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Car Forum / Chevrolet / Chevrolet Malibu / May 2005Piston Slap - engine knock
My 2001 Malibu V6 knocks for about the first 3 minutes when cold. I believe it is actually Piston Slap. Can anyone please tell me more about the problems this creates and what can be done to minimize any damage. I learned from somebody in this NG about piston slap just after our Malibu went out of warranty. Apparently it is something that occurs on 2001 and newer 3.1L V6 engines due to GM using skirted pistons. Apparently that additional 20HP came at a price. I would like to learn more, especially how to make this engine last as long as possible, or if GM is doing anything about this problem. Thank you for any insight you can provide! - Duane >>My 2001 Malibu V6 knocks for about the first 3 minutes when cold. I believe >>it is actually Piston Slap. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >>I would like to learn more, especially how to make this engine last as long >>as possible, or if GM is doing anything about this problem. The problem is related to using short skirted pistons. Apparently the fix is to replace the pistons with short skirted pistons that have teflon on them to reduce the slapping. Is GM doing anything about the problem? Yes, they are basically ignoring it. Since your car is out of warranty, drive it until it dies, or get rid of it (it's an expensive repair). The latest I have heard is that GM now says that piston slap up to 20 minutes is now considered "normal". When my 2001 Malibu had piston slap, they said that it was still slapping after 5 minutes and needed to be repaired. They tore the engine down and discovered that two of the cylinder walls were scored. Scored cylinder walls = new engine. GM paid for it under warranty. > The latest I have heard is that GM now says that piston slap up to 20 > minutes is now considered "normal". > When my 2001 Malibu had piston slap, they said that it was still > slapping after 5 minutes and needed to be repaired. They tore the > engine down and discovered that two of the cylinder walls were scored. Brad, thanks for your reply. I'm just curious, how many miles did you have when they found the scoured walls and how many minutes did your Piston Slap last after startup? Also, did the new Teflon pistons eliminate the noise completely, or did it just shorten the time? Thanks again, - Duane >>Brad, thanks for your reply. I'm just curious, how many miles did you have >>when they found the scoured walls and how many minutes did your Piston Slap >>last after startup? 42,000 kms (26,000 miles) They just said that it was stil slapping after 5 minutes and that it needed work. >>Also, did the new Teflon pistons eliminate the noise completely, or did it >>just shorten the time? I didn't get the new teflon coated pistons....they had to replace the engine, so I think I got the old style pistons again. I empathize and wish I could help. No wonder GM is a ghost of the old company. Will they be around in 10 or 15 years? Next China will be eating their lunch! Seamus J. Wilson > My 2001 Malibu V6 knocks for about the first 3 minutes when cold. I believe > it is actually Piston Slap. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Thank you for any insight you can provide! > - Duane China eating their lunch???? (care to make a guess where the current 3.1L's are sourced?) > I empathize and wish I could help. > No wonder GM is a ghost of the old company. Will they be around in 10 or 15 [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Thank you for any insight you can provide! > > - Duane >>China eating their lunch???? >>(care to make a guess where the current 3.1L's are sourced?) 3.1L are made in Tonawonda, New York. SOME of the 3.4L engines (for the Equinox) are coming from China. So, I slipped on the details, but luncheon IS served..... > >>China eating their lunch???? > >>(care to make a guess where the current 3.1L's are sourced?) > 3.1L are made in Tonawonda, New York. > > SOME of the 3.4L engines (for the Equinox) are coming from China. Got a 1998 3.1 Malibu with piston slap So, I slipped on the details, but luncheon IS served..... > On Sat, 14 May 2005 22:18:06 -0400, "Chris" <an.other@not_here.ca> > wrote: [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > SOME of the 3.4L engines (for the Equinox) are coming from China. I've got the same problem. I'm using Lucas oil additive and the slapping is greatly reduced. (I put the whole bottle in each oil change). > I've got the same problem. I'm using Lucas oil additive and the slapping is > greatly reduced. (I put the whole bottle in each oil change). For the record I have a 2000 malibu V6 3.1L with the same issue. Slaps for about 20mins till warmed up. Also accompanied by a rattling sound sometimes. BTW, my car has 45,000 miles. I definately expect more than 45,000 miles from an engine before needing repair. I'm very disappointed in chevys support for the various malibu's issues. They really dropped the ball on this one. For the poster using an oil additive. How many miles does you malibu have? >> I've got the same problem. I'm using Lucas oil additive and the slapping >> is greatly reduced. (I put the whole bottle in each oil change). [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > For the poster using an oil additive. How many miles does you malibu > have? I am definatly glad I settled on a Classic with the 2.2L ECOTEC > I am definatly glad I settled on a Classic with the 2.2L ECOTEC Hear Hear. For those stuck with these lowlife V6 engines, anyone consider taking out an extended auto warranty? All of those warranties cover major engine parts. I think there is a 90-day waiting period when you're outside of the manufacturers warranty period, but the engines shouldn't fail totally in that time. JP  SignatureJP White mailto:jpwhite3@bellsouth.net >>For the record I have a 2000 malibu V6 3.1L with the same issue. Slaps >>for about 20mins till warmed up. Also accompanied by a rattling sound >>sometimes. Does the rattling sound similar to something like a heat plate being loose? I get that sound sometimes on acceleration, but the dealer techs have not been able to find it yet. It was not there before I had the lower intake manifold gasket replaced. >>>For the record I have a 2000 malibu V6 3.1L with the same issue. Slaps >>>for about 20mins till warmed up. Also accompanied by a rattling sound [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > not been able to find it yet. It was not there before I had the lower > intake manifold gasket replaced. It's hard to describe the rattling sound or what it mite me since I'm not a mechanic. What I do know for sure is the sound comes from the passenger side where the fan belt is. The sound appears at random regardless of engine temp. Altho, I've never heard it on acceleration. This is driving me nuts cuz I finally decided to sell the car and these strange noises start showing up. One thing I've learned is no one wants these cars not even chevy dealers. Every dealer I talk to low-ball this cars value. Guess I'll have to sell it myself. I do wish the piston slap & strange rattling noise could be fixed by chevy. Since I'm outta my warranty period. I have read that chevy has extended the warranty on these engines to 6yrs/100,000 miles for anyone who calls. I wonder if that would include coverage for anyone who has bought a used malibu. Anyone can go to www.pistonslap.com to find out some more info about this piston slap crap. >>>>For the record I have a 2000 malibu V6 3.1L with the same issue. Slaps >>>>for about 20mins till warmed up. Also accompanied by a rattling sound [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > bought a used malibu. Anyone can go to www.pistonslap.com to find out > some more info about this piston slap crap. Try selling it to CarMax. >>>>>For the record I have a 2000 malibu V6 3.1L with the same issue. Slaps >>>>>for about 20mins till warmed up. Also accompanied by a rattling sound [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > Try selling it to CarMax. Interesting site. Altho they dont have any locations in my area. I'm in CT and the closest would be Baltimore. Mine has 90,000 miles on it. Just started the slapping within the last month. |
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