Piston slap is when the piston rocks or rattles within the cylinder. Instead of smoothly moving up and down (reciprocally), it comes loose and starts making a horrible noise.
Piston slap is a sign that your engine is on its way out. It may still last for some time, but your best bet to repair it is an engine rebuild or getting a new engine or car altogether.
This guide will discuss how an internal combustion engine functions, what piston slap is, some indications, and what you should do subsequently.
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How Does An Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Work?
An internal combustion engine, such as the one found in your car, is a surprisingly simple – yet intricate – device.
Despite numerous advancements, mainly in the fields of power output, fuel economy, and emissions – the vehicular ICE remains essentially the same today as when it was first invented in the 1800s.
Car engines, known as four-cycle or four-stroke, function distinctively compared to two-cycle/stroke engines typically found on mopeds and gardening devices such as lawnmowers and leaf blowers.
As shown in the video example above, a typical four-cylinder engine is the simplest to visualize the process.
The Four-Stroke Engine Process
During the first “intake stroke,” the piston travels downwards in the cylinder. Simultaneously, the intake valve opens, allowing air and fuel into the combustion chamber. (Gas may be introduced directly into the cylinder through the fuel injector instead.)
The piston rises again, compressing the air/fuel mixture in the space above it. This is known as a compression stroke.
Next, a spark plug fires, igniting the compressed mixture. The strength of the explosion drives the piston downwards again forcefully. During this power stroke, the engine produces its horsepower.
Finally, the piston rises from BDC (bottom dead center) to TDC (top dead center), pushing the burnt exhaust gases through the now-open exhaust valve. This fourth phase, the exhaust stroke, completes the “revolution,” and the process starts again.
If you’re traveling with an engine speed of 3,000 RPM, your engine is functioning at 3,000 revolutions per minute. That is, it’s completing that four-stroke cycle in every cylinder 50 times per second.
What Does A Piston Do In A Car Engine?
As you may have noticed, the piston is integral to the entire process.
It creates the pressure differentials needed for the intake and exhaust strokes while compressing the air and fuel and absorbing the energy of the ignited mixture.
It carries out these actions thousands of times a minute when you drive. It is more astounding that an engine can last hundreds of thousands of miles now.
You might also notice the remarkable strain a piston is put through.
Not only does it complete its jobs, as mentioned above, but it also rubs against the cylinder wall as it travels up and down. Over time, both it and the wall are bound to develop some kind of damage.
This is generally what causes piston slap.
It’s an almost inevitable consequence of time and is simply a sign that, if left unchecked, your engine doesn’t have much longer for this world.
What Is Piston Slap? – Symptoms Of Piston Slap
In this section, you’ll find out how to diagnose piston clatter, although you can only definitively confirm it by stripping down and reconstructing the engine.
The main – and only, really – symptom of piston slap is the sound. You’ll hear a disturbing rattling noise, often worse at idle or overrun (when you lift off the throttle pedal).
Keep an eye on your exhaust gas, too. When piston slap occurs, the piston rings are also likely on the way out. This could allow oil to get past them and into the combustion chamber.
When oil burns, it produces an azure, filmy smoke. You’ll see this pouring out the tailpipe at all times.
Oily exhaust smoke is only a potential by-product of piston slap. Your car might be experiencing this problem without any visible issues with the exhaust gases. Treat any rattling or knocking sounds as the telltale sign.
Your car might (but might not) also illuminate the Check Engine indicator.
Piston slap is unlikely to happen on a newer car with more advanced technologies. Knock sensors also help manage unappealing engine noises (for better or worse).
Could The Knocking Sound Be Something Other Than Piston Slap?
A knocking sound from your engine could be caused by several other things. It’s not necessarily a sign of piston slap.
Take your vehicle to an auto shop for a complete diagnosis before deciding it’s the end!
- Low octane/poor quality gas
- Rod knock
- Misfires
- Ignition timing
- Poor-quality spark plugs
- Incorrect spark plug gaps
- Carbon deposits
- Lean/rich mixture
- Bad knock sensor
Before committing to an engine overhaul, consider a comprehensive maintenance. A fresh set of spark plugs, a purifying fuel additive, and an OBD II check may solve it for you!
Can You Fix Piston Slap?
There’s only one way to fix piston slap: with an engine rebuild.
First, a mechanic should do a compression test (which is utterly necessary and will come at an additional charge to you).
It may be identified that the cylinder walls are bored out beyond repair (more likely in aluminum than iron engines). This extra worn-down space tends to develop near TDC. Therefore, the block is reasonably useless, and you’ll need an entirely new motor or car.
The problem of piston slap is often confined to the piston and piston rings. Piston rings fit around the piston to seal it against the cylinder wall. They also contain a meticulously crafted gap.
As the metal expands when the engine warms up, this gap closes, providing optimal sealing conditions when it’s at operating temperature. This is why piston slap often sounds worse when it’s cold, or the engine is just warming up.
Piston slap is often confined to one cylinder. To fix it, you’ll need an engine rebuild, including a replacement set of pistons and piston rings. If the block has been damaged, the engine should be condemned and sold for scrap.
Will Piston Slap Damage My Engine?
This isn’t quite the correct question to ask. Yes, piston slap will damage your engine since everything will be wearing down much faster and thrown out of balance.
However, in reality, piston slap is engine damage. It won’t just lead to issues – it is a problem. At the very least, it’s an initial symptom of more to come.
While the piston slap sound isn’t very nice, you could choose to live with it for a while. However, know that by doing so, there may be no way to save your engine should you want to in the future. It’s better to make the decision now rather than put it off.
Is Fixing Piston Slap Worth It?
So, is piston slap bad? Most agree that, while piston slap is a sign of an aging engine, your car should last for a little while longer yet. That being said, if you want any chance of preserving the motor, you should act as swiftly as possible.
Let’s get this straight. Engine rebuilds are expensive. Probably around $1,500 to $2,000. The parts alone might only be $200 or $300, but it’s likely to take a mechanic an entire working day. You’ll find this quickly adds up with labor rates of $80 to $100 per hour.
If you have a rarer or more luxurious vehicle, engine rebuild costs could approach $4,000 or more.
So, is your car worth that much to you? Or is it more financially sensible to run it into the ground, scrap it, and put the proceeds toward a new model? That’s up to you.
