18th Mar 2005, 21:42
I've owned 4 of these little guys. It's a common noise as 1 cylinder is a different size than the others. This is for engine balance.
17th Dec 2005, 14:10
When I first bought a 1995 GEO it made a small piston noise when it was cold. As it warmed up the noise disappeared. As the car got older, when starting cold, the noise got a little noisier and lasted longer, but disappeared as it warmed up. I have about one hundred and twenty thousand km on the engine.
The timing belt, water pump and lifters have been changed. I tried using higher grade and then synthetic oil and the noise is still there until the engine is warm.
I was told it was the piston slap and that is the way the car is. The shop also told me that there is a new forged piston that would get rid of the noise.
I just do not want to see the connecting rods flying out the side of the block if I do nothing. Is the noise normal for the three cylinder engine? Is there something I should be doing to ensure the longest life for the car? I want to keep the car.
21st Feb 2005, 22:14
Possible loose timing belt?
Noise under load is probably low octane fuel - mine will only use 89.
Always use thin oil in these engines, lighter than 10w30. They have a design flaw where the oil drain holes in the valve sleeves are too small, and the slow moving oil will leave the valves open, causing them to burn.