ph39
Michigan
Senior Member
Joined: 01/02/2003
View Profile
 Offline
|
I have a 2002 1500 Suburban that runs great, but is a little overmatched for my travel trailer. I'm looking at upgrading the fall to a 2004 Suburban 2500 with a 6.0l or 8.1l. Both should handle my towing needs fine (trailer 5,100 actual dry, 6,000 loaded, 6,500 gvwr) but I am very worried about the pistion slap problems I keep seeing posted. My current 5.3l V8 runs great. On the 6.0 & 8.1l how large is the problem? 1%,5%, 25%. Let me know if you have a 6.0 or 8.1 and if you have pistion slap problems.
The only alternative for me really is the Excursion, but since I can get the GM employee discount from a family member and I like the looks of the GM Suburban/Yukon XL better, I'd much rather buy GM.
|
tluxon
Kirkland, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/12/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
I have tried to reproduce the piston slap problem and have been unable to. I believe I saw a post a few months ago that seemed to indicate that the piston slap affected certain serial numbers. I haven't seen much reference to it lately, so I wonder if it's just about disappeared from the most recent editions.
If you upgrade to the 2500, I don't want to knock the 6.0L but I can't emphasize enough how much happier I believe you'll be if you get the 8.1L. I just spoke with somebody Friday night who is already checking into upgrading his 2500 6.0 for a new 2500 8.1. I can't believe how nice this engine is - it seems to run like a finely tuned swiss watch at all RPMs. It has a real broad torque band (over 400 ft-lb from 1500 RPM to 4000+ RPM, peaking at 455 ft-lb at 3200 RPM), and doesn't seem to mind high RPMs in the least.
Enjoy,
Tim -
wife Beverly & 2 boys who love camping
2002 K2500 Suburban 8.1L 4.10 Prodigy
2005 Sunnybrook 30FKS HP Dual Cam
Replaced 2000 Sunnybrook 26FK on 8/6/04
|
CPC
San Fernando Valley, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 06/28/2002
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
I have approx. 12K miles on my 2002 2500HD 6.0L and have not encountered "piston slap." Not sure people arn't getting the valve sound when the engine is first started mixed up with "piston slap."
local temperature
Our Pics.
|
Caddywhompus
Southeast WI
Senior Member
Joined: 06/27/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
The piston slap in my Astro didn't appear until about 60k miles. My best friend's 2500 GMC 6.0 developed piston slap around 50k miles. These people that post "I've had my truck a year now and don't have piston slap" just haven't waited long enough. It will come in time, be patient.
As to the damage issue. Hard to say. As an engineer I can tell you that too me any metal on metal contact hard enough to make a noise is bad. The link I posted below shows the damage that can result from piston slap. The problem is that is seems to take a long time, and most of you guys don't keep vehicles long enough to care or notice. GM extends your warranty to 100k miles if you develop the slap, partly because there are few cases of engine damage occuring before 100k miles. I myself want more than 100k miles out of my engines, which explains why I'm bitter about the issue.
'04 Ford Freestar (Primary tow vehicle)
'05 Subaru Forester (Backup tow vehicle)
'65 Bethany popup (best popups ever made!)
Looking for a tow vehicle
Minivan towing
|
mikefrommichigan
Grand Rapids, MI
Senior Member
Joined: 06/09/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
If you can get the GM discount, my assumption will be that you will wind up buying a gm vehicle no matter what due to the cost savings up front. You can't put a percentage on the number of piston slappers out there, but chances are, you'll experience it at some point with the new GM gas engine design unless of course you go with a diesel in a crew cab.
If you're deciding between the 6.0l or the 8.1l, go with the 8.1. I went from a 5.3l which had nearly the same amount of power as the 6.0 and man, what a difference with my new sub (see sig.). I wouldn't even consider doing the 6.0l now that I have my 8.1 
2003 31' Skyline Nomad Scout bunkhouse (5400# dry weight)
2003 Chevy 2500 Suburban 4x4 8.1L 4:10's Mobil 1 Cooper Discoverer A/T 245/75/R16E
Reese 1200# Straitline, Prodigy brake controller
2003 Giant NRS3 full suspension mountain bike
Wife, child, choc. lab, & feline (cat stays home)
TV & TT Pictures
Reese Straitline Hitch
Nomad Scout 310 Floorplan
Skyline/Nomad website
'03 Giant NRS3
"A bend in the road, is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn."
|
|
|
JimWilson
New Jersey
Senior Member
Joined: 04/18/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
Engine -- 6.0
CSK (Cold Start Knock) -- yes
Piston slap -- yes
And that's with Mobil 1.
The 6.0 is a pretty stout engine. Gas pig, but very strong. You should try one out before you decide against it. Obviously, the 8.1 will be strong, but match that to the 3.73 rear and it really doesn't have a lot on the 6.0 (with the 4.10). Now, the 8.1 with the 4.10 is another story...
2001 Coleman Caravan 25SL
2002 Chevy 2500HD Silverado CrewCab
|
tomdrobin
Perry, MI
Senior Member
Joined: 06/20/2003
View Profile
|
quote: "The link I posted below shows the damage that can result from piston slap."
Didn't see the link. I've been following this interesting discussion for some time now. One explanation I've heard for this pistion "slap" which is actually the piston skirt noise from the piston rocking in the bore is the increased clearance required by the forged pistons which are more durable. At least in racing applications the forged pistons are not cam ground which requires greater clearance than cam ground cast. Now I would think that if this condition developed over a significant amount of mileage accumulation that it would be indicative of piston skirt or cylinder bore wear. Does anyone know if the pistons in the Astro are forged or cast? And, what is your motor oil brand/type and change frequency for your Astro?
|
RV Guy
Lipan, TX.
Senior Member
Joined: 01/02/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
And should you go ahead and get the 8.1, be sure and get the long bed with the larger fuel tank because you'll need it to get from corner gas station to corner gas station.
Best of all worlds, get a Duramax.
Jim
2008 Silverado 3500 D/A CC Dually
2007 Mobile Suites Deluxe - 36SB3
Reese 20K Hitch
Kipor KGE6000Ti generator
|
KC Steve
Kansas City
Senior Member
Joined: 09/12/2002
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
Go with the 8100 and I'm sure you won't be sorry. I don't believe there is a wide spread problem with piston slap. All high performance engines I have been around that had a little piston noise still caused no problems.
These are trucks, not Cadillacs, built to do heavy duty work. At this time I have 22,000 miles on the 8100. Approx.7000 of those towing. Does its job effortlessly.
My opinion, buy what you like. None are perfect, most are good.
Steve
2006 Chevy 3500 LBZ CC Dooley 4x4 LT3
2003 Cedar Creek Custom 36rlts
Trailair pin box
Cedar Creek Club member #8
He who dies with the most friends, wins
|
tluxon
Kirkland, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/12/2001
View Profile
Offline
|
RV Guy wrote:
Quote:And should you go ahead and get the 8.1, be sure and get the long bed with the larger fuel tank because you'll need it to get from corner gas station to corner gas station.
...
Haha! We've got 38 gallons and at 9.5 mpg towing, we skip a few gas stations every day .
|
|
|
