GM Piston Slap

WheresMyBobber · 03-02-2004, 12:32 PM

We've got the same problem (along with a lot of other people) with our Subaru Outback Wagon, but of course Subaru says it's normal. I guess "normal" to these companies means the engine just won't last as long as they used to.

This kind of stuff is why I'm still driving my 10 year old Nissan 4x4. With the exception of having some exhaust manifold studs break, all I do is change the oil and rotate the tires. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Thumper · 03-02-2004, 01:21 PM

Smart man WMB. With over 72 Nissan courier vehicles and pickups over the years, sedans and pickups, both 2 and 4WD, NEVER a vehicle retired before 250,000 miles. And NEVER an engine replaced. What a fantastic brand.

R Jackson · 03-02-2004, 01:39 PM

I saw a news story about this a while back. In extreme cases, GM is giving people new trucks because of it.

Denali · 03-02-2004, 01:47 PM

1990 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton
199,658 miles, drove it to work today. Replaced water pump 5 years ago.

jokester · 03-02-2004, 01:55 PM

Quote:

I saw a news story about this a while back. In extreme cases, GM is giving people new trucks because of it.

It's definitely a known issue! I'm not sure if GM is giving people new trucks over it, but I do know that in some extreme cases, GM has given extended warranties to the customers. I think the noise is primarily when the truck is first started, right? Does it continue to "slap" after the engine has warmed up?

-jokester

Tilla · 03-02-2004, 02:24 PM

Lawyer required!

HeavyMetal BankFisherman · 03-02-2004, 02:35 PM

Good luck with your arbitration. I hope you prevail. I am currently a party in a class action lawsuit against Ford. I am fixing the problem at my expense rather than find myself broke down on the side of the road with a blown motor.

I have heard some of those piston slappin chevy's. Now I know why they made so much noise.

fish_on · 03-02-2004, 03:15 PM

When I was a tech at a GM dealer we replaced many of the Vortec engines. The problem is they went to a very short skirt piston to reduce rotational weight and improve mileage and power. The short skirt doesn't give it as much support so when it is cold it slaps a little until it warms up and fits tight. If the tolerances were tightened up the slap would not exist, but in mass production they would have more problems with the piston expanding and seizing in the bore. It�s really not a big problem just annoying.

Rakkasan · 03-02-2004, 05:19 PM

Owned one ford pickup my whole life. Never again. I use to work for GM Customer care in the new truck information section. Lot's of repeat customers and a lot fo complaints.

V-6 in my 2003 Toyota Tacoma runs great :grin:

Silver Eagle · 03-02-2004, 05:49 PM

Jezz i'M In a delima, own a 84 Chev 6.2 224,000 still running, I mean it get me there and back, newer Ford F350 38,000, have several other gas engines but what do I do? I wanted a Diesel and wife wanted a Crew Cab, I think you take the good with the bad, am going to Yuma in 2 Weeks pulling a 40 fifth wheel, hope I make it.........

boater · 03-02-2004, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by StickFish:
Remember Chevy - Built Like a Knock

my 2002 5.3 silverado is "built like a knock"

Pyramid · 03-02-2004, 07:59 PM

I haven't experienced it, but the GM dealer say's that today's tolerances are sooo close that any carbon buildup will cause a knock.

Maddie'sDaddy · 03-02-2004, 08:08 PM

I will never buy another chevy product again,
my wife liked the Malibu so we purchased one with 400 miles on it . Loved it for the first two months . Had nothing but problem after problem with that car. Finally traded it in , needless to say we lost our buts on that deal. As soon as you drive a Chevy off a lot I think it depreciates by about 50%. Purchased her a 2003 Maxima SE . Love it. I owned a 4x4 Nissan pickup for about three years and you are right those trucks go forever. Only sold it cause we had our baby and needed something bigger. So i bought a full size 96 Bronco. Must say i love it too.

Jsail · 03-02-2004, 08:12 PM

I'm surprised no one has posted tis yet....
The issue I had 5.7 vortec was the knock after it warms up. About ten miles or so.
I spent $1400 trying to fix it with injector cleaning, plugs and wires, manifold gasket and more. After replacing the intake manifold gasket for $800 (and still having the knock), I was ready to trade it in for something new.
I tried one more shop and told them everything that had been done. After 45min of driving around while the mechanic watched his computer he said,
"Ya got me, give me a few minutes to look on the GM website". He came back and said he'd found 2 things that might solve the issues.
1) I could take it to a Chev dealer and have them wipe the computer and reload it with the updated program for that engine. Est. cost $200-$300
2) It could be carbon deposit on the head and they could run a can of solution through it for $80.
He explained that there was some information on the GM sight about a possible re-call for this carbon build up on the heads.
Explanation: After the engine warms up, the head and carbon heats up causing pre-ignition and a ping or knock.
Twenty minutes, a bunch of white smoke and it ran like new! Best $80 I ever spent especially after the 2 years of trying to figure it out.

Rippenlips · 03-02-2004, 08:30 PM

GM top engine clean? I do think they have a problem with piston slap.

Jon T

StickFish · 03-02-2004, 11:12 PM

If you have a 1999-2003 Chevy truck with a gasoline Vortec engine head to pistonslap dot com and find out why your engine sounds like crap. I've been battling GM for several months on the issue and I'm headed to an arbitration hearing on the 17th. I hope I will not be a Chevy owner too much after that date.

Remember Chevy - Built Like a Knock

Don't buy one, don't recommend one, if you have one lets take them on

TundraIII · 03-02-2004, 11:17 PM

Just traded in my 2001 Chevy Tahoe with Vortec 5.3. I did notice a knock when the engine was cold but it went away after warm up. I love my old 97 Tahoe with the 5.7 Vortec but that new Tahoe was really dissapointing after the "Newness" wore off. Bought a 2004 Ford F350 and so far it's been great. I may never buy another new Chevy.......

Thumper · 03-02-2004, 11:31 PM

1982 Chevy 6.2 diesel. 47 warranty claims in 3 years.

1983 Chevy 6.2 diesel. 9 warranty claims, including 3 trannies in 2 years. Engine worn out at 71,000 miles. "Not a long-lived engine", according to GM area rep.

Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever again.

Ever!!! [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

03-02-2004, 11:50 PM

"Like a Rock"

What about carbon buildup on the pistons?

GOT2FISH · 03-03-2004, 09:38 AM

Not long ago when I was into racing we had to look long and hard for certian enigne blocks. Apperiantly G.M. had a herd of mexican motors that had a higher than normal failer rate due to the sand in the castings they used. We used to call them taijuan targets. Also they had a lower tin content and weighed a little more. Any way not a new problem. We would also get 4.3 Vortex take them off the delivery truck and have to replace the Valve Stem seals. Brand new trucks and were tearing them down before we drove them. Thanks NAFTA

R Jackson · 03-03-2004, 01:30 PM

Did GM make The Oregonian print a retraction? Not trying to argue, just curious.

StickFish · 03-03-2004, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by R Jackson:
I saw a news story about this a while back. In extreme cases, GM is giving people new trucks because of it.

I questioned them (Chevy) about that Luciel Singleterry to be exact. She stated that the Oregonian LIED and that none of this was true.

StickFish · 03-03-2004, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jokester:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />I saw a news story about this a while back. In extreme cases, GM is giving people new trucks because of it.

It's definitely a known issue! I'm not sure if GM is giving people new trucks over it, but I do know that in some extreme cases, GM has given extended warranties to the customers. I think the noise is primarily when the truck is first started, right? Does it continue to "slap" after the engine has warmed up?

-jokester <hr /></blockquote>The extended warranties are crap, the engine literally has to explode to get coverage. 1 quart of oil per 1,000 miles is considered normal in the new Chevy world. The slap sounds like it goes away, but often the oil that leads to carbon buildup on the pistons hides the noise.

In my case it never really quits, go down a hill and take your foot off the gas and it sounds like I have a jake brake

StickFish · 03-03-2004, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jsail:
[Twenty minutes, a bunch of white smoke and it ran like new! Best $80 I ever spent especially after the 2 years of trying to figure it out. [/QB]

Sounds like electing a new Pope :smile:

I hope your right, but most of the feedback on web sites is that helps for about 1,000 miles

StickFish · 03-04-2004, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by R Jackson:
Did GM make The Oregonian print a retraction? Not trying to argue, just curious.

Not that I know of and I just got two copies of that days paper for my hearing.

StickFish · 03-04-2004, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fish_on:
When I was a tech at a GM dealer we replaced many of the Vortec engines. <snip> It�s really not a big problem just annoying.

That's interesting. I'm glad for you that you have moved on to bigger and better things.

In a quote from the executive editor of Kelly Blue Book, that annoying problem could cost the owner between $4,000 and $6,000 when it comes time to sell. See the Detroit Free Press Article pretty expensive annoying little problem. I have several appointments tomorrow to document the lower re-sale value for my hearing

Chevy/GM has also been rather inconsistent in its policy towards piston slap. The TSB 01-06-01-005 GM recommends the servicing of the four offending psitons. The TSB even states that it was only an annoying problem.

If it were really just an annoying issue they wouldn't have fixed the other vehicles.