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From: mrdarrett on 9 Dec 2008 11:57
My '96 Camry (159,000 miles) is parked outside where the temp is 30-40
degrees (sometimes has ice on the windshield).

When starting the car the engine makes a clattering sound, which goes
away once the engine is warm.

Is this "piston slap"?

Can this be fixed with a heavier weight oil? (It's due for an oil
change anyway.)

Will the noise shorten the life of the engine?

Thanks,

Michael
From: SMS on 9 Dec 2008 13:53
mrdarrett(a)gmail.com wrote:
> My '96 Camry (159,000 miles) is parked outside where the temp is 30-40
> degrees (sometimes has ice on the windshield).
>
> When starting the car the engine makes a clattering sound, which goes
> away once the engine is warm.
>
> Is this "piston slap"?
>
> Can this be fixed with a heavier weight oil? (It's due for an oil
> change anyway.)
>
> Will the noise shorten the life of the engine?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Michael

I4 or V6?

I have the same year Camry, 4 cylinder, with similar mileage, and
similar weather. There was ice on the windshield this morning.

I haven't had any clattering in cold weather. I would wonder if the oil
filter's anti-drain-back valve is working, and which oil you are using
(10W30 or 5W30).

I don't believe that a heavier weight oil will fix it. Use an OEM Toyota
filter, and 5W30 oil before getting an analysis from a mechanic.
From: ransley on 9 Dec 2008 14:00
On Dec 9, 10:57 am, mrdarr...(a)gmail.com wrote:
> My '96 Camry (159,000 miles) is parked outside where the temp is 30-40
> degrees (sometimes has ice on the windshield).
>
> When starting the car the engine makes a clattering sound, which goes
> away once the engine is warm.
>
> Is this "piston slap"?
>
> Can this be fixed with a heavier weight oil?  (It's due for an oil
> change anyway.)
>
> Will the noise shorten the life of the engine?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Michael

Is yours with the filter upside down, Change to a toyota filter I have
had some Fram that the anti drain valve didnt work, its only got
160000, what did you expect, im sure all oil changes in the past were
at the right time. Mine has always had a bit of noise and more if its
not run every day.
From: mrdarrett on 9 Dec 2008 15:02
On Dec 9, 10:53 am, SMS <scharf.ste...(a)geemail.com> wrote:
> mrdarr...(a)gmail.com wrote:
> > My '96 Camry (159,000 miles) is parked outside where the temp is 30-40
> > degrees (sometimes has ice on the windshield).
>
> > When starting the car the engine makes a clattering sound, which goes
> > away once the engine is warm.
>
> > Is this "piston slap"?
>
> > Can this be fixed with a heavier weight oil? (It's due for an oil
> > change anyway.)
>
> > Will the noise shorten the life of the engine?
>
> > Thanks,
>
> > Michael
>
> I4 or V6?
>
> I have the same year Camry, 4 cylinder, with similar mileage, and
> similar weather. There was ice on the windshield this morning.
>
> I haven't had any clattering in cold weather. I would wonder if the oil
> filter's anti-drain-back valve is working, and which oil you are using
> (10W30 or 5W30).
>
> I don't believe that a heavier weight oil will fix it. Use an OEM Toyota
> filter, and 5W30 oil before getting an analysis from a mechanic.


It's an I4.

So I should use a thinner oil, eh?

I think I used a Toyota filter. Last oil change was 7000 miles ago,
10W-30. Some oil changes were done within 8000 miles, some at 5-6k
miles

It leaks oil - about 1 quart per 1,000 miles. I would have changed
the oil sooner, but I just put in another quart about 500 miles ago,
then realized, d'oh, I could have just changed the oil... dipstick
says it's still full though... kind of a waste to change the oil after
adding a whole new quart. I'm waiting for the dipstick to read maybe
1/2...

At this mileage, I'm pretty much hoping for another 20,000 miles.
Repairs exceeding $1000 probably aren't warranted at this point - we
have our eyes on probably buying a van within the next 2 years or
so...

Thanks,

Michael
From: johngdole on 9 Dec 2008 21:07
Even dino 10W-30 should work fine at those temperatures. If it's oil
flow related at lower temperatures, then dino or Mobil-1 5W-30 should
help quiet down. If it's piston slap, a lower viscosity oil probably
won't help. You need to go thicker like High Mileage oils do and even
that might not do much.

But one thing at a time, first try to identify the source of the
noise. You can check the source of the chatter by using a mechanic's
stethoscope (HF has it on sale I think, for $1.99 coupon) or a long
screwdriver. Be careful of moving engine parts. If the noise comes
from the top (cover screws) then it's likely valve chatter, but if the
noise comes from the engine block then it's piston slap. It's not
recommended to just place the stethoscope on the valve cover, because
you'll hear all sorts of noises. Valves can be adjusted easily;
however, piston slap means excessive piston-bore clearance = poor
production (like the new Toyota/Lexus 3.5L V6) or more likely in your
case high mileage wear and tear.

If going lower viscosity try Mobil-1 5W-30 and a Purolator PureOne or
Bosch filter. Use the taller like PureOne PL14477 version for the 2.4L
engine, not the shorty 14476 for 2.2L. 7K on the wimpy filter is a bit
long. Besides, Toyota lowered the NORMAL service interval down to 5000
miles for all their vehicles (I say for a good reason). Severe service
I'd cut to 2500-3000 miles.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=41966



On Dec 9, 8:57 am, mrdarr...(a)gmail.com wrote:
> My '96 Camry (159,000 miles) is parked outside where the temp is 30-40
> degrees (sometimes has ice on the windshield).
>
> When starting the car the engine makes a clattering sound, which goes
> away once the engine is warm.
>
> Is this "piston slap"?
>
> Can this be fixed with a heavier weight oil?  (It's due for an oil
> change anyway.)
>
> Will the noise shorten the life of the engine?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Michael

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