1998 ls1's piston slap - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

98Gsxr750 · 10-08-2008, 03:32 PM

I am looking at a 98 camaro with about 120000 miles. I hear they get some nasty piston slap. Any help would be appreciated.

sweetbmxrider · 10-08-2008, 03:59 PM

what, no welcome thread?

you bastard!

Quote:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_LS_engine
In the early production run of the LS-series engine, some engines encountered abnormal amounts of 'piston slap' - a problem caused by too much clearance between the cylinder bore and the piston. [10] 'Piston Slap' sometimes sounds more like a knock or the sound of a diesel engine running, it is also typically worst when the engine is cold and lessens as the engine reaches operating temperature. The noise of 'Piston Slap' often is louder when listening for it below the oil pan.

JL8Jeff · 10-08-2008, 07:17 PM

Almost all LS1's have piston slap at startup, especially in cooler weather. It should go away within a minute or 2 but if it lasts longer than that you might want to pass on or adjust your offer. My 2000 SS with 46K miles has the slap for 30-60 seconds on cold startups. It doesn't do it in the summer at all.

sweetbmxrider · 10-08-2008, 10:14 PM

yes but aren't 98's known for this problem, as shown in the wikipedia quote? i really don't know for sure but i go by what i find.

Knipps, this is my buddy that was looking at your car, you are friends on facebook!

ins0mnia24 · 10-08-2008, 10:26 PM

LOL
Ask your GM representative these questions:

#1 - If my knocking Vortec engine is considered "NORMAL", are the exact same engines that don't knock considered "ABNORMAL"? If so, it sounds like the consumers that got "ABNORMAL" engines sure got lucky.

#2 - I have only one knocking cylinder in my Vortec Engine. Are the other seven cylinders in my engine "ABNORMAL"? If so, I guess I should be happy I didn't get more "NORMAL" cylinders in my engine.

#3 - Since "NORMAL" is "CAN BE EXPECTED", what in the world does "CAN BE EXPECTED" have to do with "DOESN'T NEED REPAIR"?

#4 - Why does your GM TSB# 01-06-01-005 illustrate the internal engine damage that a "COLD START TICKING SOUND" may cause on your 3.1 Liter 2000-2001 engine? This is even though it says it is "NORMAL" and causes "NO DURABILITY OR LONGEVITY ISSUES" just like your other TSB's on the V8 Vortec "Cold Start Knock" engines do.

#5 - Since "NORMAL" is defined as "CAN BE EXPECTED", how many vehicles would GM be able to sell if they told all potential consumers they could "EXPECT" to have a slapping/knocking engine that may requires 3.5 quarts of oil between oil changes during warranty while it is new (0-36K miles)?

98CamaroSS · 10-09-2008, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98Gsxr750

I am looking at a 98 camaro with about 120000 miles. I hear they get some nasty piston slap. Any help would be appreciated.

My 98 Camaro hardly has any slap noise cold or warm, yet my moms 02 Yukon has it badly on cold days and moderate on warm days, go figure.

NJ Torque · 10-09-2008, 01:05 AM

what type/weight oil are you/has the motor been run on?

Frosty · 10-09-2008, 01:06 AM

My 98 has NONE.

Your heard more slapping than a 3 Stooges episode on my '00.

SamhainZ28 · 10-09-2008, 01:59 AM

if it goes away when the engine is warm, i wouldn't worry about it

V · 10-09-2008, 08:00 AM

2001 were the worst in regards to piston slap

i had it, i also had major oil consumption issues, usually they go hand in hand... USUALLY.

Then a rod snapped and ventilated my block

now if i still have piston slap,you sure can't hear it anymore, but the '03 bottom end is said to be better.

Pampered-Z · 10-09-2008, 09:08 AM

I've got the 5.3 in my 99 GMC w/170K on it and it does sound like a bad rod knock for the first 2-3 minutes. I'm running 10-30W oil. Runs fine, still has oil pressure like it was new, just loud at startup.

98Gsxr750 · 10-09-2008, 09:21 AM

Thanks for all the responses. i haven't looked at the car because of the known piston slap. Since it seems so common I may check it out now.

NJ Torque · 10-09-2008, 09:56 AM

Check out the vette forums... like SmokingSS said, 01's were notroiusly worse... some people even had theyre car reringed cuase of it.

crainholio · 10-09-2008, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJ Torque

Check out the vette forums... like SmokingSS said, 01's were notroiusly worse... some people even had theyre car reringed cuase of it.

Did new rings cure piston slap?

alamantia · 10-09-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ins0mnia24

LOL
Ask your GM representative these questions:

#1 - If my knocking Vortec engine is considered "NORMAL", are the exact same engines that don't knock considered "ABNORMAL"? If so, it sounds like the consumers that got "ABNORMAL" engines sure got lucky.

#2 - I have only one knocking cylinder in my Vortec Engine. Are the other seven cylinders in my engine "ABNORMAL"? If so, I guess I should be happy I didn't get more "NORMAL" cylinders in my engine.

#3 - Since "NORMAL" is "CAN BE EXPECTED", what in the world does "CAN BE EXPECTED" have to do with "DOESN'T NEED REPAIR"?

#4 - Why does your GM TSB# 01-06-01-005 illustrate the internal engine damage that a "COLD START TICKING SOUND" may cause on your 3.1 Liter 2000-2001 engine? This is even though it says it is "NORMAL" and causes "NO DURABILITY OR LONGEVITY ISSUES" just like your other TSB's on the V8 Vortec "Cold Start Knock" engines do.

#5 - Since "NORMAL" is defined as "CAN BE EXPECTED", how many vehicles would GM be able to sell if they told all potential consumers they could "EXPECT" to have a slapping/knocking engine that may requires 3.5 quarts of oil between oil changes during warranty while it is new (0-36K miles)?

ha!

this too

http://www.mightyautoparts.com/pdf/articles/otl0100.pdf

ins0mnia24 · 10-09-2008, 03:52 PM

The better made LS-1's were anything made since April 01..
April 2001 Is when Gm started using a reduced Piston to bore clearance and revised Piston in all production LS-1 & 6's..

alamantia · 10-10-2008, 11:51 AM

mines a 2002 with the LS6 block and it taps away for a few minutes when its cold

MonmouthCtyAntz · 11-27-2008, 09:51 AM

piston slap is harmless...just annoying like the others have said usually on startup

NjbadSS · 11-27-2008, 09:57 AM

whats the price of the car? sounds like it shouldn't be much of a problem

98tadriver · 11-28-2008, 10:36 AM

well that and the weak connecting rod bolts, and oil pumps that go defective, which cause motors to explode, and the crappy clutch hydraulics, and the 6speeds having aluminum 3-4 shift forks which bend as opposed to the 01-02 cars having steel forks. i wont say anything about the heads being crappy though, since ive seen 11.8's @ nearly 117mph

steer clear of them. just save up and wait for something better to come along

camaro2you · 11-28-2008, 10:59 AM

i would get something newer...knock on wood 114xxx on my 98 and still running strong but......lol.

Camvill · 11-28-2008, 11:35 AM

german castrol 0w-30 FTW

sweetbmxrider · 11-28-2008, 04:49 PM

no?

Camvill · 11-28-2008, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

no?

dont tell me u use mobil 1

sweetbmxrider · 11-28-2008, 05:46 PM

i'll tell you i don't use 0w30 in winter. that's what i'll tell you.