1994 Ciera engine banging

[dupo24]

I have the 3.1L and there is a loud banging coming from the back firewall side of the engine. the engine does not shake, it runs fine, just a huge banging sound. The sound varies with idle speed. I think it's a rod, Am I right, and how would I fix this?

Dupo

[GTP Dad]

This sounds like a rod or the more common piston slap. Piston slap occurs when the clearance gets too great and the piston hits the side of the cylinder wall. Either way the only way to repair this is to rebuild the engine or replace it.

[dupo24]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

This sounds like a rod or the more common piston slap. Piston slap occurs when the clearance gets too great and the piston hits the side of the cylinder wall. Either way the only way to repair this is to rebuild the engine or replace it.

yeah...thats what I hear..thanks for replying..

[Ardan]

Interesting. I was just scanning the forums and saw the title. My '94 Ciera has done the banging occaisonally upon startup during mornings, but it goes away after i've been driving it...doesn't happen again that day. Good to know...it doesn't seem to bother the car at all (the engine runs unbelievably well), so I won't bother with it. Good to know what it is though!