http://www.pistonslap.com
Looks like GM might be having a few problems with their newer motor lines.
Looks like GM might be having a few problems with their newer motor lines.
rbohm said:actually piston slap is when the piston hits the cylinder wall with an audible noise. the piston does rock back and forth in the cylinder, but clearances are usually tight enough to prevent the noise being audible. as clearance grows, the slapping sounds becomes audible, usually when the engine is cold, and going away when the engine warms up and the clearances tighten up. if you look at the piston skirt, you will see an area that is scuffed. that is the kind of damage you get with piston slap. it causes excess wear, and higher friction in the cylinder, and requires more power to move the piston. at some point the engine will fail as a result of piston slap, but usuall the bearings get the blame for spinning rather than the piston. when the rod bearing clearances open up, if the head gasket, and the deck hieght are thin enough, then the added clearance can allow the piston to hit the head and cause real damage, like bent valve, broken pistons, bad head gasket, etc. the marks you see on the cylinder wall are scuff marks from the piston, and not actually gouges, though there will be some deformity of the cylinder wall.