Engine knock when cold

Xtian · Post by **Xtian** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:38 pm

I have this terrible loud knocking when I start the car in the morning. It goes away when the temp goes to normal though.
The oil the car runs is 5W40 Castrol.
Also when I'm at a traffic light idling, there is this 1-2 second shaking every 20 seconds or so. Sometimes, there is no shaking at all.

I have 103K miles. ATX, 2001 SE. No A/C.
Also I need to replace the fuel pump. But I don't think that's the main problem.

I need your opinion, what is the best and cheaper way to keep the car in good running condition.

Thanks guys/gals!

Post by **racer12306** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 11:47 pm

You have the typical piston slap. Rather common at colder temps.

Play around with different weights and brands of oil to see if one helps more than another.

Besides taking the engine apart there isn't much else to try for the piston slap.

Xtian · Post by **Xtian** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:23 am

Is the piston slap really bad or ... no?
How much I need to spend for new pistons?
BTW, I found an ~20K SOHC engine off a 2003 SXT Neon for $250.
Is that a good deal or I should wait little bit more and get the SRT-4 one?

Swordfish2Cowboy · Post by **Swordfish2Cowboy** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:57 am

No, not really. If you've still got it when the engine has heated up you might have a problem.

Depends. What exactly is your goal? If the engine is a piece of crap, you just wasted $250 you could've spent on performance parts. If the engine is good, you've got yourself an engine for cheap. Honestly I'd probably buy it anyway. You can at least use it for parts.

Xtian · Post by **Xtian** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:27 am

I will post some video tomorrow of how the car starts in the mornings.

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:48 am

Plus all the sensor changes on the 03+ engines would make it a big waste of time, plus there would be added expense.

Many people have piston slap when cold and it never effects longevity of the engine.

Post by **occasional demons** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:22 pm

There isn't a way to swap the crank sensors out. The NGC crank sensor is on the flywheel end. The older ones are above the oil filter. Plus the crank is different. I think even the pick up resolution is even changed. (notches in the tone wheel).

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 12:27 pm

I remember hearing that the resolution has changed as well.

So its a very big job to put an 03+ engine is a pre-03 car.