ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

Because they want to ensure that the problem is caused by a manufacture defect and not neglect or abuse.

Piston slap at that mileage can be either premature wear from negelct and abuse or poor manufacturing tolerances and/or materials.

If you say it clears up in five minutes, I can't really see them taking it on as being a serious problem, as many other engines display piston slap within the first 5mins of starting.

dr jim

iTrader: (1)

What kind of neglect/abuse can lead to piston slap ?

RJL_WRX05

To be honest I personally would not pursue the matter unless the car is burning excessive oil and/or has running problems. My 05 WRX taps/knocks now and again when its really cold but then disappears in a few mins. My old VR6 used to knock really load for about 5mins but would then disappear, I put 40k miles on that car with no problems whatsoever (car had 65k on it when I sold it). Maybe check compression/leak down to make sure everyhting is ok and then live with it.

I personally would not want the hassle involved with a dealer stripping down a factory assembled almost new engine if it is not essential. However I am slightly biased as my faith in dealers is nil.

dr jim

iTrader: (1)

Many thanks to David at API and Simon at OPI Oils for there advice,
Before i take things any further with the dealer i am going to change to a diffrent grade of oil and see what happens. Fingers crossed hopefully this will resolve the problem. will keep you posted of the out come.

STi8 Mate

Had two engines replaced in my 2003 STi, both for piston slap, and now on my third, which also slapped until March even though it's only been in the car since Jan this year. If you have slap in the current warm weather it must be bad. When we get to next winter you will really know all about it. My first engine lasted about as long as yours before slapping. Second one only just about made 9 months and 15,000 miles. The final one lasted about a week and 1,000 miles before it crept in. The current one is OK now but I know the slap will startup up again come November. I have never had one slap on idle, it comes in under light load when cold. For example if you have to reverse up a sloping drive straight after starting. It's not wear-and-tear, it's a fault, albeit not a very serious one. I wouldn't pay to have it fixed unless it got quite bad. Having said that it does make a car seem old before its time. Mostly comes down to whether you can live with it. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

dr jim

iTrader: (1)

It kind of reasuring that you have piston slap as well let alone have had 3 engines !!!.Mine not present on idle only if you gentle rev it or pulling away slow. When you say yours is okay now what did you have fixed ? What oil are you running?

STi8 Mate

I came to the end of my warranty at the last engine change and by the time a Subaru Tech Man came to see it we were in May, and too warm to show symtoms. They made a note in the cars file for any future consideration. I decided not to fight them just to have my car pulled to bits again for little improvement. If I still have the car next winter and it gets bad I will be in touch. I have had a deposit down on a 2006 STi for some time. The 3 engines in my STi and two in my MY97 make me wonder if I really should buy another Impreza even if neither ever let me down in 180,000 miles. I use the Shell Helix that IM seem to prefer. 10W-40 Semi Synth I think. My dealer would always use the same.

dr jim

iTrader: (1)

it is intresting with what you say about piston slap because subaru UK have assured me it is not a problem on newage cars but when reading back through these posts it is apprant this is not the case. Maybe the problem has still not been resovled and a small amount of cars still have this problem and subaru will not admit it. I think the noise has been greatly reduced (my 97 slapped very loud to it was warm) but the issue is still there. Maybe people could post if they have had slap and the outcome with subaru ?

dr jim

iTrader: (1)

Changed oil to 15w 50 yesterday took for a drive engine appeared to be a lot more quiet. Anyway started it up this morning...............No noise at all
Now the ambient temp is quiet high this morning (22 deg C) and may have played a part in it being quiet. I suppose the real test will be when the ambient cools down a bit !

But have got to say i am feeling slighty more confident than the thinner oil may have played apart in the noise i was hearing even though the dealer confirmed this as piston slap.

I suppose time will tell just keeping my fingers crossed.

Many thanks to David at API and Oilman as this seems for the moment to have corrrected the slight knocking during cold starts.

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

Good Luck doc, told you so - what do Subaru know about the right oil for their engines ?? Talk to the ' experts '

David APi