another piston slap thread!
 

Hi all,

Is it possible for a 94 wrx import to suffer piston slap? I thought only 98/99 cars had this.
Im wondering if I need to go though with the hassle of booking it in with the garage for them to listen to it from cold.
When started from cold (first start of the day) my engine knocks when you blip the throttle upto 1500ish rpm. Knocks on up revs and on down revs. Ive put a diy listening stick onto the block and it sounds like piston slap/bearing noise from one side. Once warm the noise is 99% gone.
Would I be correct in saying that if i had bearing knock it would be presesnt cold and warm?
The car doesnt smoke and drives A1 when warm other than a few loose heat sheilds. Pulls like a train. Car is standard with w6 ecu.
Your opinions please.

Any excessive piston to bore clearance will cause piston slap - even on non forged pistons.
If the noise reduces as the engine warms up,then is more likely to be piston slap(worn piston skirts or bore wear). If the big ends were worn - the noise would be there all the time and the engine wouldnt last long before bottom end failure.
All the while its not using oil/smokes/drives ok - wouldnt worry too much,but bear in mind that the wear is there and will get worse over a period of time.

Mick