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Hi! I have a 2002 Honda Civic LX with over 70,000 miles on it. This fall, the motor started making a tapping noise during the first two minutes of running, then the tapping noise goes away. I had Honda look at it. They said it's either piston slap or it needs a valve adjustment. I had them adjust the valves, but the sound is still there. So it's piston slap. Grr.

Car runs fine, but this really bugs me. What is the best course of action to take?

Can I buy a new engine? Are new engines even available?

Should I replace it with the same engine, or is there a better engine? Other than the piston slap, I'm happy with my current motor.

If I were to, say, get the 2002 HX-model vtech engine instead of the regular non-vtech (what I have), is the HX vtech engine more reliable than the standard non-vtech? Would using an engine other than the same type I have installed now cause problems or require modifications to the car? (different mounts, new computer, have to significantly change hose type, etc?)

Is buying a rebuilt engine ok? Do rebuilt engines use Honda parts, or some cheapo parts?

How much can I expect to pay for this?

Also, what can I do to prevent this from happening again? I've never redlined the engine. (had it since new), but I have revved it up to a bit over 5,000 rpm on many occasions, often flooring it and really kinda of flogging the engine, rapid gear shifting, etc. Have I pushed the car too hard? I thought Civic engines were built to take this sort of occasional "punishment"?

I change the oil every 5,000 miles. Is it better to do 3,000 instead?

thanks in advance for any elite infoz!

ct

 
Rep Power: 257

If it just happens in the first few minutes of the engine running then that doesn't sound like "piston slap." Why not take the head off and examine it yourself? The dealer will say anything to get $$$ from you. Besides that, if it goes away within the first few minutes why not ignore it?

 
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agreed, its not "piston slap" ud have waaay more problems if that was the case. i bet it still needs valve adjustment, mine does it in cold weather, so i let it run till it warms. then again i just need a small valve adjustment on the #1 cylinder valves

 
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good thing you don't own a subaru...or you would have been extremely ticked off! subaru's have piston tap from day 1 off the lot. i guess it's just a characteristic of their boxer engine...