Piston Slap - Castrol Edge 10W-60, stock VT LS1?

[Project_Corty]

Hi guys

Today I did an oil & filter change with Castrol Edge 10W-60. After doing the change and running the car I notice that if it is idling for a period of time I get piston slap (I don't think its lifters as I haven't had any issues with them). If I drive it then it is fine no issues at all.

Previously I used Castrol GTX 10W-30 but it was using a little oil so I went with a synthetic and higher grade.

I guess my question is do I potentially have piston slap and what does this mean for my engine. Why would piston slap occur with a higher grade quality oil. Is it okay to stick to Castrol Edge 10W-60 with this noise or should I switch back to my GTX 3?

I found this interesting site about piston slap here http://www.pistonslap.com

Any help would be much appreciated

[Ls1346]

if your hearing it now and didnt before the new oil, change back

[Micks]

Hi guys

Today I did an oil & filter change with Castrol Edge 10W-60. After doing the change and running the car I notice that if it is idling for a period of time I get piston slap (I don't think its lifters as I haven't had any issues with them). If I drive it then it is fine no issues at all.

Previously I used Castrol GTX 10W-30 but it was using a little oil so I went with a synthetic and higher grade.

I guess my question is do I potentially have piston slap and what does this mean for my engine. Why would piston slap occur with a higher grade quality oil. Is it okay to stick to Castrol Edge 10W-60 with this noise or should I switch back to my GTX 3?

I found this interesting site about piston slap here http://www.pistonslap.com

Any help would be much appreciated

You don't mention what model LS1 you have there or mileage?
Remember when oil changing these motors have very close tolerances.
The early LS1's were renowned for this prob.

Cheers
VYT

[Project_Corty]

You don't mention what model LS1 you have there or mileage?

Cheers
VYT

Yep sorry it is a stock 2000 VT LS1 96,000kms (no engine mods) with regular servicing and oil changes etc.

[O350VY]

Hi mate,

LS1's are renowned for oil use, and piston slap under load. Mine uses about 1/3 of a litre every 10000k's which is normal or so I have been told.

Piston slap is a worry especially if it wasn't doing it beforehand. I would change back to your original oil and I wouldn't be to concerned with using synthetic oil. Yes it's better, but it needs to be changed more often - if it gets dirty it will wreck your engine.

Cheers

[O350VY]

Hi mate,

LS1's are renowned for oil use, and piston slap under load. Mine uses about 1/3 of a litre every 10000k's which is normal or so I have been told.

Piston slap is a worry especially if it wasn't doing it beforehand. I would change back to your original oil and I wouldn't be to concerned with using synthetic oil. Yes it's better, but it needs to be changed more often - if it gets dirty it will wreck your engine.

Cheers

[Project_Corty]

After some reading and youtube videos (see here YouTube - LS1 knock? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTDaq1tY7tY)) I'm not sure if its piston slap or lifters. I know from past experience that lifters are usually quick tappet sounds (thats why I'm thinking pistons but I could be mistaken)

Under load the noise goes away and there is no noise during driving (is very smooth). If it is idling for example (noise apparent) and say I give it a bit of a rev once it sits back to idling rpm's the noise goes away briefly and then comes back. Maybe I should videotape it and put the link in this thread to see what you guys think.

[seedyrom]

i'd be extremely surprised if the noise was piston slap after 10w/60

That stuff makes engines quiet as a mouse usually

[gmh308]

After some reading and youtube videos (see here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTDaq1tY7tY) I'm not sure if its piston slap or lifters. I know from past experience that lifters are usually quick tappet sounds (thats why I'm thinking pistons but I could be mistaken)

Under load the noise goes away and there is no noise during driving (is very smooth). If it is idling for example (noise apparent) and say I give it a bit of a rev once it sits back to idling rpm's the noise goes away briefly and then comes back. Maybe I should videotape it and put the link in this thread to see what you guys think.


Mate took a look at the vid, that's valvetrain clatter. And some injector noise. Guess the thinner oil is producing a higher leakdown rate on the lifters.

Piston slap is typical on a cold motor. Then the pistons warm up and it goes away.

Cheers.

[VTR8Clubby]

It sounds like the 10/60 is too thick and your not getting enough oil flow at idle to keep the lifters quiet. Only guessing though, I'm no expert on oils.

[B-REX]

My 2000 VT11 LS1 is sensitive to the oil used. The heavier the oil the more prone to lifter noise it is. I have found that anything heavier than 10W-40 (and more specific to some brands) will generally result in a noisy valvetrain.
Find a good quality oil (synthetic) that works for you and stick to it.

I am currently using Fuchs Titan GTO 10W-40 and the engine is a quiet as it has ever been.

[gmh308]

My 2000 VT11 LS1 is sensitive to the oil used. The heavier the oil the more prone to lifter noise it is. I have found that anything heavier than 10W-40 (and more specific to some brands) will generally result in a noisy valvetrain.
Find a good quality oil (synthetic) that works for you and stick to it.

I am currently using Fuchs Titan GTO 10W-40 and the engine is a quiet as it has ever been.


Interesting feedbacck. Makes some sense. Thankz.

[Project_Corty]

Yep know it is definitely lifter noise given it occurs at certain points during driving etc. The lifter noise is intermittent so its not that bad and with my cd player on I can't hear it.

Is lifter noise bad i.e. does this mean no oil is getting up to the important areas in the engine?

I'll try a thinner grade oil next time and go for a synthetic like 10W-40 (if I can find it on the shelf of an auto parts store) or 10W-50.

Thanks guys for the info by the way, much appreciated

[VYR8HSV]

Maybe give Penrite SIN 0 a go. It is a 0-50w fully synthetic oil.
http://www.penrite.com.au/files/HTU92EHCZC/SIN%20Engine%20Oil%200.pdf

Especially good if you live in a colder climate area.

Pete

[GMMAD]

Maybe give Penrite SIN 0 a go. It is a 0-50w fully synthetic oil.
http://www.penrite.com.au/files/HTU92EHCZC/SIN%20Engine%20Oil%200.pdf

Especially good if you live in a colder climate area.

Pete
yeah and great if you want your engine to slug up

[bicks1]

yeah and great if you want your engine to slug up

I have heard some nasty rumors about this oil, would recommend staying away from it

[TAKEITEZ]

castrol magnatec in 10w40 is much raved about, used by many, and good value oil also...

give that a shot next time :)

[bicks1]

castrol magnatec in 10w40 is much raved about, used by many, and good value oil also...

give that a shot next time :)

THats what i use in my pride and joy :rofl:

[GMMAD]

I have heard some nasty rumors about this oil, would recommend staying away from it
yep I discovered it first hand

[Brendan]

There is a reason 10W-30 is specced for the engine.

I use magnatech in my VT no dramas - sounded like a tractor the time I put Mobil 1 in it.

[goose202]

I've got the same problem with my ~150K VX, Corty.

When I bought it about 15K ago, the engine was quiet. First oil change with Magnatec and it developed some noise which I assumed was lifter (based on my 202 experience! LOL ) so tried some Motul on the next change and the noise remains.

I'm still not sure if it's lifter noise or piston slap, but what makes me wonder if it's piston slap is that the noise seems to be louder from under the engine than from listening with my head under the bonnet. It seems to make the noise more when cold, but often when hot too, and a bit of a rev makes it go away for a few seconds. Other times there will be no noise at all. It doesn't seem to use a drop of oil between 5K km oil changes.

I'd be convinced it was lifter noise if it weren't for the ticking being louder from underneath the car.

I guess I'll just have to keep trying different oils until I find something that shuts it up a bit.

[GMMAD]

There is a reason 10W-30 is specced for the engine.


yeah so holden could get the best fuel economy out of them
not because it was best for the engine

[chook]

I have heard some nasty rumors about this oil, would recommend staying away from it


What Rumors are you refering too, many have been using it please enlighten us.

According to some the Edge is Pretty good acordiung to this thread

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=97841&highlight=castrol+edge

So please enlighten !!!!

[GMMAD]

What Rumors are you refering too, many have been using it please enlighten us.

According to some the Edge is Pretty good acordiung to this thread

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=97841&highlight=castrol+edge

So please enlighten !!!!
pretty shore he was referring to the penrite not castrol edge

[chook]

Oh OK was not too sure, I have only read good reviews on the Castrol

[GMMAD]

Oh OK was not too sure, I have only read good reviews on the Castrol
yeah castrol edge is the shit
I use it and wont use anything else now

[bicks1]

Oh OK was not too sure, I have only read good reviews on the Castrol

Sorry mate I use the Castrol in mine was referring to the Penrite rubbish:spew:

[HYMEY]

My 2000 VT11 LS1 is sensitive to the oil used. The heavier the oil the more prone to lifter noise it is. I have found that anything heavier than 10W-40 (and more specific to some brands) will generally result in a noisy valvetrain.
Find a good quality oil (synthetic) that works for you and stick to it.

I am currently using Fuchs Titan GTO 10W-40 and the engine is a quiet as it has ever been.

very true, I have noticed this with LS1s. If it is too thick it has some resistance to flow through the lifter orifice, they don't pump up quick enough. 10W60 should be OK. Maybe drive it for a 1000kms till it thins out a bit see how it sounds then. Saves you wasting that dear $$$ oil.

cheers

[B-REX]

Sorry mate I use the Castrol in mine was referring to the Penrite rubbish:spew:

Penrite HPR10 was one of the oils I tried in mine. I drove it once around the block after an oil change and drained it out again. The valve train noise was diabolical to say the least. I contacted Penrite about it and they were "going to call back". Never heard from them. As a result I would not use their product again.

[The_Plague]

Strange anti Penrite sentiment here, I use the Sin stuff and its never given me any grief or noises out of the ordinary, and that is with some bloody harsh treatment.

[B-REX]

Strange anti Penrite sentiment here, I use the Sin stuff and its never given me any grief or noises out of the ordinary, and that is with some bloody harsh treatment.


Not anti-Penrite as such but based on my own experience I will not use their product again in my LS1.

But I did use HPR30 in my Chev smallblock powered Volvo 240 without any problems. Different oils for different engines I guess.

[GMMAD]

Strange anti Penrite sentiment here, I use the Sin stuff and its never given me any grief or noises out of the ordinary, and that is with some bloody harsh treatment.
I never had any trouble with it ether
my motor was nice and quiet
but when I got the cam done Sonny said there was some sludge
and mine isnt the only one it has happened to

[VX2VESS]

edge seems to have a lot of cleaning properties in it, rocker covers were never so clean inside.