I am part way through a long European trip in my MY2000 Classic Turbo.
I already think I have piston slap, I get the diesel like clatter at startup, which goes away with revs or when the engine is warmed up.

During the 1000 mile drive down to Italy however, it developed a new symptom.

After a prolonged motorway cruise at high speed, when slowing down in gear the clatter suddenly reappears and can be made to go away by just revving to 3k once. This was noticed most when slowing down for tolls on the French autoroutes. We would lift off the throttle and slow down using engine breaking in 5th. As we approached the tolls the clatter would kick in.

It happened three or four times on the way down and happend after a slightly slower cruise once.

Is this normal with piston slap or is something else bad happening ?

We drive 1,1000 miles back on Monday so I am hoping all is well.

 

have you checked your oil level? piston slap should be gone when hot and only return when cold starting up.

 

My Words & Thoughts Exactly !! Have you Checked Your OIL ???!!!!

 

I checked my oil level before during and after the 1,000 mile drive to Italy. The level is fine and it has used very little oil in the 40,000 miles I have had it (it crossed the 100,000 mark while we were way).

The engine has now survived the 1,100 mile drive back, via France. There were no further occurances of the clattering when warm sound.

The engine sounds fine when warm and running (except those odd clatters that I mentioned on the way to Italy). It dealt with high speed autobahn cruising and blasting up the Stelvio Pass.

Who would people recommend in the South East (Surrey/Sussex/Hampshire are the easiest) to take a look at this? From past experience I wouldn't trust my local dealer to fault find something like this...

 

bump