Fight or let it go

rebel3.0 · Post by **rebel3.0** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:06 pm

Hey guys I got a 02 LE modle (canada) 2 weeks ago used. Anyway took it back to the dealer ship on monday because of the piston slap that appeared after a cold spell we had.

Its now Wensday and they still havent told me what there going to do about it. "is a common problem, they all do it they tell me." Even though the parts manager said it was quite a severe noise

Is this worth fight for a new engine or will the piston slap never really lead to any mechanical problems? Will a replacement engine slap too or was the problem fixed?

Mr Josh Zombie · Post by **Mr Josh Zombie** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:07 pm

i'd fight it... without a doubt.
I have no idea if it's really going to be a bad thing, but i'd still fight it.

rebel3.0 · Post by **rebel3.0** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:10 pm

The worst part is my warranty is up in june. So I would be better off with a new engine that didnt sound like a diesel

dblsg · Post by **dblsg** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:24 pm

BRR got his engine replaced because of it.... granite he works for dcx though

fixitmattman · Post by **fixitmattman** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:25 pm

Even if they do anything about it, it'll be the same thing again with another engine. As sad as it is, it really is normal. There's been thread on neons.org where I think one guy got a new engine and it started doing it again. I've heard diesels quieter in the cold than this car. And it's not just my car, it's other neons I see as well.

As long as it goes away once the engine fully warms up I would say there's no problem and don't waste your time.

Post by **Diablo0** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:37 pm

I thought he got it replaced due to the hydrolock?

Either way, I dunno how bad it is but mine does it and I haven't had a problem with it, just come to accept it

I could of sworn there was a TSB out for the slap but I could be wrong since it's been awhile since I've read about it. Something about the block design and the cylinders being out of round causing it or the piston design, or a combination of both. Some have reported after getting the pistons replaced the slap goes away

I'd say fight it but only if you trust your dealer on their work. I tend to get a little scared if the mechanic could give a rats ass about your car and do a shotting job leading to more problems... but those should also be covered under warranty if it's a direct result of their work.

rebel3.0 · Post by **rebel3.0** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:50 pm

Yea their service manager says hes got a 02 like mine and in the morning he says "it sounds like the cranks gonna come out of it but they all do that".... real assuring

Panhead · Post by **Panhead** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:18 pm

i went in for that and they told me the injectors needed to be cleaned. dealers are full of shit. i told them the noise is coming from the bottom end.

J-Villa · Post by **J-Villa** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:47 pm

mine just has the normal neon "tick" but quiets down after a couple minutes of driving

sullygully · Post by **sullygully** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:15 am

If i remember correctly its something to do with when they torqued the head bolts at the factory, the way they torqued them ended up warping the head a little causing the pistions to slap.

Yes it is a common thing with neons, but its also a factory defect, and even though a recall was never put out to the public, they know of the problem full well, only they choose not to tell the public about it. If you fight hard enough, you can get it replaced. But you might have to go to a lot of delearships before one of them agrees to do it.

good luck

scneonchic · Post by **scneonchic** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:51 am

Mine ticks a little too...but barely enough to bother me.

BigDutch · Post by **BigDutch** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:28 am

I got my 01 R/T in Feb this year and noticed that noise coming from my car. Really noticable in the cold and off a fresh start. It would reduce as the car warmed up but never truly went away. I purchased full warenty from the factory when I bought the car (I was screwed over previously without warenty)

I took it in for "Piston Slap" and talked with the mechanics about the problem and they did say that it was a common problem with the 00-02 neons and especially a problem with the 01-02 R/T models.

After them having the car for the day and them telling me that there is nothing wrong with the car, they finally "herd" the noise and concluded that it was Piston Slap.

The warenty coverd the replacement of the bottom end and all the junk that goes with that. I had to pay the 100 deductable that is a part of my warenty and the cost of the A.C. belt and Thermostat.

They had my car for 2 days doing the engine work. They were really efficient and provided me with other means of transportation (Yay Demo Cars)

So, if I were you I would fight it. I got essentially a new engine at 96XXX km's. My car now has 113xxx km's on it and its like driving a NEW car!

rebel3.0 · Post by **rebel3.0** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:12 pm

Yea they droped it off to me today.(its normal, dont worrie about it!" Man this sucks> They even droped it off with a huge grease hand print on my passenger fender!!!!! I got a white car!!

sullygully · Post by **sullygully** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 11:19 pm

Take it back and tell em to clean up their fucking mess! And then go to another dealer, and be stern with them!

You have to let them know that you are in control, or they will just hand it back to you again.

dblsg · Post by **dblsg** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 2:21 am

Diablo0 wrote:I thought he got it replaced due to the hydrolock?

before the hydrolock... i could be wrong though

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 5:03 am

dblsg wrote:
Diablo0 wrote:I thought he got it replaced due to the hydrolock?
before the hydrolock... i could be wrong though

I was trying to get it covered before the hydrolock because there was a TSB for the piston slap...but hopefully this might help ya

Case Number - K32766855
Vehicle Issue - Engine Knocks For Up To A Minute Only When Cold Started.
Year - 2004 , 2003 , 2002 , 2001 , 2000
Model - PL - Neon
Engine - 2.0L 4 CYL SOHC 16V (SFI)
Category - Customer Concern (No DTCs)
System or Component - Engine Lower Section
Symptom - Knock
Region - under hood
Operating Temperature When Issue Occurs - Cold Start (After 8 hour Soak)
Engine RPM Range - Engine Idling
Case Verification - Vehicle is equipped with a 2.0l engine. Oil level and oil pressure is ok. The engine does not knock when warm. The noise is in the lower end of the engine.
Recommendation Inspect rod and main bearings, cylinders, pistons, wrist pins for damage. Measure rod bearing, main bearing and piston to cylinder clearances. Refer to the appropriate Service Repair Manual for specification and measurement procedures. Repair as necessary if not within specifications.
Compare start up knock with other like vehicles, some start up noise is normal.
Modification Date 3/11/05 5:14 PM

Neonix · Post by **Neonix** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 3:40 pm

scneonchic wrote:Mine ticks a little too...but barely enough to bother me.

:sign3:

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Fri Dec 01, 2006 7:50 pm

BlackRoseRacing wrote:
dblsg wrote:
Diablo0 wrote:I thought he got it replaced due to the hydrolock?
before the hydrolock... i could be wrong though
I was trying to get it covered before the hydrolock because there was a TSB for the piston slap...but hopefully this might help ya
Case Number - K32766855
Vehicle Issue - Engine Knocks For Up To A Minute Only When Cold Started.
Year - 2004 , 2003 , 2002 , 2001 , 2000
Model - PL - Neon
Engine - 2.0L 4 CYL SOHC 16V (SFI)
Category - Customer Concern (No DTCs)
System or Component - Engine Lower Section
Symptom - Knock
Region - under hood
Operating Temperature When Issue Occurs - Cold Start (After 8 hour Soak)
Engine RPM Range - Engine Idling
Case Verification - Vehicle is equipped with a 2.0l engine. Oil level and oil pressure is ok. The engine does not knock when warm. The noise is in the lower end of the engine.
Recommendation Inspect rod and main bearings, cylinders, pistons, wrist pins for damage. Measure rod bearing, main bearing and piston to cylinder clearances. Refer to the appropriate Service Repair Manual for specification and measurement procedures. Repair as necessary if not within specifications.
Compare start up knock with other like vehicles, some start up noise is normal.
Modification Date 3/11/05 5:14 PM

Is that for your engine, or a service bulletin for all neons???? What does it mean, take it in a get it fixed before warranty expires?

:panic:

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 5:38 am

Is that for your engine, or a service bulletin for all neons???? What does it mean, take it in a get it fixed before warranty expires?

:panic:

That is a StarOnline solution with case number (K32766855)......
StarOnline is used to help technitions diagnose and repair vehicles....
And yes, try to get the motor covered while you still have a warranty, and how well do you know the dealership? When my block was warrantied, after the claim was payed DCx told the dealership to scrap the old shortblock, they dont want it back. I ended up grabbing it and now a fellow 2GN member is using it

kc2005ptgt · Post by **kc2005ptgt** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 11:32 am

BlackRoseRacing wrote:
Is that for your engine, or a service bulletin for all neons???? What does it mean, take it in a get it fixed before warranty expires?

:panic:
That is a StarOnline solution with case number (K32766855)......
StarOnline is used to help technitions diagnose and repair vehicles....
And yes, try to get the motor covered while you still have a warranty, and how well do you know the dealership? When my block was warrantied, after the claim was payed DCx told the dealership to scrap the old shortblock, they dont want it back. I ended up grabbing it and now a fellow 2GN member is using it

I know dealership well, but I personally do not like them because they are such tightwads... which of course si good for business. My only concern is that they will find something wrong and not cover it under warranty. I have 55.5k miles on the car and still have the 7/70 left. Is the block covered under that?? They never seem to know!

They always want to put it on the lift first, and charge me $50 before they will check out warranty coverage.

Side note though - this is why I hate DCx and will never buy from them again unless they come out with something REALLY cool

My wife's Hyundai warranty is awesome. We had her Elantra's engine get crank walk and we paid NOTHING out of pocket on the warranty coverage - not even to get it up and diagnose it nor a tow, nothing - even the rental car that was given us (A dealer program car; Passat, 2.0T) didn't need to be filled up. C'mon now, that's a warranty!!!

BlackRoseRacing · Post by **BlackRoseRacing** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 6:24 pm

Your 7/70 just like my 8/80 is going to have a deductable...
If your car has a drivetrain warranty, your deductable is going to cover everything as long as they dont F ya and say its not drivetrain related and nail you with a diagnosis charge.
Also to be safe, make sure you dont have any aftermarket goodies installed before you take it in. It just gives the morons at the dealership an excuse to "TRY" to not to cover anything under warranty..

rebel3.0 · Post by **rebel3.0** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 6:54 pm

I senta email to chrysler's customer service about it today. Me and the wife took it out for a drive today.20kilometers later the damn thing was still slapin. The engine was fully warm and both me and the wife could hear it.