2003 Dodge 1500 PU - 4.7L Piston Slap?

[crownvic]

I guess I'm having piston slap, as I've been reading. I have a knocking noise until it reaches operating temp. Then the noise goes away, not all the way I can slightly hear it still.

Is there any way to determine which cylinder it is?

[brianp87]

I would do a compression test first. Then I would use a stethiscope next if comp doesnt tell ya. Another thought is the possiblity of an injector?

[crownvic]

Do you mean an injector going bad? Would that make the engine knock?

[brianp87]

Possibly. I would get consent from customer to remove the right valve cover and check the t-chain for slap while it is cranking. Then If I didnt find anything I may consider removing th oil pan to check for sludge. The lifters also have known problems. Did you check compression?

[crownvic]

There is no sludge. The #8 cylinder only has 75lbs of compression. The rest are all over 100lbs; the spark plug is black and wet. The rest are like new.

[brianp87]

Jasper. ANd dont forget all the stuff associated like mounts, belt, hoses, tstat, water pump, plugs, etc

[steven kiser]

you probably have a collapsed piston. on a limb here and i mean a limb, what years did chrystler offer a 10 year 100k warranty? is this the engine that would blow the lower gasket under the plenum causing a lean condition? i've seen issues caused by this that are very hard to explain. i had a few of these that had sucked just enough moisture (from humidity) to burn holes in pistons. i had one that looked like someone had dripped hot solder on it. jasper is the way to go. install kit along with radiator. i would probably also throw new tranny lines into it. they're such a pleasure to work with and the updated ones are sooooo easy to install. ya, ya, i know, shut up steve, but i have to add, if you do throw a mill into it replace the flex plate as well and be real careful aligning the transmission and engine.