i don't know what i think of the piston slap issue. two years ago i bought a 2001 OB with 97k and it had a loud tap when starting. the dealer said not to worry, they all sound that way.
25k later the tap got worse, a misfire developed and, to make a long story short, i found i had a blown HG and a toasted cylinder, scored and burned. the mechanic who tore it down thought the news was typical and surprised by how awful the cylinder looked. so was that cylinder talking to me all along?
i am now driving a rebuilt 2.5 and there is no tap whatsoever when cold. so is this piston slap the real thing or a myth. should it prompt an owner to at least check compression? or drive it until the problem declares itself?