Piston Slap - Is it a Real Thing? - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

1JEWLDSSRS · 04-21-2026, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arogg

I drive my wife crazy because im constantly pointing out smells and sounds in the cars and she doesn't hear or smell any of them.

That's because we are "car guys!". Most other folks have no clue as to what's going on, even though they ride and drive. Just have to educate them best you can. And my Corsa is so loud, and I have Tinnitus, I can't hear anything! But my "smeller" still works. lol.

Arogg · 04-21-2026, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

That's because we are "car guys!". Most other folks have no clue as to what's going on, even though they ride and drive. Just have to educate them best you can. And my Corsa is so loud, and I have Tinnitus, I can't hear anything! But my "smeller" still works. lol.

I have the same exhaust setup as you I believe and yeah, I get what you're saying. That's why when I say I hear something, my wife is immediately replying with how do you hear ANYTHING? As far as the sniffer, for some reason, I can smell a coolant leak from miles away lol..That smell haunts me from my past cars...

1JEWLDSSRS · 04-21-2026, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arogg

I have the same exhaust setup as you I believe and yeah, I get what you're saying. That's why when I say I hear something, my wife is immediately replying with how do you hear ANYTHING? As far as the sniffer, for some reason, I can smell a coolant leak from miles away lol..That smell haunts me from my past cars...

Yes sir, and burning oil!! Two of the worst smells in a car, oh and except for electrical.. Never want to smell that one. That one isn't good either.

Roamer63 · 04-21-2026, 11:15 AM

Mine has one cylinder with piston slap on a cold start up after it idles down. Drive it a short distance and it's gone. My mechanic said it probably came from the factory that way. Don't worry about.

Moto-Mojo · 04-21-2026, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roamer63

Mine has one cylinder with piston slap on a cold start up after it idles down. Drive it a short distance and it's gone. My mechanic said it probably came from the factory that way. Don't worry about.

How did you isolate to one particular cylinder? Mine certainly sounds like it's on one bank but how do you know which one of the four?

Roamer63 · 04-22-2026, 07:40 AM

Easy to tell on mine, #8. Try a stethoscope or as I do, hold a long screwdriver(or something similar) to your ear and place it along the bank.

1JEWLDSSRS · 04-22-2026, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roamer63

Easy to tell on mine, #8. Try a stethoscope or as I do, hold a long screwdriver(or something similar) to your ear and place it along the bank.

That's what we did back in the day. A long socket extension held to your ear and where you needed to listen on the engine did the trick.

SlowLS1 · 04-22-2026, 02:49 PM

LS1 engines were notorious for piston slap. I'd say that engine made "piston slap" mainstream.

04-22-2026, 02:49 PM	#22
SlowLS1 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS , 2011 Colorado LS1 Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,236	LS1 engines were notorious for piston slap. I'd say that engine made "piston slap" mainstream. __________________

04-21-2026, 11:15 AM	#18
Roamer63 Drives: 2014 camaro 2ss/rs Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Nebraska Posts: 68	Mine has one cylinder with piston slap on a cold start up after it idles down. Drive it a short distance and it's gone. My mechanic said it probably came from the factory that way. Don't worry about.

04-22-2026, 07:40 AM	#20
Roamer63 Drives: 2014 camaro 2ss/rs Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Nebraska Posts: 68	Easy to tell on mine, #8. Try a stethoscope or as I do, hold a long screwdriver(or something similar) to your ear and place it along the bank.