Piston slap

[lannvouivre]

Here are my symptoms for the interested:

• On cold mornings (40 degrees F and less), I hear a rattling, diesel-y noise emanating from my engine bay; even my BF notices it
• Noise goes away before the engine is fully warmed up
• No sign of oil consumption yet--got the same amount of oil out of my car as I had put in it the previous oil change, no smoke, which is why I'm hoping it's not slap

I talked to my automechanics instructor who has 30 years of experience in engine repair, and after I told him the symptoms, he said it was piston slap, but not to worry because it can run a long time like that. While it made me happy that I had the correct information, I'm still sad that this is my car we're talking about.

Does anyone else have any input? Anywhere I can tape my phone in the engine bay safely to get a recording of the sound on a cold morning?

[Rayven01]

Haven't read much about piston slap being a problem in our engines... Possibility it might be drive belt tensioner?

Does it sound like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa2nJnbjvBs

[lannvouivre]

It doesn't sound like that, but I will now be watching...er, listening for that noise. I have checked all the pulleys by hand and they were good, although that was months ago.

I've only heard it from inside the cabin since it's only that cold in the morning, and in the mornings I always have to take someone somewhere fast. Once I've reached my destination, the sound is long gone. I should be able to check tomorrow morning if it's cold enough, though.

[Chiadog]

[quote="lannvouivre"

• On cold mornings (40 degrees F and less), I hear a rattling, diesel-y noise emanating from my engine bay; even my BF notices it.
  [/quote]
  
  Replace the Boyfriend!
  Seriously, No piston slap without smoking/burning oil ; just my $2 (inflation )
  I agree with rayven01. Belt slap with cold,stiff serpentine belt.
  chiadog

[tgferg67]

My 2003 with 160k has piston slap as you described.

[biodieselrabbit]

Could we get a recording of the sound? Maybe lannvouivre or tgferg67 could provide?

[Salsa Guy]

I would think if it was piston slap you would see oil loss.

[lannvouivre]

I tried getting a recording of it with the phone, but it can't pick the sound up from inside the car. I think I'd have to tape it inside the engine bay. Not only that, but the weather's warming up.

Any idea of how fast slap might burn oil? I have a picture of the dipstick the day I changed the oil (hot engine, just after the change) showing the level of oil, so monitoring changes should be easy. I really wish I could just strip the engine down and take measurements, but I'm inexperienced, lack equipment, and don't have another car.

[tgferg67]

Mine burns absolutely no oil at 160k, just slaps until warmed up when the temp is below 45 deg.

This is what is happening
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_I3yMrSOfw