Piston slap is normal!??

[Spanky]

My 2000 Malibu has 3500 miles on its 3.1 litre V6 engine. I returned it to
the dealer 2 days ago because of a knocking sound after cold start-up.
The service rep told me that it was piston "slap" and that it was
*NORMAL*. I told them that that was unacceptable and they will have to
get the factory rep out to look at it. I know they are going to try to
stick it to me tomorrow.

My question is... has anyone else experienced knocking sounds after a cold
start? Has anyone gotten this problem resolved?

Thanks

[chantal.pierre]

Piston ''slap''...

That's a new one. I don't even know what it could possibly mean. To me,
it's a pure invention of your dealer.

I own a 1998 Malibu LS with the same engine. I live in Quebec city, where,
in winter, you sometime start your car at a temperature of -30 celcius ( about
the same in farheneit ) and I never experienced these ''piston slap'',
whatever that could be.

What temperature are you referring when you say : cold start ?

[Spanky]

I live in Palmdale California. The average morning temperature in my
garage has been approximately 55 degrees farenheit. I guess cold is a
relative term.

chantal...@sympatico.ca (chantal.pierre) wrote in
<3A00E6DF...@sympatico.ca>:

[chantal.pierre]

Then print my precedent answer and show it to your dealer, I don't think
they will have an easy answer after that.

[jam...@wa.freei.net]

I too own a Malibu although a (98). I experience the same knocking
sound upon cold startup. The Dealer also said it was "normal"
hydraulic tappets!!! Hmmmmm??? I think not!!!
Hope you get the answers you need.. just thought I would reply to the
knocking noise as well.

JamesB

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[Spanky]

Your hydraulic tappets may be piston "slap!"

According to the service manager, piston slap is a condition where the size of
the cylinder is sufficiently large to allow the piston sideways travel in the
bore, thus allowing the piston to slap from side to side. I think what
happens is that a high speed vibration gets set up and the engine just tears
itself apart. The factory, in all its wisdom, decided that they would put
pistons in cylinders 1 and 6 (I think those are the ones he said) that are
graphite coated, thereby reducing friction and eliminating the "slapping."
Those two cylinders are the worst offenders.

The service manager now says that the entire engine has to come apart and
graphite pistons put in all the cylinders. I say BS, give me a new engine at
least! Anyway, when the engine does get torn down all the way I'm going to
look at it before they put it together. If there is a single scratch on any
of the cylinders I'm getting a new engine! There is a good chance that the
cylinders are scored because I used 1.5 quarts of oil in just 3500 miles.

These people are just amazing. They told me that it was normal hoping the
engine would last until 30,000 miles and that I would just go away. Once I
asserted my rights they completely backed down and they are now kissing my ass
like I was royalty.

Anyway James, you may want to ask them how they made their diagnosis. They
tried to dismissed my case simply by listening to it. And, by the way,
tappets, even when cold, should not make noise.

jam...@wa.freei.net wrote in <3a03b234...@news.pioneernet.net>:

[Derrik Arenal]

Ask, "Piston Slap"ping what? Cause whatever the piston is slapping (besides
the air) cant be good.

Spanky wrote:

--
Derrik Arenal

[Musclecar]

I am parting out a 1979 Malibu 2 door hot rod. A tree fell on the
trunk but the rest of the body is excellent. All glass is good, very
straight bumpers. Many hot rod and performance parts. Monte Carlo SS
fast ratio steering box and sway bars. Email me at
hotro...@verizon.net with inquiries. Thanks, Todd

[Musclecar]

This is correct. Piston slap is a condition where the piston has too
much clearance in the bore of the block. A certain amount of clearance
is necessary to allow for expansion of the piston when it heats up to
operating temperature. Too much clearance will cause a knocking when
the engine is cold and usually quiets as the engine warms up. This is
indeed from the pistons rocking back and forth in the cylinders.
This should not occur in a new engine. If it does, the factory piston
to bore clearances are out of specification and will lead to premature
failure and a high consumption of oil. If they have to tear that deep
into an engine in a car under warranty it only makes sense to replace
it completely. They are just wasting more time and risking additional
errors by trying to repair it. Such as oil leaks, water leaks, and the
list goes on & on. Not to mention the downtime for the car. Good luck
with it! Todd

[Emrys Edwards]

I have a 79 malibu 4 door that got it's front driverside corner crunched by
an idiot who came through a red light. It has a short block 350 mostly
rebuilt in it and all kinds of NEW parts - just two days before it got hit I
put about a thousand buck in parts into her - shocks and springs all around
- new front tires - brakes - catalytic converter - it has a new gas tank as
well, custom cross over pipe - edelbrock aluminium intake manifold - new
distributer - rebuilt 4bbl carb and lots of chrome
someone make me an offer e.ed...@sympatico.ca

[Shannon]

I had this happen too, at about the same mileage. I have an appointment at
the Chevy dealer tomorrow and they are going to replace the engine..

Shannon Smithburg

Spanky wrote in message <8FDFBB0ABdef...@207.211.168.84>...

[Phantom]

OK. It's been 11 days now. Did you get that engine replaced?