6.0L piston slap

sbeer5432 · 08-28-2009, 04:27 PM

Thought I would just see what anybody else has done about this. My 2002 Gmc Sierra 1500HD has the piston slap noise. Really sounds like lifters for about a minute when starting and then goes away. But still hear it a little bit. 87,000 miles. Does not smoke or burn oil. Has plenty of power but is just annoying to me. Any suggestions?

mudseeker · 08-28-2009, 05:03 PM

it's because the piston skirts are so short on these engines.

hotrodpc · 08-28-2009, 06:55 PM

Yep, Mud is right. Its common, get used to it. They were actually considered skirtless pistons, but its my understanding GM went ahead and added small skirts to control the noise abit due to all the complaints, even though there was really nothing wrong. I think it was 03 when they skirted the pistons to cure the noise after complaints from 99-02. Just learn to live with it, its normal and nothing wrong.

mudseeker · 08-28-2009, 06:58 PM

you could always go aftermarket and maybe add a few other things while you're in there.

hotrodpc · 08-28-2009, 07:01 PM

Good idea. Replace the pistons, some moly rings, and while your at it, add a turbo and some big injectors. That ought to take care of that slap noise. Never mind that whining noise though. Its just the turbo. Get used to that too.

stumpuller454 · 08-29-2009, 07:27 PM

mine does the same thing done it for ever, never gets better or worse. you could bore it out to 408 and put in some better pistons. or just live with it, i do, if for example you were trying to sell the truck and the buyer was concerned, well they don`t know much about GM engines then, don`t waste your time with somebody like that. JMO. Its sooo comon that its not a worry, never heard of a failure.

hotrodpc · 08-29-2009, 07:36 PM

Nope, I never heard of a failure either. Its just noise. For once GM is right about this common problem. Just live with the noise and its actually better to have those pistons than any other. There was a reason why GM went to the skirtless pistons. They are lighter in weight, less friction, less drag on your rotating assembly and turn up the RPM quicker etc along with better fuel economy. Live with the noise, there is a benefit to it and its harmless.

08-28-2009, 04:27 PM	#1
sbeer5432 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Olympia, Wa Posts: 4	6.0L piston slap Thought I would just see what anybody else has done about this. My 2002 Gmc Sierra 1500HD has the piston slap noise. Really sounds like lifters for about a minute when starting and then goes away. But still hear it a little bit. 87,000 miles. Does not smoke or burn oil. Has plenty of power but is just annoying to me. Any suggestions?

08-28-2009, 05:03 PM	#2
mudseeker Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 6,374	it's because the piston skirts are so short on these engines. __________________ i'd rather be hunting

08-28-2009, 06:55 PM	#3
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,149	Yep, Mud is right. Its common, get used to it. They were actually considered skirtless pistons, but its my understanding GM went ahead and added small skirts to control the noise abit due to all the complaints, even though there was really nothing wrong. I think it was 03 when they skirted the pistons to cure the noise after complaints from 99-02. Just learn to live with it, its normal and nothing wrong. __________________ *Winners NEVER Quit , Quitters NEVER Win !!!*

08-28-2009, 06:58 PM	#4
mudseeker Senior Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 6,374	you could always go aftermarket and maybe add a few other things while you're in there. __________________ i'd rather be hunting

08-28-2009, 07:01 PM	#5
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,149	Good idea. Replace the pistons, some moly rings, and while your at it, add a turbo and some big injectors. That ought to take care of that slap noise. Never mind that whining noise though. Its just the turbo. Get used to that too. __________________ *Winners NEVER Quit , Quitters NEVER Win !!!*

08-29-2009, 07:27 PM	#6
stumpuller454 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Grande Prairie, AB Posts: 2,043	mine does the same thing done it for ever, never gets better or worse. you could bore it out to 408 and put in some better pistons. or just live with it, i do, if for example you were trying to sell the truck and the buyer was concerned, well they don`t know much about GM engines then, don`t waste your time with somebody like that. JMO. Its sooo comon that its not a worry, never heard of a failure. __________________ SUPERCHARGED 454 K2500 GMC! 450hp and 600ft/lbs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ27RJHfJKE "sailing with Captain Morgan often!"

08-29-2009, 07:36 PM	#7
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,149	Nope, I never heard of a failure either. Its just noise. For once GM is right about this common problem. Just live with the noise and its actually better to have those pistons than any other. There was a reason why GM went to the skirtless pistons. They are lighter in weight, less friction, less drag on your rotating assembly and turn up the RPM quicker etc along with better fuel economy. Live with the noise, there is a benefit to it and its harmless. __________________ *Winners NEVER Quit , Quitters NEVER Win !!!*

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