My Sube's got the piston slap clicking noise at cold idle and for first several minutes of driving....until engine warms up.

Does this mean eventual engine damage and costly repairs somewhere down the road or can this issue continue indefinitely without problems?

Year, model and mileage is always helpful.

 

You can do a search here on the board for "piston slap", there is plenty of info. Check the short list at the bottom of this window.

 

These engines can have the slap for life without any other issues. But each case is different.

 

SOA's stand is that it is normal and does not damage the motor in any way.

 

As long as it goes away or quiets down after warm up. Constant rapping could be a sign of other internal problems.

Edited December 11, 200817 yr by Suzam

2000 Legacy GT wagon MT 57k miles.

Slap does disappear once engine is warmed up.

Alright more eastbay members. Welcome to the usmb! I drive a lifted brat with winch around Berkeley all the time. I dont know much about the piston slap issue, but a search will undoubtedly give you much info. Good luck.

 

Daniel

Slap does disappear once engine is warmed up.

 

 

you're lucky, mine 97 OBW 127k quiets down but it keeps right on slappin'. it's been slappin for 30k since i bought it, hopefully another 130k.

My 97 OBW developed the slap at 23 000 km. I put 269 000 km on the old girl before trading her on an 02 OBW, and during all that time the piston slap never got any worse, nor did it appear to affect the engine in any way. Live with the noise, annoying though it may be, but it won't hurt your Subie.

correct - you are not damaging or otherwise shortening the life of your engine. totally annoying and Subaru did update the pistons to alleviate that issue, but it doesn't cause any problems...except it can mess with your mind!

I have had piston slap for so long I would think something was wrong if I did not hear it in the morning. It goes away after a few miles

From my experience, the "thinner" the oil the lesser the noise..

That slap has been around for so long that people honestly thought Subaru sold a Diesel version of their cars. Well, now they do, but unfortunately, not in the US (emissions problems, I've heard). Will not hurt your engine, but it will make you want to pull up at the pump with the green handle. . .