[garype]

I'm a rookie in this forum and a mechanical novice at best. I can change things like oil, batt, alt, belts, but that's where my knowledge ends.

What is piston slap and at what mileage did it start on your '01? I'm around 40k right now. How can it be avoided?

I know what you're saying on the warranty thing. I've found the dealer makes no more effort to find a problem than a local mechanic, if the problem doesn't happen consistently (ie when they look at it in the shop, even when they hear it while driving), then there's obviously no problem and you're stupid for bringing it in. I got the gmpp warranty more for lemon insurance, I figure if it turns out to be one, hopefully I'll know it before 72k miles.

Anyway, I love the ride of the Chevy. Much less cab noise than Dodge/Ford and the power on the Chevy is night and day compared to Ford.