern is at 50K I am going to have to do it all over again, but this time no warranty. It isn't going to be a cheap job

I just had two front abs sensors replaced last week and the drivers front is already bad again since my abs kicked on and only that side "malfunctioned".

I am still having trouble stopping this truck...if I ever have to "panic" stop, I'm plowing right thru whoever is in front of me cuz that truck ain't gonna stop....