Re: [alfa] Piston Slap

["Daegrigg (Don)" <daegrigg@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

John,

Are you sure you have piston slap.   Piston slap (per dic. of auto terms) is
the condition caused by too much clearance between the piston and the
cylinder walls. The piston rattles or slaps against the wall of the
cylinder. It makes a hollow, muffled, bell-like sound.  Is this what you
have?

PS should cause accelerated wear on the liner and possibly scuffing on the
piston skirt.  Oil blow-by the oil control ring may cause increased
consumption/burning.  What is your #1 spark plug indicating?

PS is not terminal but it is a chronic condition that will not get better.
I would seek another opinion/diagnosis.

Don

----- Original Message -----
From: John Cecil <jcecil@domain.elided>
To: <alfa-digest@domain.elided>
Sent: Sunday, September 28, 2003 5:28 PM
Subject: [alfa] Piston Slap


> Fellow and esteemed Digesti-
>
> I have a '87 Spider Veloce which has been diagnosed as having piston slap
in
> the #1 cylinder. The engine has only about 25,000 mi., It uses almost no
> oil, has normal power but makes a tapping noise which goes away when the
#1
> plug is removed. My opinion is that the liner is abnormally worn, but I
have
> no idea why as the engine has never overheated nor run with low oil (Mobil
1
> 15W50). Oil pressure is over 60psi at 2500rpm and registers even when hot
at
> idle (does not read zero, but actual value is hard to tell from the gage).
> Also, there is no smoke at all from the exhaust.  My question is this: Is
> there any potential for catastrophic failure if I just go ahead and drive
it
> and ignore the noise? Also, has any one ever heard of a problem like this
on
> such a low milage engine?
>
> --
> John Cecil
> <jcecil@domain.elided>
> <jcecil66@domain.elided>
> --
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