FIGHT BACK AGAINST PISTON SLAP DEFECTS

BigBlackMotor · February 7, 2002

My 2001 8.1 Liter engine in my 2500 HD is knocking louder and longer as the miles role on. If your engine has the dreaded COLD START KNOCK or PISTON SLAP defect, you may want to participate in two new initiatives at the gmpistonslap web site.

http://www.gmpistonslap.cjb.net

Thanks!

CMNTMXR81 · February 7, 2002

I think mine may be suffering from something like this. It sure takes awhile to quiet down when it's first started.

I also noticed that it was nearly 2 quarts low on oil before I changed it last. Now big blocks use "some" oil, but not 2 quarts!

DaveRuane · February 7, 2002

I CONSIDER THIS PISTON SLAP WEBSITE, AND THE WHOLE ISSUE A SCAM.... :plainsmile:

CMNTMXR81 · February 7, 2002

I read the site and the TSB mentioned is for GM's 3.1L 60 degree V6 with piston knock at least on the front page. It's mentioned in the TSB section. But as an FYI, this isn't a new issue on the V6. It has been one for as long as GM started using the 60 degree V6 in it's various displacements as a mainstream engine. I'm not saying their isn't a TSB for a similar situation on other GM engines, but if there are (and I believe there is) post the TSB's on that website to prove that it's a common occurence throughout the engine lineup.

What's particularly at fault is the wrist pin on the connecting rod that fails causing the piston slap. it will generally fail within the standard "break-in" time of the engines life up to about 5,000 miles. If it hasn't presented itself before then, the engine will last forever provided you perform normal routine maintance on it. This is a problem that'll show up right away so you should be well within warranty for GM to fix it.

I've done about 6 of these 2.8/3.1L V6 transplants due to this problem, all were done under GM warranty with no questions asked. Only one of those replaced engines came back for the same thing. So it would seem to me that GM addressed and remedied the problem at least on the 60 degree V6's to some success.

So as I previously stated, unless I see those TSB's on your website for other engines suffering from the malady, I fail to see the point in your campaign. Sounds to me you didn't get the answers you wanted to hear from your service department and now you are seeking revenge.

BigBlackMotor · February 7, 2002

There's a menu item that links to the TSB's associated with COLD START KNOCK on the V8's along with GM's TSB saying oil usage at a rate of 1qt per 2K miles is fine if, the engine has less than 36K miles and the vehicle is less than 8,500 GVW. I don't go that far between oil changes but, a standard 7,500 mile (recommended) interval would have you opening 4 quarts to add between oil changes on a brand new engine. This was put out to cover up the piston slap engines.

You are correct! I did not get the answer I was looking for when I complained. The answer was "You have the piston slap problem and GM is engineering new pistons that will resolve it". "They'll be out in late 2001 or early 2002 and we'll fix your engine then". "the next answer was "GM now says its normal and they're not going to work on these vehicles". This promise was made to me by two dealers and the GM Customer Assistance line. Since brininging up the site two weeks ago, I've registered over 30 people with their VIN#s who can give me the names of the people who told the same lie. You can call it revenge or a scam if you want. Your entitled to your own opinion. Fact is there is no shortage of people that aren't going to let GM cover this up and not live up to their commitments.

http://www.gmpistonslap.cjb.net

CMNTMXR81 · February 8, 2002

Yes, I saw the TSB's for the 6.0L motor once I searched your site a little. You're campaign is against GM's new Vortec truck motors and not against GM's 60 degree V6. As such, I would think one would want to put the pertanent info pertaining to these V8's on your front page rather than the V6's.

Good luck in your campaign. I'm just on the other side of the fence as I used to work in a service department and saw sh*t like this all the time. Somebody gets their BVD's in a bundle and then raises #### with GM.

BigBlackMotor · February 8, 2002

Thanks for the well wishes. I'm rallying support for all the GM piston slap owners. Yes, I have a V8 and so do most of the folks who have registered. The reason I post the TSB on V6 is that it starts off with some with some of the exact same wording in it that the TSB's on the V8's have (which GM keeps throwing back at the sonsumers who complain). Its "NORMAL" and "poses no impact to engine durability or longevity". "Is an interaction with the piston and cylinder wall" and etc. The difference is, it states if the customer is persistent with his complaint the Technician should go ahead and drop the oil pan to inspect the pistons. It then goes on to show illustrations of the damage the Technician might expect to see when he does inspect it. The irony involved is why I ask people to be aware of this TSB.

My engine (8.1 Liter) is not mentioned in any of the TSBs. However the Customer Assistance Center personnel, multiple dealers and the ASM say "Welll the other TSB's really pertain to it." "They just need to update them".

I work in a customer service environment as well. I understand what its like to catch #### from customers. Sometimes its not warranted. Sometimes it is!!!!! I have to believe that if you paid $36K for anything and got the double talk, Lies and BS we all have on this piston slap crap, you would probably have your "BVDs" in a wad also.

In the short term, this little $30 Billion problem hitting the fan will sound like a bad deal to GM Execs, most of their employees and investors. The truth of the matter is, if GM doesn't stop this type of behavior, its not going to be a place people can earn a living in the long haul.......Good Luck!!!