370Z Piston Slap
 

Hi guys,

My 370Z now has about 350 miles on it and I am hearing what I think is a piston slap noise when the car is going up hills especially when in neutral while waiting for the gate to open.

I am not 100% sure it is a piston slap problem but it sounds like it or similar to it. What else could it be?

That has me worried because I am scheduled for lots of changes tomorrow as I am driving to the Stillen shop in Costa Mesa. I would not want the Nissan Dealer to tell me it's because of the changes I made that it's happening even though it is happening before any changes.

Anyone has a clue about what the noise could be?

What grade and brand of fuel are you running?

Sounds like valvetrain noise.

Piston slap on Japanese engines only occurs with loose-clearance pistons like aftermarket 2618 alloy pistons for force fed applications, and only while cold. You're definitely not hearing piston slap, but it could be coming from that relative area.

I've only filled the tank once and it was a Chevron station the gas was 91 grade premium as I always put in my 350Z.

Thanks for the infos, I will look that up and maybe go to a dealer. Again the noise really only happens on a hot engine and is audible when in neutral in an uphill position. (While waiting for the gate to open).


My question is should I reschedule with Stillen or not?

You sure it isn't the clutch rattle? That is pretty loud out of gear with the clutch out, clutch in it goes away.

Ah, I did not think about that. I went out of the car to try to identify where the noise comes from but it's tough... To me it sounds like it comes from the engine but something from the clutch would from the outside also seem to come from the engine.

I guess that could be a good guess.

It's easy to test. Stick your foot on the clutch, if it goes away that is what it is.

I'll try that tonight.

Check your oil.

Definitely diagnose the noise before bolting on aftermarket parts -- if you've got a problem (and you probably don't), then you could be in for trouble with mods.

:iagree: Get the issue straightened out then go for the mods