Engine Noise -Lifter ??? Piston???

[straydawg]

I have a 2001 2dr coupe- 3300 mi. On a cold start the motor will make a "Ticking " noise, seems to get quieter after about 3-4 min,then will resurface when motor revved. I have had it into the dealer and they have told me that they have had allot of complaints about that noise on the type motor. They also said that it was making that ticking noise because the motor had a short piston sleeve . I have heard some other 2001 vettes and they don't make this noise, Has anyone else had to deal with this noise , and is this a good answer from the dealer ? - What should I do next ?

 

[Mr. Lucky]

Assuming you don't have internal engine damage and are using the recommended 5w30 Mobil-1, switching to a high-flow oil filter (like the K&N or Baldwin B-31) will resolve this. The OEM filter was designed for filtration, not flow.

BTW, welcome to

 

[Dom]

I had a similar issue with my 2001, with 48k miles. After a bottle of Techron adn a good 50 mile drive on the highway and my issue seems to have disappeared for the time being

 

[straydawg]

Dom- O'Reilly's Auto Parts has no idea what " Techron adn "is ? is it a Gas or Oil additive ? Where can I get it ?

 

[Dom]

Sorry - Fat fingers
Techron gas additive - http://www.chevron.com/products/prodserv/fuels/techron/techback.shtml

I bought it at autozone

 

[Remo]

Dom,

My 2001 has 16,000 miles on it and I first noticed it at about 7,000 miles. I starting using Techron and the isssue was cleared up. I put Techron through it about three times a year.

Remo:cool

 

[Dom]

good to know
I was affraid that using it 2 or three times might be too much

Thx Remo (I promise no more mention of the white stuff)

 

[cerberus]

Is the Techron better stuff than the 1234515 (or whatever series of numbers I've seen c4c5 refer to when talking about the fuel additive they use at the dealer)? I'm fixing to run some through my rig, but want to purchase the better product. Or... are they about the same?

 

[Remo]

Is the Techron better stuff than the 1234515 (or whatever series of numbers I've seen c4c5 refer to when talking about the fuel additive they use at the dealer)? I'm fixing to run some through my rig, but want to purchase the better product. Or... are they about the same?

Cerberus - I think you'll find that c4c5 (Paul) recommends either product. Both will give the same results.

Dom - Thanks for not mentioning the dreaded snow season. I'm already starting to get depressed.

Remo:cool

 

[Danny Looney]

In regard to roller lifter noise, some is acceptable . Techron contains butyl
cellusolve which is designed to keep injectors clean. It may also have the effect of partail cleaning of the tulip on the intake valve as well as removing some carbon build -up on tops of pistons. All fuel is unleaded, and with GM's program
of injection and timing--there should not be that much buil-up. As for other
engine noises, GM performance small blocks have had piston-slap since old
L-82 days. It's all about forged pistons with pressed pins, noise is eliminated
with full-floating pins. LS-1 platforms have pressed--LS-2 is full-floater, a
tremendous improvement along with many others.

 

[cerberus]

Mine's still a ticker and I just ran a full tank with a bottle of 1234515 through it. Should I switch filters the next time I change the oil? Should I now try a bottle of the Techron? Both? Or is this piston slap noise a thing I'll just have to get used to? Mines an 02 with almost 23k miles on it......

 

[DRTH VTR]

search "piston slap"

Do a search using "piston slap". I looked at a few of the threads and provide links to a couple of them where Paul (aka c4c5 specialist) provides some information.
Jim

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64547&highlight=piston+slap

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36721&highlight=piston+slap

 

[Greg Gore]

Piston Slap

Piston slap is not a concern in an otherwise good engine and I would personally not take the engine apart to fix it unless it was really objectionable. An aluminum piston contracts when it cools down so the running clearance will be greater in a cold engine. It needs enough clearance so that it can expand and contract during normal temperature cycles and perform its job which is to seal and transfer combustion pressure and perform properly for an acceptable life. Piston slap results from piston to bore clearance that is sufficient to produce the noise. OEM likes to employ cast pistons where ever possible because they can survive with tighter piston to bore clearances causing them to run much quieter but costing a penalty in increased friction. Cast pistons have integral steel thermal struts that control diminensional change during warm-up so the specified piston skirt to bore clearances can be made intentionally tighter. Forged pistons expand and contract more, require more running clearance and are somewhat noiser by design but they are stronger and run better. Engines that have excessive piston slap have more than the piston designer's specified clearance and the only fix is to replace the pistons to reduce the piston to bore clearance. Piston slap is usually more pronounced right after a cold start and should diminish as the engine reaches operating temperature. Piston slap is also more noticeable at idle and right off idle under light acceleration. If your engine does not exhibit these traits you have something besides piston slap. Piston slap is really not all that bad. If you could put a quiet exhaust on a good racing engine you would hear a lot of piston noise. Increased piston to bore clearance reduces friction and is specified intentionally for purpose built competition engines. As C4C5specialist said it is only an annoyance but if it bothers you GM does have a bulletin and a piston to fix it.

Regards, Greg