My understanding was that if replaced it would get a brand new motor. That what I read in some other posts regarding piston slap engine replacement in 2001 models.

I wish there was a way to verify the cause of the noise either way prior to the dealer visit.

Also, I am not entirely satisfied with the idea that this is a normal noise. I believe it to be non-normal and it is unsatisfactory to me. Thanks for opinions.

 

Meant for that to go under my previous slap thread. Sorry.