piston slap in '00 outback

[JDC]

I have the dreaded piston slap in my leased 2000 outback. I was planning on
purchasing it at the end of the lease. I have taken it to the dealer three
times and each time I have been told that it is normal. Yes, after
completely warming up the noise goes away. This usually takes 15 minutes or
so. I can't believe that there is not some damage taking place inside the
engine. The car only has 49K+ miles it. Should I be taking it through the
Subaru appeals process? Have others gone through this?

 

[archer57]

If it's still on warranty, why not give it a shot? I have a 99 Honda Civic
(I'm here because my daughter has an Imprezza) and it also has what has been
described as piston slap. However, when I mention the word to some
mechanics they look at me like I'm from Mars. Can you describe what it
sounds like and if the air temperature has an effect on it? Mine is worse
the colder it is. In the warm summer months, (outside temps above 60F) I
don't hear it.

A Honda tech once told me that excessive carbon buildup could cause it. So
I used one of the commercial carbon cleaner products; the type that gets
sucked through the intake manifold via a vacuum port while running the
engine. After doing so, the noise disappeared for about six months.
However, another tech told me that I could damage the O2 sensors and the
catalytic converter if using these products regularly. (I had an O2 sensor
fail last year). So I haven't done that anymore and now the engine has 118k
miles and every winter the racket gets louder during warmup. Sounds like a
diesel. It would be hard to convince me that it is not causing internal
damage or excessive wear.

If you make any progress, please post.

Pete

 

[nfisherman]

I have the dreaded piston slap in my leased 2000 outback. I was planning on
purchasing it at the end of the lease. I have taken it to the dealer three
times and each time I have been told that it is normal. Yes, after
completely warming up the noise goes away. This usually takes 15 minutes or
so. I can't believe that there is not some damage taking place inside the
engine. The car only has 49K+ miles it. Should I be taking it through the
Subaru appeals process? Have others gone through this?

Why go through the aggravation of the appeals process with a leased
vehicle? If it were mine, I'd endure the problem for the duration of
the lease and then turn the car in and find another vehicle. I would
try to get some documentation of the "normal" determination from the
dealer so that he doesn't try to stick you for improper maintenance or
something at the end of the lease.

 

[Edward Hayes]

I agree whole heartedly with nfisherman. I would not want to purchase this
vehicle after the local mechanics redo the internals. Now if they will put a
NEW engine and not just fix the old one I'd consider buying it and please
note I said a NEW engine. Ed Hayes