2002 Pontiac Firebird Tapping Noise

WMAR

MEMBER
2002 PONTIAC FIREBIRD
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
77,000 MILES

Having problem with tapping noise in engine on car. First started tapping along with decrease in oil pressure. Changed oil and oil filter, oil pressure went back to normal. Tapping noise is still loud. Any clues on what could be wrong? Also when driving. Feels like loss of power and shifting is noticeable also.

Monday, May 18th, 2009 AT 8:38 PM

2 Replies

THUNDERCAT982

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I've got just about the same problem on my 99 bird. Tapping noise that increases in volume and speed when I push the accelerator on a cold start and a loss of power and shifting. However the noise and most of the power loss goes away once the car has warmed up. Anyone got any ideas? Could it be the manifold or maybe the lifters?

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Wednesday, May 27th, 2009 AT 10:50 PM

TRANSAMBARBIE

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1 POST

I can answer your question. The 1998 to 2002 Firebird Formula, Trans Am, and WS6's came with an LS1 engine. Some of them have something called piston slap (which sounds more like a knock) is caused by too much clearance between the cylinder bore and the pison. It's worse when the engine is cold and lesses when it reaches operating temperature.

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Thursday, June 18th, 2009 AT 1:41 PM