Ive got piston slap ,what is it and will it damage the car ,my car is a rover214,r regd?

Question

The car starts ok but just has this rattle till warmed up and doesnt vanish,it just doesnt sound loud

Answer 1

A rattle that disappears when the car warms up is usually caused by valve lifters. Once the engine's oil is warm and the lifters are fully lubricated, the noise goes away.

Piston slap is similar to piston knock, which is caused by premature detonation of gasoline in the cylinders. The piston is literally knocked around within the cylinder and creates a pinging noise. If the piston rod bearings are worn, you can get rod bearing noise at certain engine loads. However, this will happen when the engine is warmed up, not when cold.

From your description, it sounds like valve lifter noise. Changing to a different brand/viscosity of oil might help but it's usually not a serious problem.

Answer 2

Piston slap is caused when the piston rings wear and excess clearance is created between the piston and cylinder especially when the piston is going over tdc. The effect will diminish as the engine warms and the pistons expand. You have to decide whether its worth the expense of fitting new rings or trade the car in. You can accept it as normal wear and tear

Answer 3

first of all make sure it's oiled and if it isn't that then it sounds like your tappets could need resetting but if it does turn out to be piston slap it will be down to your timing being out which WILL damage the engine. as I say oil it first then if it doesn't work take the cambelt/timing cover off and have a look if it's out slightly and if it is then it is possible that it may start getting a bit pricey.

as with rovers though the engines are pretty easy to come by and you can pick up a really good one from a scrapyard for about £30 take the bits off it that you need and then scrap the rest of the engine!

Answer 4

If you are sure its piston slap they made a batch of engines with plated pistons the coating wore off hence the noise.This happens until engine reaches normal running temp you however say its still there .This raises the question is it piston slap the only way to be sure is to strip the engine.Expensive but the only way to be sure Regards Mick.

Answer 5

A broken sleeve on a piston can cause this
also a wrist pin.
How's your oil pressure it may be your main bearings..
they can last a long time..
Try useing heavier oil to eliminate the noise to see if this works.

Answer 6

Try using a product from Wynn's called Supercharge. It's in a purple tin. Just add to oil and it should cure the problem

Answer 7

listening to that sound in a used motor vehicle tells me 2 issues. a million) it is gonna decide for a rebuild 2) Whomever owned it earlier me probable abused the motor vehicle. the two way, run, do no longer walk far off from this ability headache of a motor vehicle

Answer 8

hi , its a rover , say no more , the earlier models had the honda engines which were bullit proof , , probably the hydraulic tappits tho , oil drains out and they sound noisy from cold but quiet down when warmer , sell it and buy a merc lol

Answer 9

R u sure you have piston slap?? yep ittl do damage

Answer 10

could be wrist pins in pistons?? a lot of mileage?? low oil and pressure? low octane gas?? try higher octane or additive to quiet knock?? check timing?? could be advance or retarded causing ping??[knock]