Piston Slap?

[Booster-Shot]

Hey, I tried searching for this but found nothing useful.

A car Im thinking of buying has a low slapping noise. Im not sure what it is. My friend had a car whose engine was about to blow and I could hear the slapping from ten feet away in my car.

This sound like I said is pretty quiet. And its not constant, I would have to say once in every 10 seconds if that? And I didnt let the car warm up all the way if that makes a lick of a difference. The car is a 92 awd. If I buy the car will I have to rebuild the engine? Im sorry I couldnt add any more information.

 

[GST98BIG16G]

lifters maybe? just let it warm up and then see how its running dont forget to check for smoke color better not be one Check oil level

 

[gixrman]

Does it only do it when its cold? I've heard of piston slap from forged pistons but was usally due to improper machining.

 

[nuclearpenguin]

Out of curiosity what's the mileage?
Was it a ticking? Maybe it was lifter tick. Use a screwdriver as a tethoscope to try and pinpoint the source. I think if you were off timing and the valves were slapping the piston, the car wouldn't run for long (speaking from experience )

 

[Booster-Shot]

I didnt get to stay with the car until it warmed up, I was running late as it was.

Say that it was to go away, would I be in the clear?

And if it didnt what then?

Well, Im not sure if ticking is a good way to describe the sound. I THINK I have lifter tick on my Talon, but I mean Ive never been around another running DSM so its hard to assume all of this stuff from what I read on the forums.


The car is all stock down to its paper air filter. The idle also jumps, but I can hear hissing in the engine bay so its probably some random vacuum leak. I think thats why they are selling it so cheap.

The mileage is 135,000. I dont know if the timming belt was changed, but by the level of maintince done on the car(it looks like they took it to the factory everytime)

 

[Booster-Shot]

Im actually going down to look at it again in like 10 minutes so I want to hear your guys' advise.

The car is a 92 laser awd, 5 speed, all 100% stock, starts up fine with no missing pieces. They are asking 1200 for it. Even if it was to need a rebuild in the near future would it be worth it?

 

[DSMunknown]

Does it only do it when its cold? I've heard of piston slap from forged pistons but was usally due to improper machining.

In my understanding, forged pistons are notorious for "slapping" at start-up. This is because they are not yet at operating temeratures. If the car was upgraded with forged pistons, the noise would subside after the engine was warmed up.

 

[gixrman]

In my understanding, forged pistons are notorious for "slapping" at start-up. This is because they are not yet at operating temeratures. If the car was upgraded with forged pistons, the noise would subside after the engine was warmed up.

True that was my understanding also. With the exception that Forged piston clearance is somewhat differant than cast.

On a side note though, wow a cherry 1g AWD thats non modded. Thats pretty rare, almost as rare as a stock Supra.

 

[xioca]

I got my 92 tsi awd for 1100 off the repo line bone stock, but it was a auto... so you have a good deal at hand. By the way my neighbor has a stock twin turbo supra.

 

[dieseltech]

i want that supra, ha. couldn't afford it anyway. If the car is clean without dents and rust and it's awd and turbo'd then i'd say you have a hell of a deal. Even if the engine shoots craps when you drive it home ( i hope that dosen't happen or i'll feel bad I purchased my 91 n/t automatic for 900. Granted it's the absolute cleanest stock DSM i've ever seen i feel like i got a real good deal. Especially since i live in the midwest. Good luck.