I've done some searches, but couldn't find anything that matched my description. Truck is a basically stock '01 w/ about 19K miles on it. I noticed a very faint tap about a month ago and didn't really think much of it at first, but over the course of a month, it's gotten constantly louder. Now it sounds about like someone taking a small stick pin and tapping it on a counter top. It's more noticeable at startup, and gets slightly quieter - but not much - as the engine warms up. The noise is consistent with the RPMs. If I rev the motor, the sound gets faster. It's not very noticeable while driving 30 mph or faster - probably due to road noise, but if I'm slower and next to another car or driving along a wall or through a parking lot, I can hear it more then. I've had no check engine lights and I haven't noticed any loss in power. Any ideas?

Oh, and at 19K miles, I'm out of warranty because of the original purchase date on the truck. I'd also be willing to let an experienced ear hear it if you're in my area (DFW/Carrollton).

Thanks in advance!

Marc

 

check your plugs

 

I thought the plugs let go with no warning?

 

Do a search for "piston slap."

 

same sound on mine, i spit a plug. made the noise and got louder over time. same thing heard when car was slow or next to something.

Do not drive another inch until you tighten you plugs. dont be lazy I was and it was not good.

 

"piston slap"....is that like a pimp slap

 

Yikes. Haven't done a plug change on this truck before, but I guess now is a good a time as any to learn.

 

That's crossed my mind, but does't piston slap usually go away once the engine is warmed up? My noise is still very noticeable after warmup. I'll definitely be checking the plugs first thing when i get home from work. It'd really ruin my week to launch a plug - and know that I could have done something about it.

 

Let us know what you find?

 

19K miles on the factory "tightness" is really pushing it.
I changed plugs on my 01 @ 5K miles......
1 plug was hand tight, 2 where loose

and that seems to be the common

 

this will help


http://home.midsouth.rr.com/lightnin...parkplugs.html

 

My guess is a loose plug also. Mine tapped before it blew a plug.

 

Thanks for that link.

I did a little research I went out and picked up some NGK TR5s(I don't have any extra boost on my truck) from O'Reilly. Now I just need to round up the rest of the tools and I'll tackle the plugs tomorrow after work or on saturday morning. Thanks for your input guys. I'll update if that fixes the noise.

 

I just bought an '02 3 weeks ago with 14k miles. I had the same problem. I put some silicone spray on the belt and the noise went away. 2 days later it was back. Took it into the dealer.Come to find out all was, is one of the pullies has a burr on it. Couldn't believe that a belt could make that much noise.

 

Well, I started on the plugs this morning. I've got 7 of 8 out so far. The troublesome one is the 3rd back on the driver's side(As Chuck's Lightning Page described). I'm waiting on someone to bring me a breaker bar to get that one finished. It's taken me a good part of 3 hours to get this far, but that also includes a little play time with my 9 month old daughter and breakfast and such, so I've got probably got close 2 hours on the plug job. Someone PLEASE tell me it's easier getting these in than it is to get them out!

I've hopefully found my culprit though. Of the plugs I do have out, all looking pretty good except for #2 back on the driver's side. That plug was fairly loose and almost completely all black/fouled out. I'll provide a pic in a while.

One more question...I've got NGK TR5s going back in. The consensus is to gap at .035 right - even though the truck is basically stock? That just seems a little small - especially since the stockers were gapped to about .047-.048.