Piston Slap?
#1
Guest
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Piston Slap?
Recently I brought my completely stock 02 WRX in for service because I was hearing a knocking noise coming from the engine on cold startup. The noise was intermittent and would go away after the engine was warmed up. I took the car in and the timing belt tensioner was replaced. The next morning I still had the same noise. So I left it at the dealer overnight and in the morning I met with the tech and the service manager to "listen" to the engine. I was told that the problem was piston slap, and that they werent going to do anything about it because it only did it when the engine was cold, and that this was "normal" for this engine. I personally thought this was a load of BS, so I called a Subaru specialist in my area and asked them about it. They confirmed my BS assumtion. Now I am stuck trying to contact SOA so I can get a new shortblock put in. Man I hate this crap. I love the car but have had nothing but hassels with it. I had it in 3 times because the dealership couldnt seem to find the leaky axel seal in the transmission even though I told them where it was leaking each time I brought it in. Not to mention the 4 days I had to wait so they could repaint the hood because the paint was peeling off. I am sick and tired of this crap. I hope that Subaru is going to stand behind their product and replace my engine. Feel free to post your comments. Happy Driving!!
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Flatwoods, KY
Posts: 84
Car Info: 2008 Forester Sports 2.5 XT
Sorry to hear that. I hope everything works out. I gotta question though.
Did anyone actually tear the motor apart to make sure the said problem is actually the problem. I've heard of timing belts slipping, causing the valves to bend, but just a little. This makes it so they don't seat all the way, and in some cases, the piston will smack them. It sounds just like piston slap or a sticking valve. I just don't want you to go through the trouble if you haven't seen the inside yet.
Did anyone actually tear the motor apart to make sure the said problem is actually the problem. I've heard of timing belts slipping, causing the valves to bend, but just a little. This makes it so they don't seat all the way, and in some cases, the piston will smack them. It sounds just like piston slap or a sticking valve. I just don't want you to go through the trouble if you haven't seen the inside yet.
#4
can i ask you if the noise is a dull knock -or is this very load and aggressive knock,not to take the dealers side-but on all subaru engines they do make this sound do to many changes in engine design to improve torque and other aspects-would send you the (tsb) if you wish-not rulling out it may be piston slap thou-if it does go to warranty-just dont let them throw in a new piston without telling you the cylinder bore measuments and the specs-let them think that you no what ur talking about so you get the short block.
#5
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The noise is not agressive, and only apparent at low rpm's at cold startup. The dealership told me that it was piston slap, which it could be, from what I hear the piston will expand when hot and when the engine is cold the clearance on one of the pistons could be a little on the loose side fo the tolerance. Then when the engine warms up the piston expands enough to get the clearance smaller. I was told by the dealership that if the noise persisted when the engine was warmed up that the short block would be replaced and that they would not tear down the block and replace the piston. From what I hear on i-club and clubWRX the noise is normal for subaru engines due to an expanding piston and the short skirt that they use on the pistons. The piston slap shouldnt cause any damage since it goes away after warm up, so looks like I will live with the noise as long as it doesnt get any worse.
#6
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Well last night I was out, and here in Denver the temp outside last night was around 35 degrees. When I started my car the knocking piston slap noise was about 10 times louder than it has previously been and now it will not go away even when the engine is warm. So I guess it is back to the dealership so they can replace the short block. I will post what happens when I call them tomorrow.
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