Piston Slap in LS1....

I have a 2002 Camaro SS LS1. I only have 601 miles on the car, and I haven't really noticed piston slap, but I've been hearing and reading things that claim I may experience this. If anything, on a cold start I may hear a slight tick or flutter, but that is it. Supposedly, GM is trying to tell people that this type of noise is "normal". I don't believe it's normal at all and from what I understand, it is the O-ring seal between the oil pump screen and the oil pump, whereby the seal may be cut which can cause aeration of the oil.

I have an appointment Wednesday morning with my Dealer so they can check it out, and at least this way I'm still covered under Warranty and it will be documented.

I was wondering if anyone else out there has encountered this? According to GM Service Bulletin #02-06-038 (12/02/02), it pertains to 2001-2002 Camaros, 5.7L LS1s, as well as several other vehicles.

Thanks for any info!

ok, first off, im a GM tech, corvettes mostly, but work on everything.

the problem you are referring to is normal, it is a product of the aluminum construction of the block and components, which expand more than normal under heat, meaning they need looser clearnaces, meaning while cold you may hear some piston slap. also with the oil problem, there is a known problem with the piston rings, and excessive blowby on all LS1s, i have personaly done one corvette, and my boss has done three so far. no camaros to date. the leaking oil seal is mostly vettes in my experience, but i suppose seeing as its the same engien camaros could have it as well.

hope that clears up a few things.

02 ss? :drool:

I have a 2002 Camaro SS LS1. I only have 601 miles on the car, and I haven't really noticed piston slap, but I've been hearing and reading things that claim I may experience this. If anything, on a cold start I may hear a slight tick or flutter, but that is it. Supposedly, GM is trying to tell people that this type of noise is "normal". I don't believe it's normal at all and from what I understand, it is the O-ring seal between the oil pump screen and the oil pump, whereby the seal may be cut which can cause aeration of the oil.

I have an appointment Wednesday morning with my Dealer so they can check it out, and at least this way I'm still covered under Warranty and it will be documented.

I was wondering if anyone else out there has encountered this? According to GM Service Bulletin #02-06-038 (12/02/02), it pertains to 2001-2002 Camaros, 5.7L LS1s, as well as several other vehicles.

Thanks for any info!

Thanks for the info. 89IROC&RS. I wonder now if I should keep my appointment with the Dealer, for they told me the same thing you did in that they haven't had to do any Camaros yet. Probably not a bad idea to have them check the seal any way.

ok, first off, im a GM tech, corvettes mostly, but work on everything.

the problem you are referring to is normal, it is a product of the aluminum construction of the block and components, which expand more than normal under heat, meaning they need looser clearnaces, meaning while cold you may hear some piston slap. also with the oil problem, there is a known problem with the piston rings, and excessive blowby on all LS1s, i have personaly done one corvette, and my boss has done three so far. no camaros to date. the leaking oil seal is mostly vettes in my experience, but i suppose seeing as its the same engien camaros could have it as well.

hope that clears up a few things.

Sorry for the double post, being new to the board I clicked the wrong "reply" button.

Thanks for the info. 89IROC&RS. I wonder now if I should keep my appointment with the Dealer, for they told me the same thing you did in that they haven't had to do any Camaros yet. Probably not a bad idea to have them check the seal any way.

02 ss? :drool:

Yea, it's the same color as your camaro. I'd post a pic of it but I haven't figured out how to do that yet.

What IROC said and the fact that pistons with short skirts tend to do this when it is cold. Now if it continues to happen when it is warm, then you need to go check it out. I have a friend with one and it kept ticking even when it was warm. Everyone told him that is was normal for an LS1. I thought that it was too much tapping to be piston slap. Well I finally convinced him to take it to the dealer and quite a few of his lifters has turned in there lifter bores a bit. Not good for a roller cam.

What IROC said and the fact that pistons with short skirts tend to do this when it is cold. Now if it continues to happen when it is warm, then you need to go check it out. I have a friend with one and it kept ticking even when it was warm. Everyone told him that is was normal for an LS1. I thought that it was too much tapping to be piston slap. Well I finally convinced him to take it to the dealer and quite a few of his lifters has turned in there lifter bores a bit. Not good for a roller cam.

Thanks Hypsi87, the pic really helps me to visualize better what is going on.

Does the Dealer have some sort of test that they run on the car to determine if this is a problem, or perhaps, if it could become one down the road? I appologize if I'm asking a dumb question, I'm just a gal trying to protect my investment.

What picture? The picture that is in my sig is of my old TE-60 Turbo.(I now have a TE-63 Q-trim :evillol: )

What picture? The picture that is in my sig is of my old TE-60 Turbo.(I now have a TE-63 Q-trim :evillol: )

Nah, I got mixed up with a post from another Board (not a camaro board but a sports board) and I cut and pasted it in your post.

Sorry for the confusion, but thanks for the response!

the only test is to open it up, well other than just listening to it, every shop has a few old goats that get called into problems like yours, and work from expereince, they can tell from the sound 70% of the time what the problem is. other than that it takes a physcial tear down and visual inspection.

I have an 02 WS6 and also have it. It occurs when engine is cold and some times when it is warm also. But it is hard to detect and you have to try to hear it. some times when it does it real bad it almost sounds like a diesel. Ive had the car for over a year and last winter when it was real bad. I thought it was a warped pushrod or something i took it to the dealership and they told me it was normal on ls1. But they didnt say it was piston slap. sometimes i notice it now when i first start it but either its not as bad as it used to be or i have become accustom to it and dont notice it as much.

ummmm if it sounds like a diesl it aint normal. and if it does it warm it aint normal. at least you have a record of taking it in complaining of it, if something lets go, take it back and be like hey, you said there was nothing wrong, now you get to fix it.