conalex

Hello all, first time poster but long time reader.

I've got a question regarding my UK '96 Impreza Turbo. When I start it up from cold I get a little 'Piston Slap', the piston seems a little loose in the bore/cylinder and it rattles until the engine warms up. Once the engine is warm the car is fine. I took it to a local Suburu specialist and they said that I shouldn't worry about it too much as it wont do any harm.

My only concern is that I do tend to drive the car quite hard (can't help it) and I don't wont to cause any serious problem internally. The last thing I want is an engine re-build!

Am I being a little too cautious or should I get this problem sorted? If so, what's involved and how much do you think it would cost?

conalex

BTTT

Anyone got any advice? I'm a little unsure what needs to be done, any help would be appreciated....

scoobyslut

It is a very common problem with these units,but apart from either "living with it" as it does take some time to get any worse or louder as the case may be,or, its engine out and replace the offending undersize piston. There are modified pistons available for this particular fault. But at the end of the day, its your option, the only other thing to consider is its resale value, as someone else listening to it, may want to drop the price to accomodate for this repair so to speak.
So, yep, down to you, your choice of the options. But be assured, no real damage is being done, the freeplay in undersize is minimal.

John at J&S

We heard from an airplane guy tryng to use our knock detector. He said there was too much engine noise for it to work.

I asked him what the piston to wall clearance was, and he said 0.080. About 30 times sloppier than an automotive engine.

conalex

Cheers lads, thanks for the advice.

I 'll think I'll just have to live with it as the alternative is a little too pricey.

Cheers

JIM THEO

Can I ask you something, the slapping noise is audible from the first second you turn on the key or it needs the revs to drop below a level as my WRX03 has a slight noise that seems piston slap but is audible only below 1350 rpms (with this weather engine starts from 1600 rpms) and until the engine is full warmed, I already changed belt tensioner and wonder is it injector's noise?
From the other hand I suffer from oil consumption and this is an serious indication for piston slap do you?
JIM