Green & Jigarjian LLP Files Class Action Lawsuit Against General Motors for Defect in Engine Resulting in Excessive Engine Noise Caused by Piston Slap
A class action complaint against General Motors Corporation was filed by the law firm Green & Jigarjian LLP and the Oklahoma based firms of Federman & Sherwood and Walker & Walker. The lawsuit, brought on behalf of purchasers of 1999 through 2003 model GM vehicles with a 3.1, 3.4, 4.8, 5.3, 5.7 (LS1), 6.0, or 8.1 liter engine that exhibits a loud noise due to Piston Slap, alleges that GM actively concealed the engine defect while continuing to advertise, market, and warrant that GM engines are free from defects. Some of the models that may have a Piston Slap defect are the Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette, Silverado, Tahoe and Surburban; GM Denali and Yukon; Cadillac Escalade and Pontiac TransAm.
San Fransisco, CA (PRWEB) March 6, 2004--"Piston Slap" is a loud knocking noise produced during and shortly after engine start-up that is caused by the engine pistons knocking against the cylinder walls as a result of excessive clearance between the piston and the cylinder wall. Plaintiff alleges that when GM redesigned these engines in 1999, it did not correct its tolerance levels and this failure to reduce the tolerances has resulted in the current problems with Piston Slap, causing excessive engine wear, increased oil consumption, and poor fuel mileage. Additionally, Piston Slap can cause a reduction in the resale value of their vehicles.
Plaintiff further alleges that in at least four Technical Services Bulletins (TSBs) released by GM in 2001, the company indicates the reason why it failed to admit and fix the defect, namely the replacement of the engine assembly or pistons does not eliminate the noise, thus those affected by Piston Slap would require the installation of new engines to remedy the situation. Rather than fix the problem, however, GM has modified what it considers "normal" engine noise and oil consumption levels, and thus refuses to remedy the engine defect covered under GM warranties.
Based on GM's alleged unfair and unlawful conduct, Plaintiff seeks the repair or replacement of the defective engines or reimbursement for the cost of repair or replacement, the disgorgement of profits unjustly earned by GM, and restitution for the overcharge paid by consumers for their GM vehicles.
If you own or lease a 1999 through 2003 model GM vehicle with a 3.1, 3.4, 4.8, 5.3, 5.7 (LS1), 6.0, or 8.1 liter engine that exhibits an engine noise due to Piston Slap and would like to discuss your rights, please contact Monica Herman at (415) 477-6700 or by e-mail at gj@classcounsel.com. Green & Jigarjian LLP is a firm of national class action attorneys based in California. For more information about this case and other class action and complex litigation, please go to our website at " target="_blank">www.classcounsel.com.[/quote]
Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on :
I still would rather live with the little piston slap my SS has than have some dealer mechanic really screw up the car.
[ 11. March 2004, 06:29 AM: Message edited by: 2002Z4CSS ]
Posted by lilredss (Member # 1969) on :
quote:Couldn't have said it better myself.
Originally posted by 2002Z4CSS:
I still would rather live with the little piston slam my SS has than have some dealer mechanic really screw up the car.
Posted by KurtK (Member # 1779) on :
I'm not surprised that a law firm got involved and that GM may have to address this issue in a meaningful fashion.
If you p***-off enough people, usually there is a result that may be negative for you.
(I wish there was something similar for the OptiSpark
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.... )
Posted by blkragss02 (Member # 1801) on :
quote:Ditto that!
Originally posted by 2002Z4CSS:
I still would rather live with the little piston slam my SS has than have some dealer mechanic really screw up the car.
Posted by NATESS (Member # 982) on :
Steve, could my engine noise be related to this at all?
Posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :
quote:It was most likely noted on your repair orders.
Originally posted by NATESS:
Steve, could my engine noise be related to this at all?
Posted by Opie (Member # 2007) on :
Only problem is the lieyers will get the money and the people with the problem will get a coupon for something they don't want... and the piston slap will continue...
Posted by laraandre (Member # 1577) on :
Should do a class action lawsuit for the peeling of the 10 spoke chromes!!!!
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Posted by westell (Member # 2034) on :
many of you know i got a complete new LS1 at 35,805 miles under warranty. i mean complete with fuel rails, ps pump, etc...
4 of 8 of my cylinder walls out by .002 top to bottom, and i saw the pistons with the coating worn off and the pistons worn themselves after the coating. oh well.
i was told the slap would come back at around 20-25k miles. well it's back, but sill love the car.
the lawsuit is interesting. i wonder the merits, but i am not a lawyer.
i want to build another, sleeve it, bore it, be done with it. maybe little nitrous bump.
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Posted by TimeLord (Member # 1389) on :
Isn't that just a NORMAL problem,nothing to be worried about,that is what GM has been saying???
Don't tell me GM might have been HIDING something from its clients !!!
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[ 10. March 2004, 04:03 PM: Message edited by: TimeLord ]
Posted by Bill Mason (Member # 1807) on :
Amazing. It was not all that long ago that it was considered normal for engines to be noisy at startup when they were cold. It WAS recognized that tolerances were large until things heated up and expanded bringing tolerances into their operating range.
That is why we "old farts" take it easy on our cars until they are up to operating temperature (BTW..that is when the oil pressure falls).
I hope none of these people ever drive an engine with forged pistons. They WILL have piston slap until warmed up due to the thermal expansion characteristics of forged aluminum (high expansion rate).
My wife's '94 Vette has had quite noticable piston slap for years with no problems. It is a characteristic of the engine and you just have to learn how to drive it when cold.
Maybe that is the real problem...."we" (as in the royal we) do not know how to operate machinery anymore
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Posted by Mike2001SS (Member # 2088) on :
quote:Thats so true and they think it is useing oil if it takes about a quart in 3,000 miles. I would have liked to see some of then drive some of my old Vettes back in the 60's with 12-1 forged pistons and a solid cam that the valve settings was 30-30 thousandths noise HAHA
Originally posted by Bill Mason:
Amazing. It was not all that long ago that it was considered normal for engines to be noisy at startup when they were cold. It WAS recognized that tolerances were large until things heated up and expanded bringing tolerances into their operating range.
That is why we "old farts" take it easy on our cars until they are up to operating temperature (BTW..that is when the oil pressure falls).
I hope none of these people ever drive an engine with forged pistons. They WILL have piston slap until warmed up due to the thermal expansion characteristics of forged aluminum (high expansion rate).
My wife's '94 Vette has had quite noticable piston slap for years with no problems. It is a characteristic of the engine and you just have to learn how to drive it when cold.
Maybe that is the real problem...."we" (as in the royal we) do not know how to operate machinery anymore
Posted by MOO4340 (Member # 471) on :
My dealer has addressed this condition on my 2000SS early last year. The car still only has less than 3,000 miles on the odometer, yep, that's right, 3000 miles. Anyway, if this were an all steel block, you probalby would not even notice it. Someone told me it was probably carbon build-up, yeah right, with less than 3000 miles, I really don't think so. The way the car is driven may have a lot to do with this also. Would like to see what happens anyway:
KICKBACKSS
2000SS Coupe: M6
Posted by Big A (Member # 1761) on :
Class action lawsuits are just another way for the lawyers to get rich while those that sign on to the lawsuit will in reality see less than 1 cent of every dollar of any settlement and they loose there individual right to sue.
Posted by twobratSS (Member # 2180) on :
I hear a little tap while it's warming up, but nothing big. Can you say FRIVOLOUS? (Did I spell that right? Don't want anyone taking me to court for mispelling a word on a forum...)
Posted by Fbodfather (Member # 1119) on :
There is so much I'd LIKE to say over this.....
But all I'll say is "tort reform!"
(and don't wonder why cars and trucks cost so much the next time you shop for one!) (Same goes for drugs, hospital charges, etc)
Posted by TimeLord (Member # 1389) on :
FBodfather !!!!
Lawyers have killed the American way of life and the notion of responsibility,agreed!!
Car companies are a LITTLE LESS sleezy than lawyers or politicians,that is about their best redeaming feature.
High speed harmonic vibration=driveshaft,,I rest my case.
[ 10. March 2004, 11:33 PM: Message edited by: TimeLord ]
Posted by Stealth Performance (Member # 1072) on :
GM will try to pass off their crap on ya all the time what's new .......
2005 Mustang
[ 10. March 2004, 11:43 PM: Message edited by: Stealth Performance ]
Posted by TimeLord (Member # 1389) on :
Or if I win the Lottery GT !
[ 10. March 2004, 11:48 PM: Message edited by: TimeLord ]
Posted by Rhode Island Red (Member # 220) on :
quote:I couldn't agree more...
Originally posted by Fbodfather:
There is so much I'd LIKE to say over this.....
But all I'll say is "tort reform!"
(and don't wonder why cars and trucks cost so much the next time you shop for one!) (Same goes for drugs, hospital charges, etc)
I just think of the Mcdonalds lady every time someone feels "victimized" over the stupidest of things (reality is that they do not want to be responsible for their own actions)
sometimes class action lawsuits are good.. but they have been overused to the point that congress wants to put a bill banning lawsuits against the food industry because the food makes them fat
~~~~~~
Back to Topic:
as far as I'm concerned, my car does burns oil (1-3 quarts every 3k ) (simple fix is toi just add oil) and its best mpg was 26 and it does knock... but the noise is minor, I'm more worried about the oil consumption
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not some lawsuit because I might make some $$$[ 11. March 2004, 07:49 AM: Message edited by: Rhode Island Red ]
Posted by poSSum (Member # 119) on :
quote:Translation please.
the company indicates the reason why it failed to admit and fix the defect, namely the replacement of the engine assembly or pistons does not eliminate the noise, thus those affected by Piston Slap would require the installation of new engines to remedy the situation.
Posted by Harry P (Member # 533) on :
I've never experinced PS. Am I the norm, or the exception?
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Posted by TimeLord (Member # 1389) on :
They probably meant ROTATING ASSEMBLY,the other way it does make no sense!!!!
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[ 11. March 2004, 12:31 PM: Message edited by: TimeLord ]
Posted by Bill Mason (Member # 1807) on :
About the stupidity of some class action suits. Remember the one against Audi for sudden acceleration when stepping on the brake pedal.
This one cost Audi a major amount of money.....it essentially removed them from the North American market for a good number of years, even though Audi was eentually cleared. It was conclusively found to be driver error.
As memory serves Audi was given leave by the courts to sue the orignators of the class action suit for malicious legal action (or something like that).
Personally, I think that should happen more when the class action suits are found to be frivilous or groundless.
BTW, there were some people who would have liked to have sudden acceleration....like owners of VW diesels
Posted by Jim Mac (Member # 113) on :
quote:Damn right!
Originally posted by Fbodfather:
There is so much I'd LIKE to say over this.....
But all I'll say is "tort reform!"
This same type of bullschit is starting to drive doctors out of our state.
Posted by FireChicken (Member # 2067) on :
quote:I think what they are trying to say is that simple part replacement is not an adaquate solution, that is, the design has to be re-engineered, such that the original design for the pistons is inadaquate. Of course, it doesnt leave a clear solution on how to fix the problem. What do they propose, just buy a bunch of Ford 5.4 Liters and throw those in? its a new engine, and not simple part replacement, but... no.
Originally posted by poSSum:
quote:Translation please.
the company indicates the reason why it failed to admit and fix the defect, namely the replacement of the engine assembly or pistons does not eliminate the noise, thus those affected by Piston Slap would require the installation of new engines to remedy the situation.
Posted by poSSum (Member # 119) on :
quote:Gotcha. That would read realistically.
Originally posted by TimeLord:
They probably meant ROTATING ASSEMBLY,the other way it does make no sense!!!!
So did 60 minutes do a story on this? Weren't they behind the Audi sudden accelleration and GM pickup (rigged) explosion stories?
[ 12. March 2004, 08:03 AM: Message edited by: poSSum ]
Posted by TimeLord (Member # 1389) on :
If I remember correctly,wasn't it Dateline NBC that had fun with explosives[for Dramatic impact only,it would have PROBABLY blown up anyway,,,YEAH RIGHT!!!
][ 12. March 2004, 09:34 AM: Message edited by: TimeLord ]
Posted by LS1Z28 (Member # 1029) on :
If there is a settlement All you will probably see is a coupon for $500.00 off the purchase of a new "GM" car or truck! You will still have piston slap and the lawyers will be rich!!!
Posted by SteelHorse (Member # 1725) on :
quote:60 Minutes even admitted to rigging the Audi for the story in which they demonstrated how it happens. The Audi problem was really just driver error.
Originally posted by poSSum:
quote:Gotcha. That would read realistically.
Originally posted by TimeLord:
They probably meant ROTATING ASSEMBLY,the other way it does make no sense!!!!
So did 60 minutes do a story on this? Weren't they behind the Audi sudden accelleration and GM pickup (rigged) explosion stories?
Posted by Y2KSS1363 (Member # 1564) on :
quote:I got one of those $500 coupons but it expired
Originally posted by LS1Z28:
If there is a settlement All you will probably see is a coupon for $500.00 off the purchase of a new "GM" car or truck! You will still have piston slap and the lawyers will be rich!!!
before I coud use it.
Posted by Mike2001SS (Member # 2088) on :
As for the engine tic when cold all these people have not been around performance motors much I can tell you. All aluminum pistons with the proper clearance when hot will have a little slap when cold and in the old days we did not have aluminum blocks but you still heard some noise as well as lifter noise. I traded a 98 SS for the 2001 I have now and the 98 had over 70,000 miles on it when I traded and it never used oil and the tic never got worse with all those miles. The 2001 I have only has the tic when temps are in the low 20's or teens. It has over 60,000 fast miles on it now and the tic never has got any louder when very cold and it does not use oil. At 3,000 miles on a oil change it is still full
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